The moment I knew: when he said I love you, it took me days to build up the nerve to respond
Lachlan says he first noticed me when I was working as an usher at the Eternity Playhouse theatre in Sydney before Covid, but I first remember meeting him in December 2021 when we started rehearsals for A Chorus Line together.
I was instantly attracted to this handsome, talented guy. When I found out he loved the ocean, surfing and skateboarding – like me – I knew he was a triple threat twice over. These aren't the kind of interests you encounter too often working in musical theatre, so we bonded quickly. I made the first move and asked for his number.
Not long after rehearsals started we were all plunged back into Covid lockdowns. My tentative Instagram chat check-ins with Lachlan soon turned into two-hour video calls every other day.
By the time we were back at rehearsals, we had gotten to know each other well, but it had all been very friendly. Then Lachlan injured himself on opening night and had to pull out of the show, but we stayed in touch.
The season ended and I got a role on Home and Away. We caught up for an epic paddleboard session at Cronulla beach and he bought me lunch to say congratulations on the new gig. I had no idea what all this meant. I had a huge crush on him, but he was so polite and chill I really couldn't gauge his feelings.
A few weeks later I was as giddy as a schoolgirl when he called me out of the blue. It was usually me who initiated our chats. He asked me out to dinner, but I still couldn't work out what was going on.
On the Thursday he called to firm up plans. He'd booked a restaurant and offered to come and pick me up. This was all new to me. I felt so spoiled.
On the night I wore a denim jumpsuit; I was sweating with anticipation, just so unhinged, wondering: 'What is going on with me? This is crazy.'
For the first two hours I was on the ceiling – I could not calm down. I was hella nervous yet still not convinced I was on a date.
In hindsight obviously it was a bloody date, but I just hadn't experienced such a thing, so I didn't want to get my hopes up.
When Lachlan paid for my meal I returned to a heightened state of excitement and confusion and had to ask him if we could just go to the beach so I could try and chill out.
We headed to Maroubra, and as we took our shoes off and headed towards the water, our hands slid together. My first thought was: 'OK, we're on. This is definitely a date; you don't hold hands with your mates.'
Sitting on the sand and gazing out into the ocean, I decided it was time to shoot my shot. 'I really want to kiss you,' I blurted out.
Despite being emotionally bowled over by this entire rollercoaster, as Lachlan turned my chin towards him, I was instantly calmer.
A few weeks later we were on the phone yet again. I was recounting some story from my day when he said: 'Oh my god, I love you!' I had no idea how to take it, so I ignored it.
It took me days to build up the nerve to respond. After rehearsing saying 'I love you too' all the way to work, I finally called and delivered it to him. I have no recollection of his response because I basically hung up on him after that. Job done. It was the moment of no return. I knew I was a goner.
The next few years were a mixture of long distance and long hours while Lachlan toured with Hamilton and I stayed at Home and Away. It was hard work, but a dream come true for both of us. We hung in there as a couple.
At the end of last year we bought a place together in Sydney and have come full circle, working together again – this time on Guys & Dolls. We spend much less time on the phone.
Angelina Thomson and Lachlan Dearing perform in Opera Australia's Guys & Dolls on Sydney Harbour until 20 April.
Do you have a romantic realisation you'd like to share? From quiet domestic scenes to dramatic revelations, Guardian Australia wants to hear about the moment you knew you were in love.
Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian.
Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Amy Childs feels like 'the luckiest girl in the world' as she shows new addition
The Only Way Is Essex star Amy Childs and her fiancé Billy Delbosq have recently added a swanky new addition to their glamorous family home, with Amy showing it off today Amy Childs has said that she feels like "the luckiest girl in the world" as she showed off her new house addition. The TV star took to her Instagram stories where she shared a video of her new pool in her back garden. Amy showed off her new pool as walked around the garden to tell followers about the lavish addition. She captioned the post: "I have just come and sit here by the pool feeling the luckiest girl in the world." She then tagged her partner Billy and said "It's coming together". The next story then showed Amy's kids enjoying the heatwave and playing in the pool. Amy has recently been under the spotlight due to her weight loss. She has revealed the real reason behind it as she said that "people don't know what is going on behind closed doors." Speaking exclusively to OK!, Amy addressed the recent speculation about her weight loss and the vicious trolling she's been put through as a result of it., following her mum's heart attack. She said: "People don't know what is going on behind closed doors. "I'm going through so much at the minute that the weight has fallen off me. I worry about my mum constantly. She's very emotional – she thinks she's going to have another heart attack." Amy added: "People think I'm not eating, but I do eat. To be honest, I do feel better when I'm a bit heavier than I am at the moment. There's so much going on at the minute – it's the result of pure stress. We're also having renovations done in the midst of parenting four kids. "But I'm strong, I've been in this industry for 15 years. I've had lots of people concerned about me, which I completely understand, but yes, people can be so quick to judge. "It's so unfair – it shouldn't matter what size people are. Imagine if I was really happy and healthy this way? I've been open about losing too much, but I'm working towards putting some back on now." Amy has also addressed rumours that she had been using weight loss injections. She has denied this but has said she tried it once 18 months ago, but that is all. She said that the jab made her feel "so, so ill" and threw up three of four times as a result. Amy said the side effects "scared" her so much that she stopped using it "immediately". Amy said that she went to a private doctor with the hope of losing some weight. She had her weight and blood pressure checked during a consultation before being prescribed the injections which started at the lowest dose. However, Amy then chose to change her lifestyle instead. She began training and eating a healthy diet as she has worked with Freya from Potentia who is an online weight-loss coach based in Dubai.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Traitors star Claudia seen without eyeliner in candid photo from hospital bed
The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman has warned fans not to zoom in on her eye as she posts a candid pic from hospital bed. Mostly recognised for her iconic block fringe and eyeliner, Claudia Winkleman is being forced to change her look as she revealed that she had recently undergone eye surgery. As a result, the TV presenter won't be able to wear her staple eyeliner for the coming weeks as she recovers. On Friday night, the 53-year-old posted on Instagram a makeup free photo of herself and her doctor as she revealed she had surgery on her eye. Posing without her usual fake tan and heavy eye makeup, Claudia warned fans not to zoom into her eye as she shared that it's 'wonky'. Along with the picture, Claudia told her followers: "This amazing human makes me see. He's operated on my eyes before and he did it again today. No eyeliner for weeks and I sleep in goggles (no words) but I'm eternally grateful. "Do NOT zoom in on my left eye - it's wonky. Thank you Julian. I paid for the treatment, this isn't an ad. I just love him. It's very possible I'm still a bit sedated. Night night." One of the first to comment was Googlebox's Izzi Warner, who said: "We still have the costume and Bobby is willing to wear the eye liner for you if you need a stand in Claudia! Happy healing." Drag Race UK star Baga Chips also left praise for The Traitors host, writing: "You look beautiful Claudia." Also in the comments, one fan shared their experience with the same doctor. They said: "He did my eye surgery about 8 years ago! Played rock music as he did it. He told me it would be life changing and he was right. Amazing man!" Claudia informed her fans of her health update just days after she was made a MBE - Member of the Order of the British Empire - at the King Charles III's birthday honours. Alongside Strictly Come Dancing co-host Tess Daley, Claudia was honoured for her services to broadcasting. The new MBE said: "I am incredibly grateful to receive this honour. It's a real privilege to work with extraordinarily talented people and I have only got this because of them. "So this is for the BBC, the traitors and the faithful, for pianos and for the cha cha. I will buy a hat and am taking my mum. I am ridiculously lucky and will celebrate with Tess by doing a paso doble." As for her career in TV, the mum of three studied history of art at Cambridge University and began working as a TV and radio presenter after she graduated. She has fronted many BBC TV shows, such as Comic Relief and The Great British Sewing Bee. In 2004, Claudia became the presenter of Strictly's weekday companion show It Takes Two. However, she passed the mantle over to Zoe Ball when she took on the role of co-host for the Sunday night results show with Tess Daley. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. The presenter then became a regular fixture on the Saturday night show in 2014 after Sir Bruce Forsyth stepped down. Until 2024, she also presented on BBC Radio 2. On the station, she hosted a range of different programmes, including comedy quiz series Hot Gossip, Claudia on Sunday and the Claudia Winkleman Arts Show. In recent years, Claudia has been most notably recognised for being the Bafta-winning presenter of the hit BBC game show The Traitors - which won best entertainment performance at the 2023 awards. She is also set to presenter the upcoming spin-off series - The Celebrity Traitors. This show will see 19 celebs enter the Highlands' castle in a nine-part series set to be broadcast later this year. Some of the players include comedian Alan Carr, actor and broadcaster Sir Stephen Fry and retired diver Tom Daley.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Made In Chelsea star gives birth to baby boy and shares tot's unique name
Made In Chelsea star Nicola Hughes has announced the arrival of her second child, a baby boy, and shared the newborn's unique name in a sweet post on social media. Nicola, who is already a mum to daughter Penelope, announced the arrival of her son in an Instagram post.
