Our paths crossed on a random Monday afternoon in 2015 on a wine tour in the Swan Valley, WA. Luke had moved back to Perth earlier in the year and Matthea was on a Working Holiday Visa in Australia. Our tourguide Ed assigned two people to one lunch platter, making Matthea and Luke sit across from each other.

Our trust and affection grew, and so did Matthea's length of stay in Australia. Luke and Matthea started to live together, setting right expectations from the start. Exploring Perth together and getting to know Luke's family. But please don't ask how the afternoon of the photo above ended.

Circumstances and determination allowed for us to continue our journey together in Germany, having Luke emerse himself in Matthea's home, culture, language and friends.

Returning to Australia for vacations and furnishing our home in Scarborough. This place became our vision for future decisions and hardship.

We have started the year with our adventure to Sri Lanka and France, to return to Perth mid-year for seven months and a first taste of a daily life in Scarborough.

Starting the jolly new year in Perth. We did not expect what Covid would bring - five months apart, while the longest time ever apart was 7 weeks. The wait was worth it and made us grow closer and more resilient.

We received Matthea's Permanent Visa in August 2021, which was special for us as we were able to plan our future together.

After a hard goodbye leaving Matthea's hometown for the next chapter of her life, she was rewarded with a fun exploration of the East Coast of Australia before settling in Perth for good.

More memories made travelling and trips to our other home in Germany.

The year Luke formalised that Matthea was his forever and asked her to be his wife.