Our story starts with a kiss at an 18th shed party, some MSN flirting, and a date at the cinemas (Tom didn't make a move to hold Mel's hand, she thought he must hate her - turns out he was just nervous). We spent our last months of year 12 together and had one of the best summers of our lives being young, care free and in love.
We weren't sure our romance would survive living at, and going to universities on either side of Melbourne, but we were so in love... we just ended up doing A LOT of driving. It's funny that we bicker about each other taking up too much room in our queen size bed now... back then, we slept in a single bed together without a care in the world.
We loved visiting the local uni bar Stolly's and have fond memories of house parties filled with goon punch at Preston and Reservoir.
After a few different uni houses, we finally moved in on our own to Richmond. The first night we opened our first bottle of champagne (Bollinger) and drank it out of plastic cups with takeaway noodles on the floor.
We loved Richmond; being close to the G, trying all the fancy bars and restaurants, and spending way too many nights at The Swan!
Mel got a job in Montreal and Tom was headed to BC for a ski season. After 5 years together, it felt like a good time to find out who we were seperately. It was the hardest thing we've ever had to do.
While we both enjoyed our time in Montreal and BC, we missed each other a lot. We spoke nearly every day and counted down the months until we could see each other again.
After 18 months apart, when we were re-united we moved in together straight away. We knew at that point we were each other's forever person.
Together, we had a year we'll never forget in Toronto. It was like a year long holiday. We travelled every chance we could, making new friends for life along the way.
We also got to enjoy the perks of Mel's job as a Wine Ambassador - one week we drank champagne every day on our roof top.
Having friends and family visit made it all the more special, to be able to share this crazy experience.
After Canada, we moved to Sydney for Mel's work.
While we knew we were way too bogan for the most glam city in Australia, we made the most of living there.
Highlights included getting to go to the Arias, all kinds of music festivals, and Mel's Jacob's Creek bar looking over the harbour.
Day-to-day, we loved using ferrys as a regular mode of transport, visiting the beach regularly, adopting parrots who visited our balcony, and making new friends.
After 18 months in Sydney, made the move back to Melbourne.
When COVID hit, we thought it was time to do something we always wanted, get a dog together. We had no idea how smitten we'd be with her. She's part of the Rob Dolan dog team and loves to visit the winery and meet visitors.
When we first got her we decided she'd sleep in the bathroom... then we caved and let her sleep on the floor of our bedroom... then we caved and let her sleep on the end of our bed.... now she sleeps in between us with her head on a pillow.
She was supposed to be looked after for our trip to Bright, but after Mel broke into tears at the thought of leaving her, Zoe ended up coming along. (Think she'll end up on the honeymoon?)
10 and a half years after our first kiss, Tom took Mel back to our favourite park in Richmond... both a bit rusty after a big weekend in Nagambie.
After wine and cheese, as they watched the sunset, he got on one knee. She cried so hard passers-by thought she'd just been broken up with. Friends came over that night and we were able to share the happy moment together with plenty of champagne.
She loves the ring. He did brilliant.
What a decade! From young love, to life partners. Lots of ups and downs, and nothing we couldn't overcome together. After all this time, we're more in love than ever, and can't wait to officially become husband and wife.
We'd love you to join us for the next chapter: our wedding day.