RUUSK COUPLES: HALEY + TIM
How did your love story begin, and what were your first impressions of each other?
We actually met on Tinder. We matched and Tim decided to play hard to get, making me ask several times for a first date. We eventually got there, and he picked me up and took me to the beach for sunset drinks and dinner.
Haley: I remember thinking that he was different from anyone I had ever met before and I knew I wanted to know more.
Tim: Haley’s kind heart really stood out, she seemed like a nice person. She also looked prettier in person, she reverse cat fished me, haha.
From our first date, our story began and we’ve spent pretty much everyday together since. We road tripped to Tasmania three months later, where we first said ‘I love you’, and moved in together not long after that. Our love grew with every adventure we took, and every memory we made, and the in-between, mundane moments were just as good.
What made the Flinders Ranges the perfect location for your proposal, and how does it reflect your journey together?
Flinders Ranges was the first stop on our South Aus road trip, and Tim was planning on proposing towards the end of our travels, just to keep me guessing. I was obviously hoping it would happen at some point, but I definitely wasn’t expecting it. We got up early to drive to a lookout for sunrise, expecting it to be super busy. As we were driving there, we saw absolutely nobody (minus a few kangaroos) and the most beautiful sunrise was forming in the sky. I was in tears pulling up, because it was that beautiful.
On that day, we were gifted the most perfect sunrise, in a stunning location, with absolutely nobody around. It was the perfect representation of our story. We have spent our entire relationship appreciating natural landscapes, the more untouched the better. It’s where we have created our most cherished memories, and it’s where we feel most at home. It was the perfect series of events, and I guess Tim just knew it was the right stop.
Can you describe the moment when Tim proposed? What were the feelings you both experienced in that moment?
We were sitting watching the sunrise and Tim had told me he needed to go get a drink. After what felt like the longest drink break ever, he finally returned.
“Will you marry me darlin?”
Haley: Five words I’ll never forget, but spoken specifically in his voice. I was definitely shocked and cried a whole lot of happy tears. Then I was filled with overwhelming appreciation for Tim and everything he is.
Tim: Super nervous, I wasn't planning on doing it for another few weeks but the moment was so perfect. I quickly decided if I was going to do it, it had to be now so that she could get some nice photos with the sunrise. I tried setting up my phone to film it but couldn't get it to stay up in my panic. Was super relieved and happy once it was over.
What qualities in each other do you admire most, and how have they shaped your relationship over time?
Haley: I admire Tim’s ‘who cares what anybody thinks attitude’. He’s been a guiding light, and has brought so much logic and clarity to our relationship, making the tough times much easier to handle. Also his generosity and loyalty. He would literally move mountains of the people he loves. These qualities have taught me so much about the meaning of friends and family, and have only strengthened our bond.
Tim: My favourite qualities in Haley are her big heart and hard working nature. She's very kind and is always ready to get her hands dirty when needed. I grew up in a very 'do it yourself' house so I knew my future wife would need to be willing to give anything a crack and Haley does it better than any girl I've met.
What are you most excited about as you step into this new chapter of your lives together?
Building our acreage into the best possible home for our future kiddies!
