The power of love

Caitlin Zerafa & Jay Eising

How, where and when did you first meet?
We actually met through a dating app. It was quite unexpected for both of us, but we love how that’s part of our story. It was September 2022 and we had our first date at Cotton Tree, where we met for a coffee. We ordered takeaway and sat down to wait, and hit it off so well that an hour later we realised the coffee never came out!

Who said “I love you” first, and how did it happen?
We were watching the sunset from our balcony while on a cruise holiday when Jay said it to me first. Ironically, we also got engaged on a cruise, at sunset, so there must be something in the water.

What’s a favourite memory you’ve shared together?
A highlight for us was when we travelled Europe together, with some of our favourite memories including a 10km hike in Santorini, paragliding in Austria, exploring the Amalfi Coast on a Vespa and watching my own parents renew their wedding vows in Malta. Getting engaged is also one of our favourite memories.

What’s something your partner does that secretly drives you mad … but you love anyway?
Jay cannot sit still and loves to fiddle with anything in reach! But it’s one of the things that makes him who he is, and I love it. Apparently, I can be a bit of a perfectionist, which Jay thinks is equally lovable and enough to drive him crazy.

What’s one small, everyday thing your partner does that means a lot to you?
For me, it’s Jay’s ability to be constant and present each and every day. It might not be tangible, but it means so much to me. As a busy tradie on the road all day, Jay loves how I meal prep lunches for him to take in his Esky.

What do you believe is the key to a lasting relationship?
Communication, we think, is the biggest key to a lasting relationship. That, and keeping life fun and light-hearted. Don’t sweat the small stuff and just enjoy being with each other.

How do you plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year?
We love keeping Valentine’s Day simple: takeaway pizza and Mooloolaba with a bottle of wine could be a winner for us.

David & Simone Meighen

How, where and when did you first meet?
We met online. Neither of us were looking for anything serious at the time but from the day we first met, we were inseparable and still are – seven years later.

Who said “I love you” first, and how did it happen?
I did. Dave was just saying the sweetest things to me, so I just turned to him and I said, “I love you” … thank goodness he said it back!

What’s a favourite memory you’ve shared together?
We have two. Our wedding with all of our children (blended family) and then the birth of our son Heath.

What’s something your partner does that secretly drives you mad … but you love anyway?
He sneezes so loudly.

What’s one small, everyday thing your partner does that means a lot to you?
He quietly sneaks out to work in the mornings, careful not to wake up the kids and I. Then when I do wake up, there’s always a coffee waiting for me in the fridge.

What do you believe is the key to a lasting relationship?
Always putting your relationship first. Also, communication and having fun with each other.

How do you plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year?
Neither of us are big on Valentine’s Day. We’ll have work and then kids’ sports all evening, but that’s the life of a parent. We’ll do something special for our anniversary in a couple of months.

Bridgette Morley & Kaleb Sutton

How, where and when did you first meet?
We met at a friend’s house, and Kaleb asked me to be on his ping-pong team.

Who said “I love you” first, and how did it happen?
We said it after a weekend away in Brisbane. We’d just got home, and he said it first.

What’s a favourite memory you’ve shared together?
So many special moments. But probably our first overseas trip to Japan together.

What’s something your partner does that secretly drives you mad … but you love anyway?
He folds his socks back up and puts them in the dirty laundry. That drives me crazy when it comes to doing the washing.

What’s one small, everyday thing your partner does that means a lot to you?
Every single morning he wakes up and leaves to go to work before me. Even after giving me a kiss and saying goodbye, I’ll always wake up every single day an hour later to a sweet good morning text, hoping I have a wonderful day.

What do you believe is the key to a lasting relationship?
Open communication and trust.

How do you plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year?
Our perfect idea of a date is getting the dogs and taking them down to the beach, taking a coffee, and just leaving our phones in the car, spending quality time together.

Lorraine & Peter Cannan

How, where and when did you first meet?
We met at a dance in an old-fashioned hall at Fordsdale in Queensland.

Who said “I love you” first, and how did it happen?
Peter said it first while we were driving in the car on April 5, 1967. I was 17 and he was 22. He told me he loved me and asked if I wanted to get married. I thought he said something else, so he had to repeat it. I laughed, but I said “yes”. I didn’t really believe he was serious. It was sort of funny at the time. We’ve now been married 58 years. Our wedding rings were 18-carat for $12 and nine-carat for $6. My engagement ring cost $55. When I went to get it rebuilt years later, they wanted $900 to fix it.

What’s a favourite memory you’ve shared together?
Groups of us used to go swimming in creeks in those days – that was always fun. Our favourite memories were going out with all our young friends: picnics, dancing, movies and lots of parties every week. Saturdays were the main night out. We were in the era when some of our best friends were leaving for the Vietnam War.

What’s something your partner does that secretly drives you mad … but you love anyway?
He loves to drive, but he doesn’t like me being a backseat driver.

What’s one small, everyday thing your partner does that means a lot to you?
Just helping each other get things done.

What do you believe is the key to a lasting relationship?
Realising nothing is ever perfect, so there’s lots of give and take.

How do you plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year?
We’ll probably go out for a nice lunch and a leisurely drive.