“I’m going to marry the man of my dreams!!”
That was the announcement from Libby Matthews, one half of lifestyle blogging duo Julia & Libby, who has just become engaged to All Whites soccer star Michael Boxall.
Sharing an image on Instagram of her sizeable new engagement ring, Libby wrote “Dream ring from my dream fiancé.”
She received plenty of love from her followers, including fellow sporting WAGS Hannah Laity, fiancée of All Blacks star Beauden Barrett who wrote “LOOOOOVE IT”, and Fatima Savea, wife of former All Black Julian Savea who wrote “Amazing!! Congratulations beautiful xx.”
Michael followed up with a post of his own. “The secret is to have a baby with your dream girl so they can’t say no,” he wrote. In response to Libby’s comment about marrying the man of her dreams, he joked “about time.”
Libby has made a name for herself as a wellness blogger, author and naturopath. She and her sister Julia Matthews set up the popular lifestyle and wellness blog Julia & Libby in 2012 and quickly rose to prominence with TV appearances and a bestselling cookbook.
Libby and Michael have been dating since 2014. They welcomed their first child, daughter Maxwell, in December 2016. Libby was convinced they were having a boy and had already decided on the name Beau Maxwell. They were more than a little surprised when she gave birth to a baby girl, but decided to stick with the name Maxwell anyway.
“We picked Maxwell initially because it’s a family name from my dad’s side, and the more I thought about it, the more I liked it, even for a little girl,” she said. They’ve faced criticism along the way, but Libby says “Max is cute and perfect for our little baby, so I’m trying not to listen to critics.”
Libby has previously written about the struggles she faced during pregnancy. At the time they found out they were expecting (unplanned, but a happy surprise) they were living in different countries – Libby in New Zealand, and Michael in South Africa where he was playing for club side SuperSport United.
After a year of travelling between the two countries, Libby decided to make the permanent move to South Africa before Maxwell was born.
“Having a baby in another country can seem like a terrifying thing to do and this was not the easiest decision for me to make,” she said at the time. “I will be away from my friends and family, not to mention in a completely different time zone with a 20+ hour flight back home to New Zealand.”
The family now lives in Minnesota where Michael plays for Major League Soccer side Minnesota United FC.
Congratulations to the happy couple! We’re sure Maxwell will make an adorable flower girl!
