Our Story
Where it began
Our first date was at The Cosmopolitan. It lasted 15 minutes and ended with Will in an ambulance.
We met at the front door of The Cosmopolitan Hotel, sat down and had time to talk about three things: the AFL finals, an intruder jumping into Will’s backyard the day before, and the nut allergies of Will and Gabby’s brother, Evander. Gabby didn’t get the memo and ordered a pesto pizza, then insisted Will have a slice.
They spent the next 30 minutes holding hands in Will’s car while he pulled down his pants to use his EpiPen and spoke with 000. The operator third-wheeled most of the date, telling Will not to talk in case it made his reaction worse.
Off went Will in the ambulance, where the paramedics explained better ways to get out of a first date. We both spent the evening worried we had messed up the date and wouldn’t see each other again, but the very next morning, we were on our second date.
The proposal
Our engagement story
It was difficult for Will to keep the proposal a secret after buying the ring six months before our trip to Japan. We had been talking about getting married non-stop for months anyway, and Gabby had an inkling Will might propose.
We flew over in April 2026. Luckily, the only luggage China Airlines lost on our flight was Gabby’s bags, not Will’s checked bag with the ring in it.
We got engaged in Kyoto during cherry blossom season. Even without the proposal, it was our favourite day of the trip: buying pottery at a temple market, reading our fortunes, and being in awe of Kyoto. Will was so nervous he felt like he was on a first date with Gabby again.
Will proposed to Gabby at 6:50 pm on the Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto on April 21st, and she said “yes”!