THE LOVE STORY

Megan's Story

It all started in the days where we would have a braai & rush home before 22:00, would wear face shields and have country wide family meetings once a week on the television. A time of doom & gloom turned into a story we'll share for a long time.

I remember the night so clearly, rushing to a braai with Mieke, because at the time nobody would say no to some sort of a social event. Here we arrive at Barry's home, walking into a "bachelor's house", cleaner and neater than I've ever seen, with a dog that is very cute, but also a little crazy (let's just say Pablo stole my heart first, and was used as bait to make sure I couldn't say no to any date requests).

Mieke still opened some cupboards in the kitchen and told me "Kyk Megs, alles is in rye gepak en labels is vorentoe gedraai". A man that keeps his home tidy is always a plus - even though I think it was more to impress the girls coming over!

As curfew crept closer that evening, I remember Barry standing by the door, chatting to everyone and for a second it crossed my mind, "Is he it, is he the one?". Driving home that night Mieke also told me "Megs, ek dink ek het sopas jou trouman ontmoet". I still denied it and told her no I don't think so. But here we are, almost four years later & planning our wedding.

Miekies, jy was toe reg!

Barry's Story

Like many others, my friends and I weren’t particularly obedient when it came to the lockdown rules during Covid 19. So, like many other nights before, it was decided that we will have a braai at my place. Philip (Megan’s brother) told me his sister was in town, back from Doha, and being a single guy, I was not hesitant in telling Philip to invite his sister to the braai as well, which he did (big mistake on his part).

The night came and the braai became more fun by the minute, and then Megan arrived with Mieke. I still remember the blue and brown scarf she wore that night, and my first impression was, “Wow, this girl is so elegant and so out of my league”, but this wouldn’t stop me from trying. As the night passed I tried every opportunity to talk to her. As we talked, I realized I have so much in common with Megan, especially considering both our adventures in Doha, and talking to her just came so naturally. That night after she left, I remember telling John, “Jis ou, don’t tell Philip, but I think I really like his sister”.

That night led to a series of stories that we will cherish forever, such as convincing Megan to go for ice cream with me, because Pablo (our dog) misses her, being mad at John and Philip because they went wine tasting with Megan without me, randomly showing up at her parents’ house to pick up Pablo in Vredendal (but actually to visit their daughter), asking Megan to become my girlfriend on the beach in Strandfontein and finally giving her the proposal she deserves in beautiful Santorini, Greece.

I would never have thought I would come to love this woman, who showed up at a braai, so much. I loved her yesterday, I love her today and will love her always. She is “my hunny always!”

By the time Megan & Barry are tying the knot, they will be together for four years, been navigating a long distance relationship for almost two years and will be counting down the days until they don't have to say goodbye anymore.
But like they say, distance makes the heart grow fonder.