When Adrian and I met 7 years ago in Malaysia, a relationship was probably the last thing on our minds. Our first real conversation was him showing me photos of his exes on Friendster (ah the good old days …!). We were both studying and working in the same college and had numerous mutual friends. As we saw more and more of each other, our friendship grew into something a little more. Two years later, I made the spontaneous decision to move back to Melbourne (where I had grown up). Adrian, being the amazing guy he is, supported my decision despite the inevitability of us moving into an area called a “long distance relationship” – an area with traditionally very low success rates and often accompanied by tears, lonely nights and high phone, Internet and travel expenses!

In the initial stages of our long-distance relationship, we figured that we’d just take life as it came to us – if we made it as a couple, that would be cool. But if not, we knew it’d be for the best. Somehow or rather, we made it year after year … after year!

Fast forward four years, and thousands of dollars spent in phone bills and flights later, we found ourselves in the gorgeous little town of Queenstown in New Zealand at 12am on the 1st of January, 2011. It was New Years Eve, the fireworks had just finished, it was a breezy 9 degrees (or so) and I was ready to head back to the hotel … Until Adrian insisted on going for a walk to “review the year”. My first reaction was: It’s cold, I’m kinda tired (we had just flown in from Auckland that morning) and there’s really nothing much to review! But he was so insistent that I gave in. And that night, he proposed with a beautiful diamond ring.

Since then, it’s been an exciting few months of preparing for his move to Melbourne, wedding planning between two countries (we’re having the ceremony in Melbourne) and of course, maintaining our long-distance relationship (thank You God for Skype and smart phones). I made a short visit to Malaysia in August, and while there, we engaged Grace at Stories to do an engagement photoshoot for us. She did an amazing job! We wanted to celebrate the years we’ve endured (I mean, enjoyed!) long-distance but also celebrate the individuality that we love about each other. I love that Grace also managed to capture the fun we had while doing the shoot!

We’re counting down the final few months until we’re together again in the same country for good. The journey has been long, but so so worth it – and I’m glad we can add a point to the “Successful” side of long-distance relationships!

Photography by Stories

Ms Gingham says: Love long distance indeed!! Congratulations are due to Adrian and Phoebe … not only for your engagement but also for sticking it out and making it work.

Phoebe says: I work in marketing and PR in Melbourne, and am engaged to a wonderful guy called Adrian. We’ve been together for over six years, and he proposed on New Years Eve this year in Queenstown, New Zealand. Adrian and I have been in a long-distance relationship for the past four years, since I moved (back) to Melbourne. Our story is pretty unique but I wouldn’t change anything for the world!