Jonathan + Dion’s doo at 'The Block'
We celebrated this love story on the land of the Djiringanj/Thawa people.
We connected with country by looking around, listening, + pausing to take a breath. ‘The Block’, a stunning piece of land, on the outskirts of Wyndham, NSW.
Getting married for Dion and Jonathan had been a conscious choice of wanting to celebrate with their loved ones. Not so much celebrating their love story, but celebrating the role that each and every one of their humans had played.
As for the venue…
‘The block’ is very special to Jonathan, Dion and their families, and has been for years. Their love and adoration for the block has grown in parallel with their love for one another, they travel regularly to the block to slow down and escape the routine of city life. In doing so they’ve discovered aspects of one another that they love dearly. It’s also a special spot because of what they and the earth have been through.
The trees, shrubs and grass that surrounded us, had risen from the ashes and destruction of the black summer fires that ripped through in 2020.
The land has a story, it’s experienced tough times - to say the least - and now, it provides a magical display of resilience and creative energy. In this same way, Dion and Jonathan hope that their love will do the same. In the face of challenge, hardship, or the unexpected; they will be resilient, together, always.
Love story
So, let’s put on our metaphorical hiking shoes and trek back to when Dion and Jonathan first connected. Jonathan was living in China and planning to move to Australia. He preemptively put the feelers out hoping to make friends and meet new people before he landed. The two matched on OK Cupid and before they knew it, they were messaging every day. It was three months of daily back and forth before. Dion was in Sydney for work, providing the opportunity for the two to finally meet in person. Dion was keen to impress. He’d chosen a restaurant that was a bit fancy and had spent the day planning his outfit, a sleek black trench with his best shirt and pants. He waited at Central Station and spotted Jonathan with a massive grin on his face, a face that was only just brighter than the blindingly bright yellow raincoat he was wearing.
Jonathan was pretty smitten from the beginning. How had he found someone as attractive, put together, funny and interesting as Dion?! For Dion, he was bitten by smitten when they had their first date in Canberra; a date he described as “bloody magical”. As a kid Dion often wondered whether he’d find his Jonathan - not expecting that you’d find anything other than the stereotypical gay guys shown on TV. But in Jonathan, or Jwar as he is now known here in Australia, he had found his match with their shared love of camping, hiking, DIY projects, and the bush.
Dion has described their love as ever evolving, or in keeping with the hiking metaphor, unfolding like a valley as you crest a hill. Jonathan adores their travels together, from taking Dion’s family to the USA to meet Jonathan’s family and see the National Parks, to travel to Vietnam with Tabitha, and their solo travels through central Australia. Travel continues to be an important part of their lives and they love that their guests had all traveled to be there with them on their day.
Dion says their love changes, evolves, deepens, and expands as they journey together in life. A journey they’ve filled with big moments - like buying a house, renovations, overseas travel and their dog Orion - and the small but no less profound moments – like setting your alarm 15 minutes early so there’s time to snuggle, opening a fresh bag of coffee beans to bask in the smell together. Jonathan endeavors to always have Dion’s favourite snacks in stock at home. Dion watching the way Jonathan is either incessantly annoying Orion, or, mercilessly spoiling him, and the simple encouragement to make the day great.
As for the future, let’s throw in a few more hiking boots, metaphorical and literal, a few G&Ts, and some travel to remote places, as these two continue to adventure together. Not just as a couple, but with their community. With this, their love story will continue to be… pretty damn great.
Dion + Jonathan were very excited to celebrate in to the evening with their guests at the Robbie Burns Hotel, Wyndham.
