Love at third sight

They grew up together in the Doringkop farming community, caught the same bus to primary school and were part of the same lift club in high school.

Wherever they went, Shelley and Carlo Stegen bumped into each other and, while it was not love at first sight, they were somehow destined to be together.

“I always thought he was quite a spoilt, arrogant guy. Well, at least in primary school. When high school came, we dated for a short time, nothing serious. His parents were part of the KwaSizabantu mission and relationships were forbidden. So when he went off to the army after school, I decided I was too young for all that drama and a long distance relationship,” said Shelley, who is now the owner of Cutting Edge Hair and Beauty in Ballito.

When Carlo came back however, things were a little different.

“I broke up with my ex in December 1994, started dating Carlo, fell head over heels in love with him and honestly felt it was God’s will that we be together.”

Still, she said she felt quite uncertain about her feelings, as it was all so sudden and she had just come out of another relationship.

“I prayed a lot about our relationship. Strangely enough, the day he proposed I had prayed that very morning for some sign that he was the man for me.”

Naturally she said yes, even though he did not get on his knees and the proposal was not at all romantic.

“We were just standing outside the kitchen window when he decided to pop the question.

“I turned 21 on March 30, 1995 and we got married two days later at the Kearsney chapel and had our reception at the Darnall Country Club on April 1. Yes, April Fools day – we have both been fooled. Jokes!”

She said the short engagement rased a lot of speculation that she might have been pregnant.

“Our daughter, Kristen came along two years later, so that answered that rumor,” said Shelley with a cheeky smile.

While they said 22 years together have been challenging, with many ups and downs, they always believed that love conquers all.

“Forgiveness is everything in a relationship. I do think people sometimes give up too quickly if their marriage seems to be failing because of extramarital affairs, financial problems and so on, but you just have to to press on. We are still moving forward with new challenges every day. Carlo will always be my Valentine, my rock and my support, God willing.”

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