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the story of us.2019 - 2024

To Meg,my greatest treasure.

The stars aboveZimbabwe at 11:00 a.m.on the 16th of September, 2019

Table ofContents

14111731The start ofour story2020202120222023Songs thatremind me of us44Recipes thatremind me of us43Dear Meg 45

Their story started on the 10th of September, 2019, when Ashleyinvited Megan to join her as she got a tattoo. Meg eagerly agreed,and on the 16th of September after a brief tattoo session, Meganand Ashley, having both refrained from smoking for two months,made the decision to buy a box of cigarettes, each smoke one at apark bench, and then dispose of the box.After three consecutive days of meeting at the park to smoke, Ashand Meg had already planned a self-funded trip to Cape Town.Their first donation came from Granny Judy in the form of $40,which Meg stored in her old Gucci perfume box. Meanwhile,Ashley gathered her broken devices, which Megan listed onFacebook Marketplace. They created flyers which they distributedaround town looking for work, and even attempted to sell theirold clothes at the flea market. By December, they had $40 for their trip. 1

18th of January, 2020Darwendale Dam2

Boscobel drive 27th of January, 20203

When their Cape Town, 2020 trip got cut short due to thepandemic, Ash and Meg quickly became inseparable again inHarare. After seven months in Zimbabwe, Megan went on a trip toCape Town where Ashley joined; they shared a cottage for threeweeks where they fought about mayonnaise and shampoo. Following their return to Zimbabwe, Meg and Ash began planningtheir weddings, future tattoo ideas, and more adventures.4

10th of October, 20205

I am not whatI am what I choose happens to me to become

7

Clifton Fourth Beach15th of November, 20208

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In 2021, Ash and Meg both moved to Cape Town; Megan for her firstyear at Ruth Prowse School of Art, and Ashley to pursue yachting,but instead, Ash found multiple jobs as a waitress. They spent the year growing, physically, emotionally, andmentally. Meg and Ash came out of 2021 stronger than ever before.And though they visited Harare periodically, their roots werenow bound in Cape Town. 11

Kenilworth 20th of March, 202112

The Claremont 9th of April, 202113

Domboshava Road 3rd of July, 202114

Where there is love,Where there is love,And where there is And where there is we must live onwe must live onnot love,not love,We must provide itWe must provide it

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At the start of 2022, Rosie too moved to Cape Town so she couldattend The Design Academy of Fashion. She and Meg moved intoThe Woodstock Quarter, apartment C505, furnished andorganized by Ash and Meg during a challenging time of feverbrain. Ash moved into The Rockefeller, which was just down theroad from The Woodstock Quarter with the support of Rosie andMeg throughout the moving process. Together, they set out to embrace new scenes of the Western Cape,prioritize self-care, and indulge in the fabulous world of RuPaul'sDrag Race. The year held new experiences and a deeperunderstanding of themselves, marking the start of their self-discovery journies.17

this year will not endlike last year at all.you have learned to be free.you have learned to stay strongyou have held onto lightwhen the night was too long.you have braved many fearsyou have learned a new songand through all of these valleys,you have learned to stand tall.this year will not endlike last year at all.Morgan Harper Nichols18

Pringle Bay20th of March, 202219

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Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens21

8th of May, 202222

22nd of July, 2022 The Woodstock Quarter 23

20th of August, 2022Boschendal24

15th of November, 2022Atlantic Ocean25

Sexy, Groovy, Love19th of November, 202226

14th of December, 202227

Peace withinPeace withinPeace throughout Peace throughout

31st of December, 202229

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Early in the year 2023, Ashley went back to Cape Town, and Megan& Rosie left for the UK to visit Garth. By the time they had returnedto Cape Town, Ash had decided to go on the yachts. Meg, Ash, and Rosie spent the beginning of the year having moreadventures: visiting Silvermine, celebrating Ash's 21st and Meg's22nd birthdays, and going to Ultra 2023. On the 16th of March, Meg& Rosie took Ash to the airport, and the three of them had to saytheir tearful goodbyes.31

Silvermine3rd of February, 202333

The Woodstock Quarter25th of February, 202334

3rd of March, 2023 35

Babylonstoren4th of March, 202336

Ultra Music Festival10th of March, 202337

After 88 long days apart, Ashley returned to Cape Town tosurprise Rosie and Megan. Rosie returned to Harare shortly after,and Ash stayed with Meg for five days before also returning toHarare. Meg and Ash saw each other once more in July and againsix months later in Zimbabwe; they spent most of the Decemberholidays together.The three of them already have more adventures planned for 2024.38

15th of June, 202339

31st of December, 202340

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Egg's BenedictIngredientsEggsBaconPaprikaButterMethodPoach the eggs in a pot of boiling water with atablespoon of vinegar, create a vortex in the pot,and gently drop the egg in the centre untilpoached to satisfaction. Lie the bacon flat and fryor bake, While the bacon is cooking, cut theEnglish muffin in half and toast it on the stoveusing butter. To make the hollandaise sauce,separate the egg yolks of two eggs and mix themwith paprika, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Putthe egg mixture in a blender and melt twotablespoons of butter in the microwave. Blendthe egg mixture and slowly pour in the warmbutter while it's mixing. Place the English Muffinfirst, then bacon, then eggs, and pourhollandaise sauce on top. Garnish with chives ordill, (optional.)English MuffinLemon juiceSaltPepperVegetable SoupIngredients3 CarrotsCabbageCauliflower1 Large onion1 kg of Beef shinMethod6 PotatoesBaby marrowHerbs and spices3 packets of cream oftomato soup43Fry the shin and chopped onion with yourchoice of herbs and spices, (including meatspices) in a big pot until cooked. Grate allof the vegetables and prepare the souppackets as instructed and add both to thepot. Fill the rest of the pot with water andsimmer on low heat for roughly an hour,(taste periodically after 45 minutes).

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To my dear sister,Happy birthday Meg! Hope your day is as special as you are. You are my mostfavourite person and I definitely could not get through life without you. Yourconstant support keeps me going. You have such a kind heart and alwaysthink about others before you think about yourself. You are stronger thananyone I have ever met, both mentally and physically. I have always admiredyou and wanted to be like you, and I think I always will... you are thoughtful,independent, kind, beautiful and so easy to love, so of course I want to be likeyou. I am so grateful not only for you but also for the bond that we share. Iknow lots of sisters don’t get along so the fact that we are more than sisters,but best friends is something so very special. It is something I never want tolose. You have molded me into the person I am today and for that, I willforever be grateful. The many, many, many things that you do for me and this family do not gounnoticed, we all see your generosity and the love you share and if we werecapable of giving even half of what you give us, we would. I have never metsomeone who feels as deeply as you and although you don’t always enjoy it, Ithink it refreshing to know and truly feel the love you share. I hope you alsofeel the love I have for you and know that I would do anything for you. Iknow that this year you are going to do great things and you are going toachieve in all aspects, and I will be there not only to support you but also tocelebrate all your achievements. I am so proud of how far you have comeand the things you have gotten through. You are truly a beautiful humanbeing and I am so blessed to call you my sister.Love you forever and always,Your small beanXoxo

Dear Meg,When we first met, I had no idea the impact you would have on my life. I havenever met someone as incredible as you are. You're so kind and inspiring,you make everyone around you smile, and you've made me see the joy in theuniverse, especially when I needed it most. Being friends with you haschanged my world in the best possible ways. You've taught me patience,adventure, to be fabulous, to be myself, and so much more.You make me want to be like you when I grow up. You're so clever, creative,compassionate, and unapologetically yourself at all costs. Thank you forletting me twirl your hair or hold your hand even when you don't want to.Thank you for letting me have the fluffy blankets because you know I likethe texture. Thank you for putting up with my shenanigans when you aren'tin the mood. Thank you for being the person I turn to at every bump in theroad. You make me feel safe.I love everything about you, the way your hair has three different patterns,the way you don't know left from right, and the way you make me laughevery time I see you without fail. You will never have to question your placein my life. You are my favourite person and truly the greatest treasure Ihave. In the last four and a half years, I've had more adventures and mademore memories than the rest of my life combined, and it's all thanks to you.You should be so proud of the person you've become. I know little Meg wouldbe so happy to see how cool you are, what you do, who you choose to bearound, and how effortlessly beautiful you are. I consider myself so lucky tobe in your life. I can't wait to see what our future has in store for us. Happybirthday, my sweet Meggy.Love,Ash x