‘My first thought was he had a great bum’: Radio couple on falling in love at first ‘sight’

Radio presenter Matty Acton and wife Esther have revealed the cute way in which they met - and the two surprising things they just cannot agree on.

Matty Acton and wife Esther have been married for 12 years.

Radio presenter Matty Acton and wife Esther have revealed the cute way in which they met - and the two surprising things they just cannot agree on.

Matty Acton, 36, radio presenter

Esther Acton, 40, national sales manager

Years together: 18 years, married for 12 years

Kids: Ethan, 22, Zander, 10, Eden, 7

Matty

How did you meet?

Through my flatmate at the time. She is best friends with Esther and they came along to drinks at a friend’s place last minute.

What was the first thing you noticed about each other?

Her eyes. I can remember the exact spot we were both standing when we first saw each other. She was having a conversation about how soon was too soon to move on as she was just out of a relationship; I very smoothly told her it’s never too soon.

When did you first know it was love?

I’d say in the first three months. I hadn’t felt that way about anyone before, I always wanted to be near her and looking back I was (and am) a little obsessed.

Matty and Esther Acton with Zander, baby Eden and Ethan in 2017. Picture: Renae Droop

What was your most standout date?

We spent a whole weekend kid-free on the Gold Coast for our 10-year wedding anniversary.

What is the most romantic thing your partner has ever done for you?

Esther always cooks my favourite meals or will buy me my favourite chocolate or beer.

What is the secret to a happy marriage?

We are a team always! Everything we do is for us and our family and it’s never about the individual. We also make sure that each week we have time for just us. You can get very busy with children but we always make sure we have a date each week, even if it’s just an hour.

Who puts the bins out?

Me, always me.

What is the thing you argue the most about?

What plans we have on the weekend. I always forget them or she forgets to tell me them.

What do you find the most annoying about her?

I think she finds my budget spreadsheet annoying and I’m not stupid enough to say my perfect wife has any annoying traits.

Who does the most cooking?

We share that pretty evenly, but Esther is the better cook by far.

Matty Acton and Ethan, 22, who was 3 when he met Esther. Picture: Richard Gosling

How has having children affected your relationship?

Esther already had a three-year-old when we met so we don’t know any different. I feel very lucky that I have had the privilege of raising him as my own; he is now 22. Since having more kids, I’d say it’s made us closer.

Biggest relationship challenge you’ve been through?

We have moved a lot – we generally would move city every two years for my job. It was always for my career and it would be tough, especially with a child.

Three things that irritate you about her?

Esther can’t say no, she will always put herself out. When I put something down she will move it, and then I can’t find it. Esther doesn’t know what a fuel station is – every time I get in her car it’s empty.

Three things that you love about her?

She is so incredibly kind. Esther will always be there for other people. She is an incredible mother. And she is a hottie!

Matty Acton and wife Esther Picture: Peter Wallis

Esther

How did you meet?

My best friend Karmi and I were going to an 18th birthday, and for a pre-drink she suggested going to a unit where her new flatmate (Matt) was.

What was the first thing you noticed about each other?

He had his back to me … my first thought was he had a great bum.

When did you first know it was love?

I remember laughing so hard once that I was too weak to drive and I thought, I could do this forever.

What was your most standout date?

Anytime we get to be together and talk without anyone else is standout. We have lunch once a week, usually at a local cafe.

Matty Acton and wife Esther with baby Zander in 2014. Picture: Brendan Radke

What is the most romantic thing your partner has done for you?

Planning a two-week trip around Bali for my 40th.

What is the secret to a happy marriage?

Find someone who sees the good in you and overlooks some bad; stick together even on the days it’s hard to find the good.

Who puts the bins out?

Always him.

What is the thing you argue the most about?

“Budget chat” usually gets heated!

What do you find the most annoying about him?

We are both perfectionists but about totally opposite things.

Who does the most cooking?

It’s 50/50.

Matty Acton with baby Eden.

How has having children affected your relationship?

It’s brought out the best and worst in us both, it’s challenged us and given us incredible joy. It’s also meant we had to work harder on us as a couple.

Biggest relationship challenge?

Losing Matt’s dad was very tough, moving interstate four times and early on we didn’t have much support for us to be together. I was a 22-year-old single mum, he was 18 … it didn’t look good to anyone else. For us it’s the challenges life throws up that are the biggest threat. It’s not inside forces that put pressure on us – it’s people, work and responsibilities outside of our relationship. The key is to communicate and choose what’s best for our family, not others.

Three things that irritate you about him?

He’s an annoyingly good person; he never hangs up the bath mat; he doesn’t age and can mow the lawn once a week and stay fit. He gets more attractive the older he gets.

Three things that you love about him?

He is an annoyingly good person to everyone; he is very affectionate; he is selfless when it comes to our family.