Married At First Sight Australia is designed to bring two strangers together, but for the second time in the 2025 season, the participants, Rhi and Jeff already knew each other in the outside world.
The once-in-a-season event has happened once more as Jeff and Rhi previously dated in the real world until they parted ways amicably.
MAFS is finishing up for the season and these two have had our hearts since the beginning! To read their journey on MAFS and to see their final decision (if it isn’t already obvious) scroll on.
Tired of the modern dating scene is Rhi, a 34-year-old account manager from Victoria who is ready to settle down and raise a family.
“I think there are benefits to meeting someone later in life,” she said. “I don’t want to settle because of my age. I want to settle because I’m so in love.”
Rhi has been matched with Jeff, a 39-year-old electrician from Victoria, who is also looking to start a family with a partner who shares his values and supports him.
“Oh my god,” Rhi said upon recognising her ex-partner. “I know him.”
At least this means the awkward pleasantries are out of the way…
“We dated last year. It kind of just fizzled, we both just went our separate ways. But we remained friends – we just ran a half-marathon together. We’ve even had coffee and stuff since then,” she told the crew.
“Jeff is an amazing person. It was just pretty much a timing thing – that was the reason it did not go forward.”
Jeff confirmed the pair met in Melbourne shortly after both parties had ended a long-term relationship. Despite the pair deciding to “friend zone” each other at the time, Jeff couldn’t deny their similarities in personality and with hobbies.
It hasn’t been smooth sailing in the experiment for Jeff and Rhi as they worked hard to build a romantic connection. But slow and steady wins the race!
“I think we’ve come a really long way considering the honeymoon where we couldn’t be further apart. I still remember thinking to myself, ‘I cannot believe that I’m paired with him. I’ve been with him before, this is not going to work’,” Rhi recalled with Yahoo Lifestyle.
During Homestay Week on MAFS, Rhi recalled entering Jeff’s home previously but never during the day. As Rhi reflected on the past, Jeff certainly brought her back to the current moment as he gifted her a key to his home! A move that no other couple in the experiment has made.
I think we could all predict the decision that these lovebirds were going to make it through final vows, but we didn’t know we needed to get the tissues ready!
“Knowing my feelings were being matched gave me the confidence and reassurance I needed, I started to picture our future together,” Jeff began.
“Rhi, I am falling in love with you, Rhi you’re it for me, I choose you and I hope this is forever.”
Just when we thought the vows couldn’t get any better, Rhi shared her beautiful words.
“You are worth, every day, every week, every month it takes to discover our happily ever after,” Rhi shared.
“Life with you is just lighter and I am just so lucky to be able to hang out with my best friend every day.
“Jeff, I have never been in love before but there is something different here and right now I can say I’m falling in love with you,” Rhi finished.
One of our favourite couples from the start, we can’t wait to see where this journey takes them.
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