By Rochelle McDonald.

Had it not been for my daughter pushing me to meet someone after a bit of time as a single woman, we might never have met but, I can tell you now, this was the best decision I have made in a long time.

How we met: it was January, 2021, and I agreed to be his “plus-one” at a family barbecue (aunties, uncles and cousins) in Wongarbon. I was from Mudgee, and I drove across nervous and anxious... his family didn’t know we had only just met.

We met at his place in Dubbo and his first words were: “You are more beautiful than your photos!” What a way to kick off the night!

We drove to Wongarbon and quickly got to know each other. The 20-minute drive seemed to go quickly, and there was an attraction there even in the early stages.

Arrived at the barbecue and it was like, “Boom!”

Everyone at the barbecue flocked to us. “How did you meet?” was a hot topic on the night, and we managed to evade any questions that would let the family know we only just met that night.

Eventually (two days later) we would confess to the family we had only met that night, and everyone was a little bit shocked, especially his aunty who said at the barbecue: “Whatever you are doing, he’s very happy!”

It was a lovely welcome to the family.

It was the best night — especially finding love later in life, 46 and 48, and never expecting to find love again.

Now, four years later, here we are, totally happy, and I’ve found my best friend!