Working on her next book, Aoife Dooley's partner, Rafael Nascimento, whisked her off for a holiday in Portugal for her birthday and what better way to celebrate than in the sunshine.
The couple met on Tinder in December and laughing, Aoife told EVOKE, 'He’s like the male version of me!' A romantic soul, she said that 'our first date, he brought me flowers, and I think it was the first time I ever got flowers on a date'
However, when it came to popping the question, Aoife said she had no idea, but says she is the happiest she has ever been.
Still on cloud nine, the author told us how it all happened, on a cliff called Praia do Molhe in Portimão.
'He took me away to Portimao in Portugal for my birthday, and it was our first sun holiday. We had an amazing time and it was about three days in we were getting ready to go out and my make up just wasn’t going on the way I wanted it and so he helped me so we could go out (not realising he was probably so nervous because I had absolutely no idea this was coming) and then we drove to this cliff,' she told us.
'He took me away to Portimao in Portugal for my birthday, and it was our first sun holiday. We had an amazing time and it was about three days in we were getting ready to go out and my make up just wasn’t going on the way I wanted it and so he helped me so we could go out (not realising he was probably so nervous because I had absolutely no idea this was coming) and then we drove to this cliff,' she told us.
Remembering the moment she stated, ' I was looking out at the waves and I started talking about something, I think I said ‘the sea is mad, isn’t it? Like, it can just take you, it’s huge. With that, he got down on one knee, and I think my eyes nearly fell out of my head. I said, ‘Are you doing what I think you’re doing?’ And he said yes and asked me. I started balling so that the eyeliner did not last long.'
While the pair only met in December, Aoife says, 'When you know, you know,' highlighting how he is one of the nicest people she has ever been out with.
'He’s the kindest person I've ever met, and he understands me on a level I don’t think anyone ever has. He is amazing.'
'When I told him I am autistic, he researched and asked me things, and he makes sure I’m comfortable. One time I had a meltdown, and I didn’t even need to do anything, he knew what to do.'
While it is still early days when it comes to what they want to do for the big day, Aoife says We have no plans as of yet other than to celebrate with some family and friends, and we are planning on travelling to Brazil next year.'
Congratulations, Aoife and Rafael!
