Within a year of meeting, Nikki and Jamie decided to marry, taking a leap that set in motion the rest of their shared story.
By March 2010, they were husband and wife — and from the outset, their life together blended personal commitment with creative collaboration.
Two decades ago, going from an online introduction to a real‑life partnership was uncommon; yet for Nikki and Jamie, it felt natural, rooted more in mutual respect and shared dreams than in conventional romance.
Their story took an unexpected turn into global attention in 2012, when Jamie crafted a proposal video that would catapult them into internet fame.
Knowing Nikki loved watching heartfelt proposal videos online, he orchestrated a public surprise in Federation Square in Melbourne.
A giant screen played footage of their moments together while Nikki watched, unaware that friends were capturing it on film.
The couple shared the video on YouTube simply to show family and friends, but it exploded — amassing millions of views and unexpectedly introducing them to an audience around the world.
This viral moment marked the beginning of their life as YouTube creators.
Encouraged by the overwhelming response, they launched their Jamie and Nikki channel, documenting milestones from daily routines to vacations and family memories.
Their wedding video soon followed, surpassing even the proposal in popularity and further cementing their unexpected internet presence.
Rather than starting out to chase fame, they said at the time their intention was simply to capture memories they could one day look back on — a digital scrapbook of joy, love, and family life.
In the years that followed, the couple welcomed two daughters who would become central figures in their shared story.
Their first child, Ava Sarah Perkins, was born in January 2016, and their second daughter, Zoe, arrived in March 2018.
Alongside their beloved dog Louis, the Perkins family quickly became beloved by viewers around the world, their warm interactions and playful personalities turning millions of strangers into loyal followers.
Yet as Nikki and Jamie’s online profile grew, the world outside the screen did not always remain gentle.
Born in Khartoum, Sudan, she relocated with her family first to Egypt as a baby and later to Australia, settling in Melbourne’s suburbs.
Her childhood was marked by hard work and modest aspirations, with family members encouraging traditional careers and privacy rather than public exposure. Continue reading…
