How We Met:
On the 3rd September 2017 it was a cool night. A young boy still dying from lectures and university assignments prowled the street of Midrand with his souped-up red monster with a big black bunny sticker slapped on it. This young boy seeking adventure beyond the text books took advantage of the thrilling adrenaline he got from the crowded street of 15th, nestled between the industrial builds of South Africa's business parks.
Until one evening, this young boy did not feel like racing his red devil, and his friend Keegan convinced him to at least spectate at 15th. In comes a white Mini, a lone rider, a shy girl coming to support a dear friend (Ayrton). The shy girl parks her car far from others, and patiently waits for her friend to arrive. The streets were dimly lit with only a hand full of cars with rice crispy files and stickers plastered to them with the hope of adding 15 kilowatts, lined the street like a scene out of Fast and Furious.
When the young boy looked at this, he questioned her sanity for coming to such a dodgy area filled with car gangs and adrenaline junkies racing for pink slips, a little over exaggeration to set the tone. The shy girl stood lonesome by her trusty vehicle arms crossed, in unsuccessful way of making herself seem bigger and intimidating to the men around her. When across the street, the young boy with his cap sitting on backwards, puffing his chest to shows his excitement, another exaggeration, the young boys shouts over the street to the shy girl, "Come stand by us, we don't bite!".
Now the young man will argue that he did not in fact say this, but will argue that he was just as shy as she was.
The night went on, and at the time Aryton's girlfriend Caitlyn wanted to race, but not against men, so she eagerly approached Nina. Who by the way was kak scared to launch her car and drag down the dimly lit street because she did not want her dad to find out. But who are we kidding, Sergio (Nina's dad) is an adrenaline junkie himself, and thus it runs deep in their DNA. Flagging the race, Allistair stands noble between the two car hands raised, when Nina shouts, "please get in, I don't know how to do this", She says sheepishly.
And from that very moment, the shy girl and young boy have been inseparable.
The first time Allistair was introduced to Nina's family.
What Was Our First Impression About Each Other?
A: I found her attractive.
N: I thought his head was screwed on right.
Was It Love At First Sight?
A: Yes, just needed the balls to ask her out.
N: After we spoke that evening, I knew instantly.
Brendan's 21st
Where Did You Go on Your First Date?
We found out we both knew Ayrton, and unknowingly we had both asked him for one another numbers. But, Nina beat Allistair to it, breaking the ice, Nina asked Allistair if he would like to go out for coffee or dinner.
9th Saptember 2017, Allistair and Nina had a wholesome dinner at Pizza Vino in Irene, where Allistair's shyness did not falter, he spoke the whole evening as she sat quietly and intently listened. He was a gentleman, he opened the door, pulled out her chair, and surprisingly was on time. Nina was sweet, listened attentively, and showed her love for pasta.
Two Broke Students Trying to Entertain Themselves.
What is Your Favourite Adventure or Memory Together?
A: January 2018, the red beast sprung to life at 4 in the morning and the new couple had planned to go on a little holiday before the work and university year begun. From the bustling city to the beautiful roads between mountains and farmlands, Allistair and Nina headed to Port Shepston with ocean views and humidity pulsing through the open car window. For a few days they stayed in a quaint Air BNB that had a cute dog, their excitement for the famous Waffle House was fulfilled, their hunt for the famous Bunny Chow district was a fail, and the days spent on beautiful beaches hidden from the public and only known by the locals were perfect. That was their first vacation together.
N: They were in Rotterdam, when Allistair had come over for the first time. That day they had decided to go to the zoo on a cold and gloomy day in October. But, it was the most wholesome experience walking and talking, having butterflies land on them in the enclosure, seeing Red Pandas, Polar Bears, and so much more. At the end of the day they found a cute burger joint, small and tucked into a wall, where it was warm and games like four in a row and Scrabble were free to play. It was the best day of quality time they had had in over two years of waiting for COVID to bring them back together.
The Day Before Allistair Asked Nina To Be His Girlfriend.
How Did the Proposal Happen?
It had been a crazy year with COVID coming to an end, Allistair had worked hard to get a visa to come visit the Netherlands with the opportunity to get a job and secure their future. Climbing onto the plane, palms all sweaty, legs threatening to become spaghetti, Allistair arrives to Schiphol airport leaving Nina waiting for 45 minutes, utterly worried that he hadn't made it across. Then coming from another direction, Allistair with his luck had been pulled a side, and asked about the ring, threats of import fees had shaken him up.
Nonetheless, 23 days goes by and he hadn't mentioned the incident. Allistair and Nina attend the Gustav Klimt exhibition (One of Nina's favourite artists) at the Van Gogh Museum, when Nina suspects it is going to happen in that exact exhibition. So, Nina does what she thinks is best, she dresses the part in her nicest winterish dress, gets her nails done, curls her hair, and does her makeup to the tee. But, nothing happens.
Allistair noncholant, takes her to another Gustav Klimt exhibition at the Fabrique des Lumières. This time a digital emersion of Klimt's work, walking around in the beautiful kaleidoscope of colours, The images and videos shift like a dance from one image to another, Allistair led Nina into a quiet room with her favourite artworks, gave an eye watering speech, and got onto one knee. He was so nervous he by mistake told Nina
And that is how their forever began.
The 19th November 2017 marked the day Allistair had asked Nina to be his girlfriend, and then 5 years later to take her hand in marriage.
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