Firstly, we’d love to learn more about your love story. Where did it all begin?

We met at our favourite local bar in the middle of the lockdown in 2020. It was during the time that you were required to stay seated while drinking and couldn’t mingle with strangers. That inspired some creative flirting on both of our parts. Brooke had a drink sent over to Libby’s friend in an attempt to get the table’s attention. Libby jumped on the chance to get Brooke’s number and ask Brooke on a date. We have been inseparable ever since!

Was there a moment when you realised you were in love and going to commit to a life with Brooke?

I fell super hard and super fast for Brooke. One very notable moment was the weekend of 14/15 October, right after we had first met. I ended up falling sick in the middle of the night, and without having known me for more than two weeks this gorgeous woman made me homemade potato soup and drove it half an hour to my apartment. I remember very vividly her walking away from my apartment after dropping it off and thinking to myself I’m going to marry that woman!! I mean, a fantastic, unreal first date together, then spending the night at her place with her cooking me dinner and us listening to Patsy Cline. The fact that she was caring enough to make soup, and drive it all the way to me showed so much of her character. She told me later that she never expected to see me again (she thought I wasn’t interested !!) but truly, that moment I knew I wanted to pursue her more than anything. 

Tell us about your proposal!

Libby very early on in the relationship would joke about marrying me. They would stare deeply into my eyes with that serious look and tell me one day I would be their wife. They would promise to make me the happiest woman in the world for the rest of my life. It originally scared me because no one has ever said these things to me before. But Libby brings wild passion and consistent care and attention to this relationship. They have helped me to express my own desires and passions in this relationship. It is through this learning from one another that we continue to grow and become stronger together as a couple.

I had always told them “if are going to propose, don't do it on my birthday and don't do it before two years of being together." Two years for me was some sort of arbitrary threshold I had set to be sure of someone's commitment. Libby proposed the day before my birthday! Libby had arranged a beautiful, formally catered picnic in the park with views of the harbour. We arrived and I was shocked by the elaborate gesture for what was an insignificant birthday. Libby turned on music "Forever and For Always" by Shania Twain, a song we would dance to together drunk during lock-down. I took a sip of bubbles and turned around and they were looking me with that look in their eye, saying something about how much they love me (I can't remember the exact words). They then pulled out a ring and I could not believe the size of this thing! But also.... it's near my birthday and before our 2 year anniversary!!!! Libby later told me they intentionally picked this day so it would be a surprise. It was a massive surprise! 

What are some of your fondest moments together?

We had barely been seeing each other for less than two months, but there was clearly a point in time that Brooke and I were feeling some really big feelings. On a trip down south to stay at a hotel for a few nights, Brooke and I were driving to the beach. We started talking about how we felt about each other, and to be honest, I kind of egged her on to see how far I would get. She said something to the extent of  “you know I love you,” to which I was secretly ecstatic - Libby.

Later I actually took it back....not because I regretted saying it but because I didn't know how to handle what I felt. We joke about it to this day: "Remember when you told me "I love you" and then took it back?!”….not my finest moment but was definitely a realisation that I was onto something good. Libby and I have been having fun, living our brilliant lives together ever since. It's a strength of our relationship that we don't take life too seriously and give each other the grace to make mistakes sometimes (like saying I love you and taking it back!) -  Brooke.

What do you love most about your life together?

We have a very supportive relationship that enables both of us to be our best and trueselves. Most importantly we can be curious and silly together which helps us to navigate through tough times. We are constantly playing and having a laugh; having fun is ingrained in the nature of our relationship! We have worked hard to build strong foundations for a long lasting life together.

Our lives mesh together into a beautiful partnership. We complement each other with stunning accuracy. We are both driven in work and having a life that prioritises “work hard and play hard” as a mantra. We look after each other, are tender to each other, and are so incredibly in tune with each other’s needs. Sometimes I have a moment where we’re in the middle of doing something, taking care of something, or just having fun, and I am amazed at how we just flow through life together. We truly complement each other as two complete people, Strengthening each other in our relationship, flowing as one team. We are so dedicated to growth together. We don’t settle for an issue in our relationship or in our lives, we work together to make it the best it can be the most healthy it can be. 

We also almost totally exist in a state of hysterics. Honestly, Brooke is one of the funniest people I know. She decompresses in silliness, and I really love watching the moments that she lets herself loose and be totally free. I feel like the luckiest person alive because Brooke is this comfortable in front of me every single moment.

Tell us your experience of love.

We come from very different backgrounds and have very different experiences as gay people. Libby has long identified as lesbian and in recent years as non-binary. While Brooke was for many years a sis heterosexual female turned pansexual. Our love is non-judgmental, silly, curious and kind, but most importantly empowering. We have a love that enables our true selves to be seen in all their shapes and layers. It is with this love that we have built a safe home together, a refuge from what can sometimes be a cruel and fearful world. Most importantly we can bring our best selves to this relationship everyday.

And lastly, what is something you love about each other?

Brooke is the smartest person I know. She is well read and has so much life experience, but the way she handles problems and makes decisions is incredible. I’m so, so lucky she’s as smart as she is as it saves me on a daily basis. I love how Brooke is gorgeous. I mean this from outside all the way in. She is well and truly stunning, but she also has a heart of gold. Her soul is a gorgeous flame that I couldn’t be more obsessed with. I love how Brooke is in charge!! Not just in charge of me, (I say this jokingly but its very true) but in charge of life. She grew up with such underprivileged and decided to grow up and take life by the horns. She is the responsible one in our relationship, but I don’t mean this in a boring way. I mean this like she looks after me in ways I didn’t even know I needed. And now I can’t imagine a life without her. 

Libby has taught me what it feels like to be loved. They have taught me how to trust and how to better communicate what my needs are. They have also taught me how to relax and really enjoy life, stress less and be more present. Libby has exceptional emotional intelligence, this is something I struggle with and have learnt a lot from Libby. They are also very selfless and they look after my wellbeing, more than I look after my own. I admire their resilience. They moved here very young and despite being alone in a foreign country with no support from family and no friends, they have built a life here and have helped established our beautiful queer community who are part of our family.  Libby is ambitious and has a drive to succeed in life. They also support me to succeed by helping me to be my best self. When I am down and struggling they carry me, make me feel safe and help me to find a way back to the top.

Brooke wears a bespoke engagement ring & crown, Libby wears our Square Wedding Ring & Naum Stacking Ring.

All imagery captured by Margan Photography & Tealily.