Where do we even begin?
“I thought I was dating someone mysterious with a cool surname. Then I found out she’s an Ando — and I was like… yep, this tracks.”
— Matthew
“I remember telling him, ‘You make me feel calm,’ and that’s not something I’d felt often in my life. It was strange, different — and yet, quietly perfect”
— India
India & Matthew
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India and Matt met in 2016, courtesy of Tinder — a modern love story if there ever was one. India’s first impression of Matt wasn’t exactly subtle: he forgot their planned first date. His excuse? He was “flat stick.” An unconventional opening move.
When he finally rescheduled, he arrived in a tiny blue Holden Barina… missing hubcaps. Not ideal. But India was fresh out of a tonsillectomy, and on sick leave — so, honestly, why not.
Their first date involved a swim at Dixon Park Beach, followed by sushi train on Darby Street. That same night, India had a work function, which led her to 5 Sawyers after — a bar that would quickly become their place and still holds that title today. They both lived nearby, so naturally Matt met her there again. One date clearly wasn’t enough. And honestly? No complaints.
Over the Christmas break that followed, they were inseparable. Christmas morning was spent together — not with families (too soon), but with McDonald’s coffees and a sunrise at Merewether Baths. It was in that moment that India realised Matt was the one… specifically because he offered to take a photo of her without being asked. Acts of service, people.
When they got back to India’s place, she gave Matt a six-pack of his favourite beer — thoughtful, but not too much. Matt said he hadn’t gotten her anything, which was fair — it was still early days. Until he left, dropped a gift bag at the front door, and did a knock-and-run.
Inside were all of India’s favourite snacks, everything in her favourite colour — even the wrapping — plus tickets to Taronga Zoo and a weekend away. That was the moment. She knew he was in love.
Let’s make it official
On 26 February 2017, Matt officially asked India to be his girlfriend during that Sydney weekend. The weather forecast was terrible, so they did what any sensible young couple would do — got blind drunk and ended the night with someone paying a taxi cleaning fee… If you know, you know. Sunday morning arrived with perfect sunshine, so they pulled themselves together and headed to the zoo.
While flicking through the brochure, India noticed a post-it note covered in penguins and accused Matt of stealing a child’s brochure. It was, in fact, his proposal to “make it official,” written as O 🐟 L (we’re at the zoo, remember). It took her a few goes. Matt, introvert panicking, was moments away from having to use his actual words. She eventually got it and they laughed about it – a lot. The post-it is still kept safely to this day.
In April 2018, after just over a year together, Matt left to travel South America for four months — a true test for a fresh relationship. In July, they reunited in New York… except Matt went to the wrong terminal at JFK because his phone ran out of charge and directions were apparently optional. It took over an hour to find each other. India’s airport movie moment? Gone. But honestly, very on brand — perfectly setting the tone for a relationship built on patience, flexibility, and mild chaos.
Then came the boldest move yet. October 2019: quitting their jobs, packing up their lives, and moving to Canada with three nights of accommodation booked and absolutely no plan. Somehow, this worked. By November, they’d found a home in Big White, British Columbia.
Then COVID hit. Faced with the choice to fly home or stick it out, they stayed — a decision that paid off massively. Free rent, government support, lifted restrictions, and an entire summer spent road-tripping through British Columbia and Alberta. They made lifelong friends and memories they wouldn’t trade for anything. Another winter followed, more lockdowns, more resilience, and eventually a long, expensive journey home in September 2021 — complete with hotel quarantine and a meltdown over pancakes on day ten. No further details will be provided.
By January 2022, they had their own rental in East Maitland and unexpectedly welcomed a puppy into their lives, who immediately became the centre of their world.
The Proposal
In August 2023, Matt proposed — much to India’s complete shock. With house savings in full swing, she truly didn’t see it coming. While staying in the Byron Bay hinterlands, Matt somehow managed to secretly plan everything without raising suspicion (despite telling almost everyone at a wedding beforehand).
After a day of chasing waterfalls, beach swims, and a well-earned nap, India woke to a fire pit setup complete with champagne, blankets, and a very nervous Matt — who had already cut himself during the preparation. When India went back to the cabin to grab something for Matt’s hand, she had a sudden realisation… and thankfully put some pants on. A decision that proved critical, given the camera Matt had sneakily set up to capture the moment.
When she returned, Matt led her to the front of the amphitheater overlooking the hinterlands, got down on one knee, and asked her to marry him. She has never said yes faster — though it definitely wasn’t the first word out of her mouth.
That night, Matt set up a table and chairs under the tree near the cabin. They had dinner under the stars, listened to music, and spent most of the evening just staring at the ring in disbelief.
December 2023 saw another huge milestone — buying their first home in the Upper East, affectionately known as “The Don.”
July to September 2024 brought both celebration and heartbreak, testing them in ways they never expected — and ultimately strengthening their bond through compassion, communication, and showing up for each other.
In October, they celebrated with an engagement party — something joyful to look forward to and exactly what they needed.
In March 2025, after attending a close friend’s wedding, they looked at each other and simply said, “Yep, this is what we want.” And here we are.
Almost ten years in, they’ve done it all — overseas adventures, living abroad, buying a home, starting a business, countless nights with margaritas in hand, many questionable dance moves, welcoming nieces and nephews, navigating loss and grief, celebrating love, farewelling their twenties, embracing their 30s, and making the most of life together.
And the rest is history
Now, they’re ready for the next chapter - and they can’t wait to celebrate it with the people they love most.
P.S. If you’re reading this… that’s you x
