Our StoryOur Story
November 2020November 2020
How We Met 🏢❤️🏢
In late 2020, I moved into a new flat in Liverpool. The heating system was from the 1950s (and wouldn't start), so I knocked on my neighbour’s door for help. That's when I met Tom. He came over to help (wearing a mask - because covid), we started chatting— quickly becoming friends during lockdown. He was planning to move back to Australia in February, so we always knew our time was limited. But somewhere in those three months, it became something more. And we're so glad it did. 💙
April 2021April 2021
Became Official! 🎉
When Tom flew back to Australia in January we thought that might be it. But we couldn’t stop talking. Every day. By April, we knew this could be than just an online friendship—we decided to give long distance a real shot 💌
November 2021November 2021
Tom Visits Rachel ✈️
After eight long months apart, Australia finally reopened its borders to its citizens on November 1st. Tom wasted no time and flew straight back to Liverpool for a month💕. We met more of each other’s friends, and Tom got his official introduction to my parents before he flew back home for Christmas.
May 2022May 2022
Rachel Visits Tom ✈️
I made the big trip to Australia to visit Tom in Mortdale! We spend five amazing weeks exploring Sydney and meeting Tom’s friends and family. I even got to celebrate Tom’s birthday 🎉. (Also… let’s be honest, it was a bit of a test run to see if moving to Aus might actually work—and spoiler alert: it totally did.)
November 2022November 2022
Tom Helps Rachel Move ✈️🧳
Tom flew back to the UK to help me make the big move—and it was a BIG one. Leaving friends and family behind wasn’t easy, but having Tom there made all the difference. We flew back to Sydney together to finally start our life in the same place after two years of long distance 💫 As it happened… it would be the first of *many* moves!
December 2022December 2022
Christmas with the Whittles 🎄
After an amazing first Christmas with Tom's family in Shellharbour, we went to the Whittle family’s annual Christmas get-together at Bawley Point. All of Tom’s immediate family gathered together, and it was our first big getaway as a couple with family. The South Coast was even more beautiful than I expected, and Tom’s family made us feel so welcome. Little did we know, we would be planning to get married on a very similar beach years later! 🌊
January 2023January 2023
Moved to Brisbane ✈️
We packed up (again!) and moved to Brisbane for Tom’s work. We spent a month living in the city while searching for a rental—and honestly, exploring somewhere new together made it feel like a bit of an adventure!
February 2023February 2023
Moved to Sandgate 🚛
We found our new home in a lovely little village called Sandgate in North Brisbane—and instantly fell in love. Shops and restaurants were just a short walk away, and the bay was only ten minutes from our door. We had so much fun exploring the area—sometimes on foot, sometimes zipping around on electric scooters (highly recommended). It finally felt like we’d found our spot.
August 2023August 2023
Moved to Mango Hill 🚛
Alas, In a devastating twist of fate, our landlords sold the house and we had to move—again. This time, we headed further north to Mango Hill in the Moreton Bay Region. Thankfully, Tom’s amazing colleagues-turned-friends rallied around us and helped with the move. A week later, we threw a lovely little housewarming to say thanks—and to officially break in yet another new home 🏠.
December 2023December 2023
Our First Holiday 🏖️
After spending most of our money over the last two years on flights, we finally treated ourselves to a proper holiday together! We splurged on a weekend stay at the Sofitel on the Gold Coast, and it was amazing. We spent our days sipping cocktails by the pool, loading up at the breakfast buffet (no shame), and exploring all the restaurant options by night. Tom even faced his fear and, with plenty of encouragement from me, braved the Sky Tower—he survived, and I’m pretty sure he secretly loved it. 😜 I learnt I prefer calmer waters after my experience in a bit of rough surf at the beach, Tom had a good laugh.
May 2024May 2024
Tom Proposes 💍
On my 30th birthday, Tom pulled off the best surprise of all—he proposed! After a fun evening in the city, making cocktails and eating incredible yakitori, Tom popped the question. We celebrated with a stay at a nearby hotel (complete with surprise champagne on the house!), and it was honestly the most magical way to kick off a new decade—and a new chapter together. 🥂
January 2025January 2025
Moved (Back) to Sydney 🚛
New year, new chapter—we moved back to Sydney for Tom’s new role at Sydney Uni! We’ve settled into Revesby, and while it’s a new part of the city for us, it already feels like the beginning of something good. Now that we’ve found our feet again, we’re officially in wedding planning mode—here’s hoping the big day is our next big win! 💫👩🏾❤️👨🏽