Aubrey and Matt met in a short story class at La Trobe University in 2009. They were tasked with introducing each other to the class. Matt thought Aubrey was from the country (not true says Aubrey, but debatable says Matt) and Aubrey said Matt was from the country, which was true. A friendship formed over the next few years. Matt moved to the USA on exchange while Aubrey took a step back from her studies. They kept in touch, skyping regularly and on Valentine's Day 2011, a single rose appeared on Aubrey's doorstep. 
 
Finally, reunited in Melbourne, they were again to be separated with Matt taking a job up in Kalgoorlie, WA. Aubrey knew she had a choice, express her feelings to Matt before he left or perhaps not say anything at all. She chose to say she liked Matt more than a friend. And the rest as they say is...Fast forward 10+ years, enduring a long distance relationship, travelling to places like New Zealand and Thailand, moving to Ballarat, moving back to Melbourne, changing jobs, getting a dog...and becoming parents...Matt and Aubrey are finally ready to make it offical as husband and wife. 

They planned a summer family holiday to Noosa, Queensland in January 2022. They had booked the holiday shortly after Melbourne came out of its last lockdown. They were nervous about catching the dreaded spicy cough before flying to Queensland and absolutely did not want to have to RAT test Little Miss. Luckily, everything went smoothly.  Aubrey's friends told her that they were hopeful this would be It. In fact, she had almost resigned herself to Matt never popping the question. After all, they had a beautiful daughter, Darcy, who ruled their lives. Who needs a marriage when a baby says forever? Little did she know, Matt had been taking secret Zoom meetings designing a ring and it was currently burning a hole in his pocket (or sock as he tucked it away, hidden in his backpack). After a dinner out at a local restaurant on Hastings St, Matt, Aubrey and Darcy headed over to the main beach to watch the sunset. Except, this beach faces north and the sun sets...in the west. It was not the epic sunset Matt had hoped. Still, as Aubrey kept saying, 'we should head home', Matt asked to stay for 5 more minutes. What happened next is a little fuzzy, but what we can say is, a question was asked, answered and sealed with a kiss.