FURTHER
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"COLLEGE FEARS MELTED THE MOMENT I SAW HER."
- Francois

"HE GAVE ME BUTTERFLIES FROM THE MOMENT I SAW HIM."
- Anja

WHEN THEY MET, TIME STOOD STILL.
Francois and Anja met while attending their college first year camp in Villiersdorp on the 5th of February 2016. They ended up being placed in the same team for the weekend called Mampoer. Their first task as a team was to paint the team banner, where every member of the team was involved. Unaware that they both got nervous around each other, they were also quite shy. They sat next to each other while painting the banner, never asking each other's names. The following day all the teams had to participate in boeresports. The teams also had to participate in a fashion show where 2 members of each team had to cross dress with black bags and anything else they could find. Anja was chosen as one of the members, and Francois happily borrowed her his watch and a wooden bead bracelet he wore. Later the afternoon it got quite chilly, and he borrowed her his hoodie. That evening the camp hosted a sokkie, but Anja and Francois basically ditched it and sat outside talking, getting to know each other and watched the night sky until it was time for lights out. The last day of camp he gave her his number so that she could contact him to give his hoodie back, little did she know... To this day, Anja still has that hoodie and the bracelet that he borrowed her. And the rest is pretty much history.

AS TIME WENT ON,
neither of them knew that they are each other's forever. They continued to chat everyday. On the 28th of April 2016, he visited Anja at her home after class. They went for a walk to a play park close to Anja's house. On the way there, Francois subtly confessed his love for Anja and asked her to be his girlfriend. They called each other every night, saw each other everyday at college, they were basically inseparable.  Their love for each other grew everyday. Francois graduated at the end of 2017, but still continued to support Anja throughout the rest of her college career. Anja graduated at the end of 2019 and got her first job in the beginning of 2020. When Covid-19 hit, that was the longest they've been away from each other. Anja always admires Francois kind heart, how he helps people without being asked or expecting anything in return. Francois has always been blown away by Anja's kindness and compassion. It's a real part of her, and it comes through in everything. They continued to support each other, through thick and thin. They always enjoy doing life together.

HOME, LOVE AND A LIFETIME TOGETHER.
Big things started to happen for Anja & Francois. In 2022, Francois started a new job. The two of them started chatting about moving in together one day, dreaming of their own place. Getting engaged was also one of their topics. The conversations continued, just the two of them dreaming together. It's exciting to dream and build together, but it's even more exciting when the dream comes true. So by March 2023, Anja and Francois bought their first home together. They've enjoyed every second of it. Getting furniture, decorating and navigating their new life together.
On the 28th of April 2024, Francois and Anja celebrated their 8 year anniversary. They went out the morning to their favourite look out point on a gravel road behind Devonvale estate. The view looked over the Stellenbosch farms. They have been going to that point for years. As they climbed out the car, Francois dropped to one knee and asked Anja to spend forever with him. After getting over the shock and wiping away her tears, Anja said YES! Her best friend popped out behind the bushes, filming the entire proposal. After a short photoshoot in a nearby olive orchard, Francois took Anja to Paarl where he arranged another surprise. All their loved ones under one roof there to celebrate with them! 

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE PHOTOGRAPHERS

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE DJ