Having found love on reality TV, Leisel Shepherd and Brayden Pettigrew are that rare thing, joining the ranks of The Bachelor’s Art and Matilda Green, and Angel and Brett Renall from Married At First Sight.
This winning pair found their fairytale romance on the first season of Down For Love, TVNZ 2’s warm-hearted dating show for Kiwis with Down syndrome, and return to the show for the second series this week.
“When I first met Bray, it was at mini golf in Auckland on Down For Love,” explains Leisel, 24. “She played really well,” adds Brayden, 22, not at all miffed that Leisel cleaned up.
Smiling, she notes, “I even got three holes in one.” Which would be impressive at the best of times, but on a high-pressure date with cameras following you, it’s even more amazing.
“I didn’t know what to expect of our first date, but I wasn’t nervous,” continues Brayden. “Then I saw my queen for the first time and she was so very, very cute. She was also the cuddliest girl I’d ever met in my entire life. I just couldn’t ask for a better girl.”
To show he means it, Brayden gives his beloved a big kiss.
It’s been two years since that magical first date, with the happy couple’s anniversary falling on 14 May, which is also Brayden’s sister’s birthday, making the day doubly special.
“We’re more in love than ever now and Leisel never wants to let me go, obviously,” he says. “For our first anniversary, we went to Rainbow’s End, where we saw some of our fans.”
“We call them the maniacs,” Leisel giggles.
Although it wasn’t all laughs. Brayden tells, “Leisel had a couple of big cries because she wasn’t tall enough to go on some of the rides.”
Their second anniversary, this year, was triply special because it fell on Mother’s Day, which they celebrated with pizza, chips and ice cream. They’re a perfect match when it comes to kai, says Brayden, adding, “We love fish ‘n’ chips the best – that’s a New Zealand classic.”
Although when they’re at home, Brayden’s a dab hand in the kitchen. “My signature dishes are nachos and chicken lasagne. I love to barbecue sausages, ribs and steak too.”
When asked what makes a relationship work, Brayden and Leisel have clearly given it some thought. He declares, “It always starts with honesty, trust, kindness and being thoughtful, and Leisel is all of those things. She’s the top-top-top with a cherry on top and I have done some incredible things with my queen, who I love so much.”
After a kiss from her king, Leisel adds, “And I make him laugh. Brayden is the cutest, with an amazing heart full of love, which is why I love him so much. I also love his blond hair – it’s like a Milky Way dream.”
The only thing the young couple would change about their relationship is that they both wish they lived closer, so they could spend more time together. But with Brayden in Papakura studying Living Skills at MSL’s Manukau campus in the Supported Learning Department, and Leisel in Red Beach on the Hibiscus Coast, working as one of the top cosmetics consultants for Nutrimetics, that’s easier said than done.
“I do find it quite hard only seeing Leisel once or twice a month because I would prefer to see her every day,” says Brayden.
“But we are good at communicating long distance,” insists Leisel. “We have lots of calls and we text throughout the day.”
“And at night, we FaceTime because Leisel is the cutest thing ever,” continues Brayden, while Leisel basks in the warmth of her boyfriend’s kind words.
As for the future, after Brayden has graduated, the loved-up twosome intend to live together in a mansion with a home cinema and a popcorn machine. Liesel will continue to sell Nutrimetics and they’ll save money for their wedding, which will surely be lavish.
“I’ve already saved enough money to buy my own spa pool,” Leisel says proudly.
There is one area where the pair disagree – Brayden loves playing pranks, while Leisel makes it clear she’s not a fan of them at all. But that’s an easy crinkle to iron out – and even if there are a few tiny tiffs, this happy couple looks set to live happily ever after.
Down For Love returns 8.30pm Thursday on TVNZ 2.
