“Home isn’t always a place is it.”

- Charlie Mackesy

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For Hanno and Monique, home became the peace they experienced within their shared presence.

 

Their love story started like any Stellenbosch fairytale. Hanno, the Simon boy, met Monique, the Lydianer, sharing coffees at Chalkboard and walks through the Oak-riddled streets. Before they knew it, their friendship held an unbreakable spot in their hearts. It was when Monique asked Hanno to be her fake fiancé for a res tradition that Hanno realised he wanted much more out of their friendship, after first getting cold feet and ghosting Monique for 3 months of course. Needless to say, they were inseparable after that, despite any storm that came their way. Their faith carried them through all the valleys of uncertainty.

 

Finally, on a rugged Cederberg mountain, after challenging Monique to reach the summit before the sunset, Hanno placed a ring on her finger. The ring, cleverly hidden in the battery compartment of a camera, represented a promise etched in stone, a promise of many memories yet to be captured.

 

As the calendar inches closer to the 2nd of November, Hanno and Monique cannot contain their excitement. Each day, Hanno reminds Monique that he no longer wants to be her Fiancé. But as Monique reminds him, the time will pass before they know it, and they will be united forever under the Langeberg mountains.