Our Journey
Our Story
How We Met
Some love stories start with grand gestures, but ours began with a simple hello during a global pandemic. What started as an online friendship turned into something neither of us expected.
The Beginning
It all started during COVID. Junior and Portia met through an online home cell after Portia was invited to join. Although they’d never met in person, Junior couldn’t help but notice Portia’s thoughtful personality — especially the way she texted! Every message was unique, intentional and full of life, and every story she shared left him wanting to know more.
In fact, Junior and his friend Divine jokingly argued over who got to be friends with Portia first. Later that year, when restrictions eased, they finally met at church and a beautiful friendship began.
A Friendship Worth Protecting
As their friendship grew, Junior realised he was beginning to feel something more. Knowing he wasn’t ready for a relationship, he chose to take a step back to protect both of them.
They remained friends, greeting each other at church, but life gently pulled them onto different paths for a while.
Right Feelings… Wrong Timing
After coming out of a relationship, Junior asked Portia how she saw him. Trying to protect his heart, she answered, “Like a brother.”
Later came the biggest plot twist — Portia admitted she had actually liked Junior all along! Unfortunately, the timing wasn’t right, and they decided to go their separate ways. For the rest of the year they only crossed paths at church, unaware that this wasn’t the end of their story.
Starting Over
At the beginning of 2023, Junior and Portia met to talk through everything that had happened. With honesty, grace and plenty of laughter, they decided to rebuild their friendship from scratch.
There was no pressure and no expectations — just two people learning to trust each other again and discovering a stronger foundation than before.
From Friends to Forever
This was the year everything changed.
Junior confessed that he had fallen for Portia… but she wasn’t ready and gently said no. Heartbroken, Junior decided to give them both space.
After talking with her friend Didi, Portia realised another conversation was needed. She drove all the way from Witbank to Pretoria to apologise, and they spent hours talking on a mountain overlooking the city. Instead of rushing into a relationship, they chose to keep getting to know each other.
A few months later, during a trip with friends, Junior surprised Portia with a movie telling the story of their friendship. As the credits rolled, one final question appeared…
“Will you be my girlfriend?”
This time, her answer was YES!
Choosing Each Other
Their first year together was filled with adventure, growth and learning what it means to love well.
Like every real relationship, there were challenges. They even broke up for a short time after Chase & Didi’s wedding (imagine that!). But through prayer, honest conversations and wise counsel from trusted friends, they found their way back to each other.
Looking back, what felt like the end became one of the strongest foundations of their relationship.
The "Yes" That Changed Everything
Junior secretly planned the proposal for months and chose the perfect day — Portia’s birthday. She thought they were simply going out for dinner, completely unaware that friends had prepared a beautiful surprise.
When Portia walked into the garden, she screamed, cried and laughed all at once. Junior got down on one knee and asked the question they had been journeying toward since 2020.
“Will you marry me?”
With happy tears and the biggest smile… She said YES!
And now, we're so excited to celebrate the beginning of forever with all of you.