From teenage sweethearts to the next chapter of forever, Phoebe and Jackson’s story is one of growing together, choosing each other and a love that only deepens with time. We sat down with the couple to revisit their journey, a proposal filled with meaning, and the feeling that says it all: euphoria.
Take us back to the beginning. What do you remember most fondly about those early days together, and what is something about your relationship that has only grown more meaningful with time?
Jackson and I met when we were just 15. Our love story began as an on-and-off romance, which eventually blossomed into an official relationship in 2017. We started out as friends, both pining after other people, before gradually realising that what we had with each other was something more. Looking back, it’s funny to think of us then; he was the naughty kid at school, and I was the girl with the awful laugh.
Over the years, the most meaningful part of our relationship has been the way we’ve learned to adapt, change and grow together, while also continuing to grow as individuals. Despite being together for so long, we’ve never stopped evolving as people, and I think that’s something truly special.
I often think that individual growth can become lost within a long-term relationship, but I’m so grateful that ours has never been that way. We’ve continued to encourage each other to become the best versions of ourselves, while growing together along the way.
Jackson, can you take us through how the proposal came together? What did you have in mind, and how were you feeling leading up to it?
I initially thought of somewhere that was special to Phoebe, and the first thing that came to mind was on her grandmother's property. It took a couple of weekends to clear the gardens as they were overgrown. It all came together perfectly once it was cleared, and I knew this was the spot.
I was pretty nervous until I realised I was finishing up work for the day and a wreck walking up to the spot with Phee by my side, but soon came to ease as soon as soon as I saw gran sitting there.
Phoebe, when you think back to the proposal, what do you remember most vividly? Is there a particular moment you find yourself returning to?
I definitely had a feeling I would get engaged that weekend, but I had no idea how he would do it. Although I suspected it was coming, I was completely and utterly surprised by the way he proposed. We were meant to be going to dinner and a night away, but were called to Granny’s house to fix a faulty PowerPoint (Jackson is an electrician).
There are two moments that stand out most vividly in my memory. The first was my Granny handing Jackson the ring. This was incredibly special to me. My Granny, now 91, is like a second mother to me, and I spent almost every weekend of my childhood at her home and her garden. To have her be such an important part of that moment, in a place that holds so many of my childhood memories, made it even more meaningful. We have her handing the ring to Jackson in photos and I will cherish this forever. My two favourite people in the most memorable moment of my life is something words can’t describe.
The second moment was when Jackson took my hand just before bringing me close to him to say a few words and propose. It felt as though time stood still. I remember feeling completely overwhelmed with happiness and disbelief that we were actually ready to take this next step in our lives together.
Jackson, when you first started looking for Phoebe’s ring, what did you hope it would look and feel like? And what was it about Phoebe's ring that made you know you had found 'the one?
She had always mentioned she wanted a ring from your brand. She thought initially it would need to be custom as the design she knew she wanted wasn’t on your website but then you released the exact design she had been hoping for, so that made the starting point fairly easy. From there, I had a few specific details in mind.
I wanted the diamond to be proportionate to her finger, not too big and not too small, but somewhere perfectly in between. I was also hoping for a diamond with beautiful clarity, and you guided me so well in finding the right balance between the two. I was particularly drawn to the idea of a brushed gold setting. I hadn’t seen it used as often in other rings, and I loved that it felt a little different and less mainstream. It felt very Phoebe, very her.
If you could capture this chapter of your relationship in one feeling, what would it be?
Honestly, completely EUPHORIC.
As you look towards everything that lies ahead, what are you most excited to experience together?
We are really excited to stand at the alter together and hopefully experience the euphoria of what it was to hold each other in the proposal. We can’t wait to feel that intensity again. Along with the natural progression of life together.
