The first time Jaco saw Charné, he knew one thing immediately: if he didn’t go talk to her, he would regret it for the rest of his life. So he did what most people would be too scared to do. He walked straight up to her and asked for her number.

She said no.

But that wasn’t the end of the story.

Later that day, Charné walked up to him and handed him a small piece of paper with her number written on it. When Jaco finally worked up the courage to message her, he didn’t just send a normal text. He sent a voice note making a bold promise: one day she would be his girlfriend.

And he kept that promise.

On 12 November 2020, Jaco officially asked Charné to be his girlfriend with one of the corniest romantic gestures imaginable: a coffee mug with a little bee printed on it that said “Bee Mine.” Somehow, it worked.

As their relationship grew, Jaco brought out a softness in Charné that she didn’t even know existed, and what started as a brave introduction turned into something much deeper. Over time they built a relationship filled with laughter, support, friendship and a love that continued to grow stronger.

Then came the next big moment.

On 19 October 2024, Jaco asked Charné to marry him. True to form, he did it in a way she would never expect. He tricked her into thinking she was doing a live interview with him on RSG. Completely unaware of what was about to happen, she arrived ready for a normal interview.

Instead, it became the moment Jaco asked her the most important question of his life.

This time, Charné didn’t say no.

Now the promise Jaco made in that very first voice note has come full circle. The girl he said would one day be his girlfriend is now going to be his wife.