Andy Lee and Bec Harding’s relationship is proof that love will find you when you least expect it

For Valentines Day in 2023, Andy surprised Bec with flowers….or did he? In true funny guy fashion, he addressed the flowers to their dog Henri much to Bec’s amusement!

Bec Harding and Andy Lee met in 2014 while the then 24-year-old was working as a waitress in Richmond café – and yes, it was love at first sight… for Andy at least!

Speaking of the moment in a later interview, Andy said: “I caught her eye and I was attracted to her. Just the way she was treating other people, she had a lovely demeanour.”

Andy said in order to get her attention, he ended up ordering a little more than he could chew. “I was trying to chat to her, so I was ordering a lot. I had like an hour and a half breakfast and you know I don’t really like that because I like getting in and out in food situations.”

In 2022 he shared more details with The Sydney Morning Herald about their first meeting. He said, “We met in a Richmond cafe. I was there writing stuff for the Logies, she was the waitress. She was attractive – but it was more her bubbly personality and how she wasn’t good at her job. She’d leave a table knowing about the person’s grandchildren or dog, but forget their order. I ordered cups of tea I never drank and eventually left a note on a napkin.”

He also admitted to leaving his email on the napkin which didn’t impress Bec. “She gives me flak about giving an email address. I was concerned that if I’d misjudged, I might receive prank phone calls. I didn’t give her “[email protected]”; it was my personal email.

“She emailed and I rang her straight away. She was very surprised; she was used to people texting, not calling. She told me she was two weeks away from finishing her master’s degree for the year. I said, “That’s a Tuesday. I’ll call you on the Saturday and tell you where I’m going to take you.” And we went out Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday.”

It was meant to be! The pair began dating seriously soon after, and despite a little hiccup in 2016 where they split for a short period, the pair were soon back on track and proving they were one of the country’s quirkiest couples.

In 2022 Andy revealed they broke up shortly after the Australian Open because of the intense attention Bec faced.

“Being in the public eye, there’s a short period before anyone knows about a new relationship. I cherish that time. But eventually I asked Bec to the Australian Open tennis. I told her the relationship might change afterwards, and she said, “Okay, big shot. Whatever.” But there was a lot of attention and Bec felt immense pressure. One small comment can feel big. It took its toll and we parted ways.

“It was a really sad, tough time – and confronting because I had to accept that what I do for a living created the situation. Bec quickly got her spark back, though. I thought my sadness would pass and I’d get on with my life, but the feeling didn’t go. When I still felt the same after six months, it was clear to me I should see whether she was interested,” he shared.

Andy told The Sydney Morning Herald a sweet story about Bec to explain why her sweet nature captures his heart.

“There’s chemistry – those aspects of a relationship you can’t put into words, the enigma of it – but it’s her care and kindness that drive me towards her the most. Once, she went to the nursery and came back with a plant that was nearly dead. I said, “Did they run out of plants?” She said, “No, but no one was going to buy this one.” She simply cares deeply. And that rubs off on me: I’m a more thoughtful person.

“That’s what relationships are meant to do: not change you completely, that’s always a disaster, but round out your edges. I can get obsessed with work and she brings a sense of calm. She’s way better at planning recreation. She likes holidays because she feels like I’m hers for that period. In Australia, I get people coming up to me all the time. I love it – honestly, they are often so lovely and funny and you get great material – but it can be annoying for Bec,” he said.

The couple are also hilarious together and there was the time that Bec bravely admitted on national radio that she’d crashed Andy’s car… one year later. In 2019, the then 30-year-old told Andy on Nova’s Fitzy & Wippa, “Do you remember last year, when I took your car in for an early service? Well, I actually smashed the front of your car, reversing in.” Oh, and we should probably add that said car was a luxury Audi… oops!

Of course the couple have celebrated major milestones in front of their fans too – in 2015, Bec completed her second degree with a masters in communications. “Proud of @rebeccalharding, getting her 2nd degree last night,” Andy wrote at the time, before cheekily adding: “Two more than @hamishblake has for those counting.”

And then there were milestones of the birthday kind. Bec celebrated her 30th birthday during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, but Andy still made sure she marked the day with style: “It wasn’t the HUGE 30th bash she’d planned but we celebrated her birthday weekend in style with a 4.30am finish 😎😘,” Andy captioned his Instagram tribute.

And two can play at that game – in 2021, Bec surprised Andy with a 40th birthday to remember… or not to remember? Sharing a balloon-clad hotel room the morning after the big night before, she wrote: “Surprise parties hit differently when you’re 40!”

The surprises never end between these two – In June 2021, Andy shared an adorable video where he surprised Bec with their sweet new puppy, Henri.

“When Bec met Henri 🐶❤️,” Andy captioned the video. He explained: “We’ve been waiting for this pup for a long, long time. I’ve known it was arriving today for about 4 months. Rapt to have kept the secret and so pleased @rebeccalharding was delighted to meet Henrietta rather than saying ‘what did you get that for? I’m into cats now!'”

Setting the standards pretty high here, Andy! Bec was visibly overcome with love and emotion.

Bec also helps Andy write his jokes, and he admitted to the Sydney Morning Herald he leans on her help.

“She is my go-to for testing out jokes. She’ll say, “People will get angry about that”, or “That’s not particularly funny”. I had a joke about O. J.  Simpson and she’s like, “I’m not sure if that’s appropriate.” I only realised how much I lean on her when we spent three months apart last year when I was filming The Hundred in Sydney. It was an eye-opener to realise how much she slips in and helps. I lean on Bec a lot.”

Bec also revealed to SMH her side of their love story and admitted she never considered Andy would be interested in her.

“I wasn’t interested in dating anyone, especially not this guy off the TV, but my friend said he seemed nice and at least I’d have a good story. Andy’s got this energy where you can’t help but feel great around him. But I was a uni student working in a café and he was one of Australia’s most celebrated talents. I felt he wouldn’t be interested in me.

“He called me five minutes after I sent the email, a real keen bean. I was surprised he didn’t text,” she shared.

She reflected on the fun early days of their relationship and how that changed when they went public.

“Our relationship was fun and exciting at the start, but then I got insecure and miserable. There were times we had people following us and photographers outside the house and that was daunting. I was starting my career and doubting myself and my ability. Did I get this job because of who I’m dating? I’d make friends and wonder, do they actually like me? I struggled. Andy and I ended up having a break in 2016.

“I spent six months reminding myself: “I’m good, I’m talented.” I kept my job. I kept my friends. I got my spark back and we got back together,” she said.

“When Andy was 15, his mum was unwell. They thought she had two weeks to live and she was in hospital for a long time. She made it through, and I think that experience helped make him a kind, generous, life-living person, but you can see that pain sometimes.

“He knows you can lose someone tomorrow. I’ve softened him over the years: he never used to celebrate birthdays, he was never fussed about Christmas. He was like, “Why do we need Christmas wrapping paper when we’ve got birthday wrapping paper?” No,” Bec told SMH.

Bec also commented on the ways Andy has helped her grow. She said, “I feel as though Andy’s my best friend. We complement each other. I watch him love what he does every day. He is inspirational. He may work ridiculous hours, but seeing how much joy it brings has made me realise I should work towards creating a life doing what I want to do. He shows me that if you work hard and you’re a nice person, you can chase those dreams.”

When they attended a friend’s wedding, Andy posted this picture and gushed, “Nagged myself a bridesmaid!”

Bec looked radiant during their Valentine’s Day dinner and Andy revealed the cheeky comment she made.

“I asked her to be my valentine, she said she’d think about it.”

“Sleepy girls while I watch late night tele 📺 I’m surprised they aren’t as into the cricket highlights as I am 🤷🏻‍♂️.”

Couples that get vaxxed together, stay together…

Andy and Bec have brought an 1876 house in Hawthorn with no running water, kitchen, or bathroom, and they’re excited to renovate it together.

“It’s one hell of an undertaking, but renovations are good for relationships, right?” joked Andy to SMH.

“Taking care of three kids can be really difficult… but I manage,” joked Andy while making our hearts soar.

“I don’t see the age difference at all, except when she doesn’t understand Back to the Future quotes. My view on relationships is that there isn’t “the one”. I think that’s a scary mindset, because you might lose that person: they leave you, or something terrible happens, like their passing. I think we have many “ones”, but it’s rare to find them. I’ve always felt that if I was too old or annoying for Bec, I’d be devastated, but it wouldn’t be the end of my life. But I do love her to bits.”

The couple lived their best life in London and did some touristy things like watching Ed Sheeran in concert, pub beers, and suffering from jet lag.

They got cosy while enjoying London’s famous busses.

“Her street eat is more attractive than my street eat!!”

Romance was also on the agenda, just take a look at this sunset snap from Greece. They really do look amazing together.

The couple looked all loved up on their europe trip but Andy quickly debunked rumours of an engagement. “I’m just waiting for Bec to do it!” Andy joked to Kyle and Jackie O when they returned. “She might do it – yes! I’m a bit old school, but I think I’m safe because she’s pretty old school as well”