It all started on 17 September 2024, when fate brought Ashleigh and Fabrizio together.

From Ashleigh's side, she saw Fabrizio and immediately thought: “Wow… look at this Italian stallion!” And from Fabrizio's side: “Wow… look at this blonde bombshell!”

The conversation began, and before long, they discovered that they had something very important in common — their love for pineapple on pizza.

The first date

On 23 September 2024, Fabrizio arranged their first date at George's Restaurant at The Neighbourhood. Ashleigh, being Ashleigh, told Fabrizio she was “on her way”… despite not actually having left yet — and, naturally, she hadn't even put her lipstick on.

When she finally arrived at the restaurant, she asked for Fabrizio. “There is no Fabrizio here.” There was no booking. No Fabrizio. Nothing. Ashleigh's heart sank. “Oh my word. I've been stood up.”

But just as the panic started to set in, a very attractive man stood up and started walking towards her. It was Fabrizio. Her heart started racing for an entirely different reason.

They sat down and talked the entire evening, completely losing track of time. Eventually, the restaurant started flickering the lights — a not-so-subtle hint that they were the last ones there and it was time to leave.

As they walked towards the cars, Fabrizio opened his boot and pulled out a beautiful bouquet of white roses for Ashleigh. It was giving The Bachelor. Ashleigh couldn't help but wonder whether this was some sort of test: “What happens if I didn't make the cut? Do I not get the roses?” Luckily, she made the cut.

Who was Bruce?!

Then came the next date. Fabrizio kept suggesting Parkhurst, while Ashleigh kept saying no. Not because she wasn't interested — quite the opposite. She was just worried he would think she wasn't interested. Eventually, she decided to bite the bullet and confess the truth: she couldn't parallel park.

So Fabrizio offered to fetch her. They chatted all the way there, and everything was going perfectly… until they arrived at Parkhurst. Fabrizio walked in and said: “Booking under Bruce.”

And the panic was back. The live locations were going crazy. Everyone was wondering what was happening. Who was Bruce?! It turns out Fabrizio actually books restaurants under the name Bruce, because apparently when he books under Fabrizio, they tell him they don't serve that kind of food there.

To one forever

And from there, the rest was history. What started with a chat over pineapple on pizza, a possible catfish situation, a boot full of roses and a mysterious man named Bruce became something neither of them could have imagined.

And now, all this time later, they are two hearts, completely in love, choosing each other every day and getting ready to spend forever together.

From one bouquet of flowers… to one forever.