I met Harley at the Adelaide Fringe festival in 2020. We shared a venue in the Garden of Unearthly Delights. I was gearing up to move to the UK, aiming for a shot in the West End, so romance was not on my radar.
One night, I decided to check out his circus show. As he performed an amazing rope act, I was hooked. There was something captivating about him—sweaty, shirtless, and agile. It was art, but it was also undeniably attractive.
After the show, I thought he was straight while chatting in the dressing room. When I mentioned going to a Disney-themed night at Mary’s Poppin, I was thrilled when Harley wanted to join. His friends seemed to step back, giving us space—a good sign.
At the bar, the atmosphere was lively, with drag queens belting Disney classics. We struggled a bit with conversation but shared some laughs. Then, a stranger intruded with overly personal remarks about our age difference. Luckily, he eventually wandered off, allowing Harley and me to connect more deeply.
When the moment felt right, with a catchy song from Wicked playing, I leaned in for our first kiss. To my delight, Harley kissed me back. Just as things were looking up, the world spiraled into chaos. Soon after, COVID-19 hit hard, shutting down events, including the Melbourne comedy festival.
After the Adelaide experience, I found myself alone in Brisbane, confined to a hotel room. The news was overwhelming, but thoughts of Harley brought me joy. Before I left Adelaide, I sent him a text, confessing how much I’d miss him. He humorously replied about my all-caps rage but expressed he’d miss me too.
Upon returning to Melbourne, we dove into our relationship amid the pandemic. This unexpected love served as a welcome distraction as the world seemed to fall apart.
One unforgettable night during our lockdown, we had a secret disco in Harley’s living room. As I looked at him laughing and dancing, I knew he was special. The uncertainty of the future faded, and all that mattered was the joy he brought me.
Fast forward, we recently celebrated our sixth anniversary. Our careers keep us apart for extended periods—Harley is in far north Queensland, while I was in Tasmania for a shoot. Yet, we’ve managed to maintain our bond. Trust is our stronghold, even as we navigate the challenges that come our way.
Research shows that couples who communicate openly about their feelings are more likely to endure tough times. Our constant check-ins and openness have kept our connection strong. In a world of uncertainty, knowing we have each other is our beacon of hope.
Love sometimes feels abstract, but in these moments of laughter and connection, it becomes clear: we’re in this together—come what may.
