We were sixteen, in our final year of high school, and already good friends. Everything shifted during a Christmas play. He asked my partner to swap partners so we could perform together, singing and dancing to Santa Baby. Later that night, I received a text: “Hello Santa Baby.” And just like that, it all began.

Life soon carried us on different paths. I moved to Perth, and CJ worked at sea. Long distance wasn’t easy. We missed birthdays, special moments, and little everyday things, but he always found a way to reach me, even calling on a satellite phone just to say happy birthday.

In Nov 2022, we quietly married with Jacarandas in bloom, with only two of our friends. It was a moment entirely ours — supermarket flowers for my bouquet, a little squabble when I realized he was wearing a G-Shock during our wedding photos, and a small Fremantle lunch cruise to celebrate afterward. Perfectly imperfect, and exactly how we wanted it.

Now, surrounded by our dearest family and friends, we’re ready to say ‘I do’ once more and celebrate a long-overdue moment of love and laughter.