Rickus and I met through our work in the animal health feedlot industry—an environment of long days, shared responsibility, and quiet dedication. What began as professional conversations and mutual respect slowly became something more. We shared the same early mornings, industry challenges, and values; between calls and small moments of laughter, a deeper connection grew.

Rickus felt it first. Instead of letting the moment pass, he sent me an Instagram reel about missed chances and choosing happiness. It wasn’t just a video—it was an invitation: what if we didn’t let this friendship become one of those missed moments?

A few months later, on a trip through Botswana and Namibia, everything clicked. Somewhere between endless open roads, wide African skies, and long conversations, we chose each other.