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Qualia – My Engagement Story!

18 December 2014
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Many of you know that a month ago I got engaged!

It was a proposal that I couldn’t even have dreamed of, and I don’t think I have quite come back down to earth yet. The joy and excitement that has come with this moment is hard to describe. I have felt all of the love from you! A huge thank you for making this moment extra special.

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How we met…

Dean and I have been dating for 3.5 years!

I met him through a mutual friend In South Africa at my grandparents’ home – weird, because their home is a very special place for me. I was over in South Africa for a December holiday. An old friend was popping past to say hello and he brought Dean along (Dean was living in the US at the time but came to SA for a holiday). I recall turning to my bestie in SA and saying “he is such a good catch, pity he lives in the US!!” but after that I never saw him again. I even asked friends over in SA where he was. I was interested to see him again.

In April the following year he came to Sydney for a short visit. I was out one night and bumped into him and we chatted for a while. We discovered we were both going to be in Vegas at the same time in July (I has planned a once in a life time girls trip to the US) I was dating someone else at the time so I started pushing Dean onto all my friends. I remember telling my girlfriends to add him on Facebook and sending them photos of him- I was trying to set them up with him! But then I ended things with this guy I was dating and Dean and I began speaking again over text about our upcoming trip to the USA. I soon start realizing that I didn’t think I wanted to push him off to my friends anymore haha. He seemed so incredible. This was just a feeling of course. My intuition is pretty good. I thought it would be interesting to see if we would have a connection when I saw him again in July.

And I arrived in Vegas. Dean and I met up immediately. And literally…THAT WAS IT. Our energies collided. Our hearts were bound to one another. We both found our soul mates in that moment (in Vegas haha!! ). Literally. It was all so natural. No real effort. We just wanted to be together 24/7. It felt real. He was the one. I knew it. But I was worried about the reality of it. I was only in Vegas with him for a short time. He lived in the US. We were in holiday mode. I felt I needed to spend more time with him to see if this connection was as real as I thought. And I wanted to get to know him. He invited me to stay with his ENTIRE family In the Napa Valley that next week after my girl’s trip. So I extended my holiday and said yes to the most daunting situation. I was spend an entire week in a house with Dean’s entire family. All 20 of them. But it was perfect. So comfortable. The connection was a real as ever. It was as though I had been apart of their family forever. And that was the start of the happiest years of my life.

our first kiss in Vegas!!
our first kiss in Vegas!!
I used to party hard! First night in Vegas.
I used to party hard! First night in Vegas.

Dean moved back to Sydney.

He is the best thing that ever happened to me.

He is the kindest human being I have ever known.

He is the reason why I started a blog in the first place because he told me I have something special to offer the world.

He reminds me I am worth it. That I can have the most incredible life.

He believes in me 100%. Never ever doubted me.

I truly believe real love is when your partner brings out the best in you. Don’t you agree? Everything in your life gets boosted.

He treats me like an absolute queen.

Everything I dreamt of having as a little girl.

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He loves me with every inch of his being. And I love him with every inch of my being.

I have never once doubted his feelings for me. And that’s a big deal. I used to be so insecure with other boyfriends. I never felt good enough.

He supports everything I do. I trust him with my life.

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With my previous relationship I used to settle for being treated averagely. But Dean reminded me I was worthy of more than that.

For so many years I was heart broken. Love scared me. I didn’t trust it.

I truly feel like the luckiest girl in the world. We literally go to bed every single night and say, “how lucky are we to have found this”. We know how rare it is to feel this happy and this content. We do not take it for granted, ever.

I’m sorry if this sounds corny but it’s my truth.

I know I will be with him till the day I die. Big statement right? But again, he’s the best thing that ever happened to me.

The proposal.

So I was told by my PR team early NOV that I was asked by Qualia in Hamilton Island to blog about their resort. I do this often now for the blog so it was no real surprise. I asked my PR team to please postpone it to a time when Dean could come. Qualia has been on my bucket list forever. Its been voted the best resort in the world. So I thought it was odd…why would they want me. They have enough exposure?? I was flattered.

Off I went. Dean was getting ready to travel for the USA that same day for a very important meeting. I knew how important this meeting was so there was NO way he would be surprising me in Qualia. The thought did pop up because it’s just the most romantic place. But I knew this meeting was scheduled.

I enjoyed a gorgeous day at Qualia. I had a massage. Relaxed in the room. Lay by the pool. They told me to be ready by 6pm as they arranged a dinner for me to blog about.

They picked me up at 5:50pm in a golf buggie. And said they wanted to show me around the gorgeous property before dinner.

We parked by the beach I had been lying at all day.

I walked towards the little pebble peach to peak at the view….

And there he was….

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Dean was standing there beside the most perfect white table. The backdrop was turquoise water.

I started laughing and gasping.

I didn’t even walk. I felt so shocked.

Then Dean said, “come here” haha. So I walked towards him. At this point I knew what was happening. As I got to him. I gave him the biggest hug and kiss.

Next thing…he got on his knee. He presented to me the best ring I have ever seen in my life!

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And…YES I screamed.

We cried, laughed. I was in utter disbelief and shock.

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We called family and friends. I was sobbing from happiness.

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Then we put our phones away and enjoyed the most romantic dinner on the beach with champagne.

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It was more than a dream.

Even better Dean had arranged to stay there the entire weekend. What a fiancé?? We made a conscious decision to switch out phones off until 5pm the next day so we could just be present in this very special moment. Just Dean and I. What a precious memory I will treasure forever.

Qualia….

Truly magical. You arrive and immediately know why it has been voted the best resort in the world. It’s breathtaking.

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Each room faces the turquoise water of Hamilton island. The luxury of each room is absolutely 10 star. The service is sensational.

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Each room gets their own golf buggie which is so much fun! You get to drive around the entire island in it.

It has a tranquil and romantic atmosphere. You can feel the exclusive nature of it. You feel special to be there.

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The wedding:

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No huge plans as yet. We are going to get married December 2015 or January 2016.

We are having a small family wedding with close friends.

Either in Koh Samui or a Cape Town Vineyard. We want it to be a 4-day holiday for everyone rather than just 1 big night.

We will be choosing a venue soon. Tell me some of your favorite destination weddings??? I would love to hear!

And that is the story of my engagement 🙂

I wish you all only the same love and happiness. I am telling you….you are worth it!

To Dean….thank you again for your unconditional love. I count my blessings everyday to have found you. I can’t wait to share an an incredible ever lasting love story with you.

 

Thank you to all of you for your wishes and special gifts! We feel blessed to have you in our lives
Thank you to all of you for your wishes and special gifts! We feel blessed to have you in our lives

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