How we met: “He was handsome, with a dad vibe. And he lived in Wollongong!

When Nicholas first laid eyes on Trent, he didn't expect to feel a spark of attraction. “I had just separated from a marriage,” he says. "I loved triathlons, so I went to Canberra with a group of friends to take part in a race." The event took place on Australia Day 2017, which turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year. "Someone mistakenly put diesel in the pilot car and the race was delayed," he said. While waiting to start, Nicholas saw Trent. "I started talking to him because we didn't know how long we would be held," he says.

Trent noticed that Nicholas was "handsome" with a ‘dad vibe.’ “He was nice but I was mostly focused on the racing," he says. "I tend not to chat too much with my rivals on race days. I became more interested when he told me he lived in Wollongong, because that's where I grew up. We immediately had this connection.

Nicholas soon realized that Trent was an accomplished athlete. “I was there, barking about being a weekend runner,” he laughs. Towards the end of the race, they spotted each other again and shared a smile. After they both finished the course, they said congratulations to each other. "I assumed one of the women he was with was his wife," Trent says.

Although Nicholas wasn't looking for love, something to About Trent piqued his interest. He had always questioned his sexuality, but, having married young, it was not something he had explored. He found Trent online and added him as a friend on Facebook. "It took me two days to create a short message for him," he says. "I suggested we meet for coffee or a run in Sydney where he was living when I next visit." When he got no response, he assumed Trent wasn't interested.

"I didn't see the message until six weeks later, when I was going to Wollongong for a race," Trent explains. "I wrote to him asking if he was going to be there." As Nicholas was also competing, they exchanged numbers and agreed to meet to pick up a cafe after the event. Trent admits he wasn't sure Nicholas was interested and brought his brother with him. "I think I had already fallen in love with him when we went to the cafe," says Nicholas "There was something about him that made me think he was made for me. I asked him to show me his medals later. »

Trent was a bit more reserved. "I really loved him, but I appreciated my brother's input," he says. "He thought Nicholas was definitely interested in me." He went to Nicholas's later that day and immediately bonded with his dog. “While I was there Nicholas came in with a kiss. I was a little surprised, but I knew there was something between us.

Working with Trent's busy schedule, they arranged to go for a run together. “I was trying to pretend that I was a better runner than me,” laughs Nicholas. After that, they started meeting regularly for bike rides, activities and brunches.

In May, Trent left Australia to travel and participate in races in the United States and Canada. "The trip lasted a few months and I was upset because I was really in love with him," says Nicholas. They stayed in touch every day. “I even sent her some old-fashioned postcards by regular mail,” Trent explains. He returned in October and the couple moved in together in January 2018. "I told my parents about my relationship and then my kids a few months later," Nicholas says. "Everyone was really happy for me."

Nicholas works as a horticulturist while Trent does massage therapy to help people prevent sports injuries. They recently moved to a house in Coffs Harbour, north of Sydney, where they live with their dog, Astro, and rabbit, Stella. The couple got engaged in 2020 and hope to wed now that lockdowns have been lifted.

Nicholas says there's nothing not to like about Trent. "He's honest, sweet and kind and never speaks ill of anyone." Trent loves how caring his partner is. “He always puts my needs first and is selfless. He is extremely caring."

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