I met Leon at a park for our first date. He says I was 15 minutes late, but he was actually 15 minutes early. I knew about 20 minutes into our time together that he was special — particularly when he said he also loves Coldplay or when he didn’t laugh when I fell down a hill (thanks Javi). Falling in love with Leon was like a fairytale. For the first three months I questioned if it was too good to be true. He was handsome, loved Jesus, had a great career, was confident and disciplined, kindhearted, had great friends, and could share his emotions and deep thoughts over a glass of red wine....how was this man single?!?! Fast forward 2 years and we’re planning our wedding together. Leon swept me off my feet with his integrity and kind heart. He is always the person that lights up the room when he walks in and makes others feel seen and known. He is my biggest supporter and makes me a better person. Leon is curious about the world and appreciated the things in me that I never imagined someone would notice. He is my ally and my safe haven. Leon wanting to be with me is proof that Jesus loves me more than I deserve. I love you, Leon. I cannot wait to be Mrs. Madison Van Rensburg!

In 2020 we were all covered by a dark cloud of worldly problems, but as the proverb goes; every cloud has a silver lining, it brought truth when Madison entered my life. It all started at Coyote Hills, not far from where we currently live. As I waited anxiously for my so-to-be late stranger, I made eye contact with this over-excited & friendly couple, one having a wagging tail and the other having an exuberant face. Wait a minute, why are they walking over to my side, I asked myself, could this be Madison? And sure enough, this beautiful person and her protector were there for me. We hit things off from day one, sharing life experiences and finding common interests. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe I'll meet someone who complements my life this much. In time, the hurdle of having different backgrounds and life experiences added to the reason that makes our relationship interesting. Dunking chicken wings in ranch sauce, having mac & cheese as a side dish to a Braai, flying with your dog, these may seem normal to you but are definitely out of the ordinary yet wonderful additions to my life. Our differences present mysterious opportunities to learn something new from this world and each other. Maddy fills my life with joy, laughter, kindness, support, trust, and respect. But above all else, Maddy gives meaning to the word 'love', and sharing life with her is an adventurous journey that has just begun.