We both come from the coastal town of Lüderitz, so it’s likely that our paths crossed long before we even realized it. But our first real interaction happened years later, when Gebhard was working at the bank. Ntombi had come in for some errands, and a brief conversation—initiated by Vata, now our best man—sparked a moment that Gebhard never forgot. He somehow knew, even then, that this was the woman he would one day marry. Ntombi, however, carried on with life, blissfully unaware of the impression she had made. Some time later, while at school in Hong Kong, she accidentally blocked her bank card and found herself stranded. Remembering that friendly banker from Lüderitz, she reached out to Gebhard on Facebook for help. He pulled a few strings, resolved the issue, and she went on her way. Days later, after returning from a camping trip with her phone off all weekend, Ntombi found messages from Gebhard checking in to make sure she was safe. She thought it was a little strange—but incredibly sweet—for someone she hardly knew to be so concerned. That caring message turned into a conversation, that conversation grew into a friendship, and that friendship became a love story—one that has led us here, to this moment, ready to say forever. 💍