Our story started many moons ago, during the dark period known as the COVID lockdowns. We matched on Tinder in July 2020 and, with nothing else to do, spent months chatting to one another. The match itself can be credited to a very specific photo of Bec and her pug Nugget wearing matching Hawaiian shirts in front of a Shrek 2 poster (a gift from Vanessa). Tom, clearly intrigued by the uniqueness of this image, especially in a place like Tinder, was immediately invested. So much so that he promptly updated his bio to “more of a Shrek 1 guy” in an attempt to secure the match. Bec, unsurprisingly, took the bait. Before long, this developed into Zoom video calls a couple of times a week, until we could finally meet in person once the radius restrictions lifted at the end of October. Our first date quickly followed which was a picnic at Parker Reserve near Bec’s share house in Coburg North, with her dog Nugget naturally joining as the third wheel.

On 21 November 2020, following a few IRL COVID-friendly dates, Tom officially asked Bec to be his girlfriend. Spoiler alert: she said a very enthusiastic yes.

In January 2021, we had our first weekend away together on the Mornington Peninsula. We took Bec’s beloved (or perhaps not so beloved) shitbox Nissan Pulsar, as Tom had recently broken his elbow skateboarding with his cousins. Naturally, the Pulsar broke down and stranded us. After frantic calls to RACV, failed attempts to find public transport, and desperate pleas via Melbourne Gal Pals and Airtasker, an Uber finally rescued us hours later. Despite this very long and stressful day (or perhaps because of it), we said “I love you” for the first time. We then spent the rest of the night attempting to make Monty Mole as a Mii character.

In October 2022, we had our first overseas trip together, travelling to Phuket with Bec’s family for a belated holiday (thanks COVID). We spent the week enjoying cocktails, buffet meals, and plenty of sunshine. Bec also likes to think this trip was a test for Tom to see whether he could survive a week away with her family… against all odds he did.

In April 2023, after Tom spent some time suffering while living alone, Bec moved in. This so happened to be the day after they both attended the Groovin' The Moo music festival, a decision that seemed good at the time of organising it weeks prior to the day

For our birthdays in August and September 2023, we travelled to Japan- a lifelong dream of Tom’s. We spent weeks immersing ourselves in the culture (eating lots of food), and sight seeing (visiting every retro game shop Tom could find).

In September 2024, Bec surprised Tom with a trip to Cairns for his 30th birthday. We spent our time avoiding Melbourne's cold weather, exploring the beautiful natural wonders, and once more eating lots of incredible food.

In August 2025, Tom surprised Bec by taking her ring shopping. When asked if she had any ideas of what she might like, Bec casually produced a photo album of engagement rings that she had been collecting since 2021. So, it’s fair to say marrying Tom was something she had thought about for quite some time. Her spidey senses were also tingling, as a trip to Hawaii was planned later that year...

In October 2025, we set off for Hawaii and spent our days eating plenty of poke, exploring three ofnthe islands, and making the most of paradise.

The morning of 25 October started normally enough, with Tom suggesting they explore a nearby beach he had heard was nice. Little did Bec know he was actually scouting the area, as this was where he had planned to propose later that day. In the end though, they got a little sidetracked and they never ended up reaching the exact spot he had in mind. Later that evening, as the sun was setting over Kapalua Bay, Tom was trying very hard not to rush Bec to get ready. Once they arrived, he quickly guided her to a quieter spot, got down on one knee and, well... we all know the rest.