Our Story

How We Met

HOW WE MET

according to him

I met Jeanne during my second last year at university. We met the old fashioned way, through Tinder. We finally decided on a first date. She was working at the radio station till late and I was studying all day, so at 10 pm on a Wednesday, we had our first date. It was not exactly a movie moment - but it was perfect. I met someone I could share every moment with, someone who could make me laugh and make the simplest moments into something special.

Between me trying to study and Jeanne having to start working, we got to know each other better during early morning drives to work and late night chats. After that first date, I wasn’t sure she’d want to see me again, and somehow, nine years later, she still chooses to.

according to her

In 2016, I was completing my final year at varsity. I lived with a few flatmates in the heart of Stellies and enjoyed the final stretch of student life. Back then, Tinder started picking up and, since I was a single gal, decided to download it and see what the fuss was about. The conversations were all the same: Hi, how are you? What are you studying? What are your interests? It quickly lost its novelty and the app became a forgotten icon on my phone - as is evident in how long it took me to reply to Marthinus. I was on my way to delete my profile when I spotted his latest message and decided to give a conversation a last go. That conversation ended up lasting a few weeks - in between lectures, radio shows and studying. We finally decided to meet up. Marthinus picking me up from my flat is a memory that will forever be etched in my brain: His Mercedes parked in Eikestad’s parking lot, him leaning against his boot, arms crossed and smiling at me as I crossed the road. A hello, a hug, and him trying to act cool (emphasis on trying) kicked off a whole year of driving around Cape Town in the Merc, exploring the Stellies mountains, dropping off Meraki treats when he bunkered in his flat during exams, discovering the West Coast (and the spot where we would get engaged 9 years later) and eventually starting our first jobs, moving in together, moving again, and adopting our special (yes, emphasis on special) Ozzy. So much life and growing up has happened since 2016. I can confirm that (almost!) 10 years later, he is still trying and I am still not over it.