Sylvie & Joel first met at the end of 2012 but didn’t get together until about 6 months later. "I was in another relationship at the time and Joel was about to jet off on a two-month solo adventure around Borneo.
One of Joel’s sisters was living with me and asked if her brother could crash on the couch for a few days before he left for his trip. Our house has always had an open home policy, so of course I said yes. Little did I know it would be the start of a great love story… I was at uni so would often be at home studying." Images by Caroline Sada.
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the next part of our story is taken from the speech Joel wrote for our wedding:
It was the night of a friend’s birthday, so we all went up to the pub for a few drinks. I was there hanging out, knowing in the back of my mind Sylvie would be arriving shortly and I decided I would like to chat to her more.
It was the night of a friend’s birthday, so we all went up to the pub for a few drinks. I was there hanging out, knowing in the back of my mind Sylvie would be arriving shortly and I decided I would like to chat to her more.
When she walked in the adrenalin kicked in instantly. I offered to buy her a drink, and to my delight she refused and insisted she by me a beer! We chatted, had a bit of a dance and there were definite sparks flying.
As we left the pub, I turned to my friend and said with no doubt in my mind, “That’s the type of girl I want to marry” I wasn’t sure though because I knew she was seeing someone, so I thought I had better back off. However, this friend, with his expert Italian wisdom, said “Nahh are you kidding, GO FOR IT!”
We all ended up back at Sylvie’s house, drinking wine and those delicious Espresso Martini’s that she makes. Sylvie and I chatted all night, every now and then stealing a fevered secret hand squeeze under the table. It was electric. After that night, just before leaving for Borneo I needed some clarity on the situation so I went to the one I always go to for true advice, my little sister Laura. She confirmed there was something special going on!
I left for Borneo, and in the first couple of days, while sitting on Sipadan Island in the Celebes Sea, I sent out an email (with Sylvie included) saying I had arrived safely, and all was going well. Within a few hours she had shot one back. This kicked off two months of hourly messaging between us. Every chance I got I would sneak into a hotel and steal some WIFI just to get my latest update. At one-point news came back that Sylvie was no longer seeing anyone and was single… I was pretty happy to get that message… and so we organised a coffee on the day I returned.
That coffee turned into a bottle of wine, bottle of wine to first kiss, first kiss to moving in, to going travelling together, to getting a dog, to buying a house, now to getting married. And next… who knows!
I left for Borneo, and in the first couple of days, while sitting on Sipadan Island in the Celebes Sea, I sent out an email (with Sylvie included) saying I had arrived safely, and all was going well. Within a few hours she had shot one back. This kicked off two months of hourly messaging between us. Every chance I got I would sneak into a hotel and steal some WIFI just to get my latest update. At one-point news came back that Sylvie was no longer seeing anyone and was single… I was pretty happy to get that message… and so we organised a coffee on the day I returned.
That coffee turned into a bottle of wine, bottle of wine to first kiss, first kiss to moving in, to going travelling together, to getting a dog, to buying a house, now to getting married. And next… who knows!
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how long were you together before your engagement? About 2 and a half years.
tell us about the proposal: It was the day after signing the papers to become first homeowners. We decided to spend our first night in the house, despite it being totally void of any furniture, bedding or kitchen things.
tell us about the proposal: It was the day after signing the papers to become first homeowners. We decided to spend our first night in the house, despite it being totally void of any furniture, bedding or kitchen things.
Joel packed the car with all our camping gear and an esky full of cheese, nibbles, wine and champagne and picked me up from work. We drove straight to the new house, sat on our camping chairs in the backyard with a drink in hand and pinched ourselves that we had just bought a house!
Already in celebration mode, Joel went inside to set up the most delicious grazing table lit by candlelight. I came inside and sat down to help myself to the yummy nibbles. I thought it was a bit odd that he hadn’t sat down yet and was kind of fidgeting and fussing around the place. I turned to him to say sit down and relax when, to my absolute surprise, he was down on one knee!!
He proposed and we both had complete tunnel vision. I think he asked twice before I could get the word ‘YES’ out! On top of this epic surprise, Joel had actually booked us a room that night at a fancy hotel. So, we got dressed up, went into the city and ended up spending a night on the town drinking cocktails!
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