1) How did you meet and fall in love?
Andre and I met at the local pub! We both were working in the mining industry in Australia, but as it turned out, met on our days away from work in our little suburb. We both had a passion for travel, being on the water and as much adventure as life could throw at us.
We quickly realised we would be each other’s “person” so started a family and moved to New Zealand (Tauranga is Andre’s home) to build a life together. We now have two kids and the engagement just completes our family story!
2) Tell us about your proposal?
Andre took me away for my Birthday to Ohakune this August. We spent 10 years in Western Australia, so snow is a huge novelty to us.
On the morning of my birthday, stumbling over his words Andre announced “yes I will marry you”, I replied “…are you asking me to marry you” giggling. He replied “I’m so nervous... that’s what I meant… will you marry me?”… It was perfect! Of course, I said yes. I loved that our kids were with us. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
2) Tell us about your Nolan and Vada engagement ring and why you chose it?
As so many women do, I had hinted over the years about my dream ring. I explained that our relationship is unique and original so why shouldn’t the ring be i.e. ‘hint’... please not a centre diamond and please nothing mass-produced ‘wink wink.’
Andre and I both have a love for blues and greens. I guess because it reminds us of the ocean and calmness. A teal sapphire obviously made perfect sense to Andre and I don’t think he could have chosen better stone if he tried.
I had also hinted that I would love a ring that represented Andre and our two kids. The trilogy ring is the best representation of the three of them and why our marriage is about more than just him and I. I love it! Best we don’t have a third child now I guess… haha.