Not Just an Ordinary Love Story
It all began in September 2020, when Shaun moved into Quélen’s share house on Selwyn Street, Sydney – quite literally becoming the boy next door. We started as flatmates, bonding over beers and mutual confusion about who forgot to take the bins out.
Our friendship quickly blossomed (as did our plants, briefly), and after a festive house Christmas party and maybe a few drinks, we had our first kiss. Since then, Christmas has been our favourite season – not just for decorations and carols. Although Quélen takes decorating very
seriously, Shaun mostly just nods and says how nice they look. It is the “silly” season, after all.
When Covid hit, while the world slowed down, we sped up and learned what it was like to live together full-time. From Shaun’s duck performances – splashing more water than a water park – to themed cooking nights and intense Age of Empires matches (where Shaun was repeatedly overthrown), we embraced the chaos.
In March 2022, Shaun moved to a town called Dubbo (“Pubbo”, as he insists on calling it – no one else does) for a job. We managed long-distance with regular weekend visits, alternating between city brunches and Dubbo’s remote surrounds: kangaroos, waterfalls, and country pubs. Our board game collection boomed. And let’s be honest – there’s only so many times you can go to the zoo.
March 2023 took us to Brazil, where Shaun met Quélen’s wonderful family and attempted to charm waiters with Portuguese. A highlight? When a waiter asked, in English, if he liked the meal and Shaun replied confidently: “Eu gostoso.” (Translation: I’m hot. Not exactly what he meant – but not entirely wrong either).
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Together with the family, we explored Serra Gaúcha. Shaun was introduced to many things, like fondue, five bowls of pasta (shoutout to the sister), and the famous “pavê” joke from Quélen’s father. Shaun laughed – eventually.
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Speaking of family, Quélen was confronted with the Towers’ annual head-measuring contest. Much to all participants’ display, there is little movement on the numbers. If only all those board games sessions at Lilli Pilli (where Shaun grew up, the “promised land”)
made a difference.
In 2024, we went on a much-awaited Europe trip, trains only. It featured Shaun’s 30th birthday in Prague, and Oktoberfest in Germany. Lederhosen and dirndl were worn. Shaun had 6 litres and Quélen put away an impressive 5. Yes, 5. Unless she was too
drunk to count them.
Then came July 2024, when Shaun proposed in Orange (no, not the fruit – the town). It’s our special place, where we took our first trip together, and we have visited every Winter since. Shaun popped the question at Stockman’s Ridge Winery, after asking Quélen’s parents for her hand in Portuguese. Brave. And successful.
Why Serra Gaúcha?
Because Quélen is proudly “gaúcha”. That’s someone from Rio Grande do Sul, not a type of cheese, by the way.
She grew up visiting the region with her parents, and it’s the first place she wanted Shaun to see in Brazil. Between the vineyards, the rolling green hills, and the churrasco, it was love at first sip. It’s the perfect place to celebrate our next chapter, with a few more jokes, a lot of love, and maybe just a tiny bit of wine.
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