We met at a work function, and at first, considered ourselves just colleagues. I made a joke with Ruan at break time one day, and then received a message from an unknown number, asking what I had said (see ‘Photos’ for a screenshot of our first messages). Ruan says he felt drawn to me and wanted to be friends, but I “did not have much time” for him. Some time passed, and two work group dinners later, we found ourselves in a good friendship.

We adopted kittens at the same time and bonded over our fur babies. Ruan started attending church with me and the relationship progressed. A serious conversation one day led to our sharing of feelings for one another. We decided to stay friends and continue building our friendship. We started spending more time together and the feelings grew. After a few weeks, we decided to make our relationship official (it did take me 24 hours to give Ruan an answer).

We were on holiday in Keurbooms with Rebekah’s parents, the perfect opportunity for a nice picnic on the beach with her parents, for the last day of the holiday. Little did she know that it was not just an ordinary picnic, but one that will be the next step to the rest of our lives. As the sun was setting on the horizon, it was “time for her parents to get back home.” My heart was racing as this was my sign - I’m asking my best friend, my girlfriend and the love of my life to spend the rest of my days with me. As I got onto one knee asking the question, it took Rebekah a while to register what is going on, this was the moment I shot up a prayer that this was not another 24 hour answer. Then the realisation kicked in that the Lord has blessed me with the most precious fiancée.