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MAFS' Martha Kalifatidis and Michael Brunelli's love story

"No matter what happened, in this lifetime we were going to meet and be together." - by Alex Lilly
  • 24 Sep 2021

Martha Kalifatidis may have made a name for herself throwing red wine on her Married At First Sight co-star, but it's her relationship with her TV groom Michael Brunelli that has really made history.

WATCH BELOW: Martha meets Michael at the altar

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The ratings giant may not be renowned for its success rate, but from the moment Martha and Michael met in 2018 on their TV wedding day sparks flew - for Michael at least.

"She's beautiful. She looked absolutely amazing. She's got this huge smile and it just drew me in. I think I've struck gold," the then-27-year-old primary school teacher said as his bride approached him.

Meanwhile Martha, who was 30 when she tied the knot on national television, later admitted to TV WEEK: "My first impressions of Michael were, 'Okay, I'm going to get arrested for making out with a toddler.' I was scared to ask him how old he was, I didn't want to know."

"He looked like he just got back from schoolies, fresh out of high school. He was clean shaven and all shiny, like a baby. I thought he was going to say he was 22. I was mortified. But no, he wasn't that young, he just obviously gets heaps of sleep, does yoga and drinks his green smoothies."

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Sparks flew when Michael first laid eyes on his bride.

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Michael may not have been her type physically when they met, but the attraction grew as the series progressed.

Along with co-stars Jules Robinson and Cam Merchant, the two went on to be one of season six's golden couples and proclaimed their love for one another at the final vows ceremony.

"I can definitely imagine my future with Michael," Martha told TV WEEK in 2019 shortly after their finale aired.

"Our foundations are similar and we have strong family values."

She added: "I do want to have children one day – I don't think I'm ready now, though. [But] I could imagine having a family with him. Yes, definitely."

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Martha and Michael returned for the 2021 MAFS Grand Reunion.

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Two years on from their season airing, Martha and Michael also attended the 2021 MAFS Grand Reunion special and revealed more insights into their relationship.

"She brings something out in me and I can calm her down. I'm an introvert, I don't say a lot. Two years ago I probably didn't have the confidence - Martha's been able to pull that out of me and make me feel comfortable to speak my truth, and I feel like for me that is a huge personal growth," Michael confessed.

Meanwhile Martha described their MAFS experience as "really incredible".

"Obviously we got to find each other but the amount of growth in the past two years, it wouldn't have happened if I didn't take the plunge and take the risk. Geez it paid off and I'm so grateful," Martha told experts Mel Schilling and John Aiken.

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"Obviously we got to find each other but the amount of growth in the past two years, it wouldn't have happened if I didn't take the plunge and take the risk."

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The influencer and makeup artist also revealed that she thought she and Michael would meet "no matter what".

“I always say Michael and I meeting was like fate and I know it's so cheesy because I hate saying cheesy s*** like that but I really think it is otherwise it doesn't really make sense,” Martha told the Shameless podcast in February 2021.

“I think we were going to meet no matter what. Michael actually in Melbourne lives five minutes away from my parents' house. No matter what happened, in this lifetime we were going to meet and be together.”

Speaking of her partner in an Instagram Q&A, Martha remarked: "He is my perfect match. We complement each other so well. I honestly don't think I'd be doing half the things I'm doing if it wasn't for him!" 

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"We compliment each other so well."

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These days, the couple are living together in Sydney's Bondi and admit they are inseparable.

In fact, they are currently in the process of moving house, and in all the commotion, forgot that it was their third anniversary.

"So, it's our three-year anniversary today... we obviously both forgot! I'm making (Irish) ice coffee to celebrate," Martha wrote on Instagram alongside a video of herself twirling in her kitchen, sans Michael.

However, the pair have obviously been busy, with Michael posting a hilarious reel to his Instagram of the pair arguing over Martha's clothes during the move.

WATCH: Michael and Martha struggle to move their clothes. Story continues below.

There's clearly no love lost between the pair, though.

"We literally spend every waking (and sleeping) second together and somehow I find myself loving you more every day," Michael wrote in a Valentine's Day tribute to his girlfriend earlier this year.

He added: "You could say we have a relationship with the perfect balance of crazy and quiet, screaming and whispering, intensity and relaxation... but the most important thing is that we bring out the absolute best in each other, and that’s why we grow stronger every day!⁣⁣"

Whilst fans are impatient for some engagement and/or baby news, the couple are enjoying taking their time and being with each other.

When asked if she was worried that she's getting too old for children, Martha admitted: "Not really!"

"I just have faith that everything's that's meant to be will be...and if that doesn't work out for me then modern medicine has come so far when it comes to fertility etc." 

Want your own fairytale love story? Sign up for eHarmony today!

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  • Martha Kalifatidis
Alex Lilly
Alex Lilly
Alex is a senior writer and editor who's crazy about all things reality TV and royals. When she’s not writing about the latest MAFS and Bachelor drama, you’ll find her trying to decide what to watch on Netflix.

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