Tori and I met in 2000. We lived close to New York City during the September 11 attacks and were luckily not directly affected by the attacks, although many of our friends and friends of friends lost their loved ones back then. Little did we know how the world would change in the years to come nor how 13 years later it would mean the end of our life together as we knew it.

Tori and I were made for each other. We are so lucky that our two souls found each other in this world, growing up in countries on complete opposite sides of this world; but we found each other and knew we belonged together ??? indefinitely.

Our love grew each day over the 14 years ??? and we both could feel this. Our minds were at peace when in each other's company ??? not much needed to be said. We knew how the other one felt and what he was thinking. With the exception of being at work we did not spend one minute apart. All interests we had we shared passionately. Travelling the world, exploring history and other cultures, tasting foreign foods and appreciating nature. There was so much in this world Tori would have still liked to discover: The mountains of Japan, the glaciers of Antarctica, the forest of the Amazon, the pyramids of the Incas, the carnival in Rio and so much more. He will need to see it through my eyes now.

Tori had the kindest heart ??? he was a very gentle, loving and sensitive person. He was humble and fair. He loved life. He used to tell me "all I want is for you to be happy" ??? I could have not been happier going through life with my darling Tori. He never demanded anything and Tori and I never argued about anything. Family was always important to both of us ??? so we both maintained very strong links to our families. He had so much more love to give.

Up until 2012 Tori worked as restaurant manager in Darling Harbour. Stressful weekends, long hours and physically hard work. It started to affect his health and I suggested to him to leave work and take up architecture or a design course. Something he always wanted to do. He planned to build a house for us one day. In his free time he would source ideas from magazines, the internet or take pictures of interesting buildings.

He never got around to do a course. After he was attacked over a taxi on his way home from work on a Saturday night, we decided he needed to leave Darling Harbour and seek employment in a safer environment. So he took up the position as manager of the Lindt Caf?? at Martin Place. He was overqualified for this role and although he enjoyed it, it was not his dream job.

Our dream was to move to the country, build a house and get a dog. That simple. We already had found the meaning of our life ??? our love for each other. Tori started to build a model of what our future house could look like. It is still sitting in our living room. He told me it would have a huge surprise and he obviously could not tell me what it was ??? I will never know what he meant.

In September 2014 I worked on a new hotel opening here in Sydney. The hotel opened in November that year. But from September until his death in December I worked nonstop. We never had a weekend off together again. He was so patient, caring and supportive during this time in any possible way. I fell asleep with my head in his lap every night ??? I will never forget. Nearing the end of my project in December Tori was getting excited ??? change was coming and a new adventure would bring new experiences, excitement and opportunities???

When I received the phone call in the morning of December 15, I felt it was all coming to an end. Tori being the manager I immediately understood the risk and threat to his life. My young man who could not hurt a fly, lived a selfless life in pursuit of his happiness and derived his meaning of life by caring and being there for the ones he loved. He never had a choice but to stay with the hostages ??? and he knew this. Any actual or attempted escape would mean somebody would get hurt. Tori had more courage than anybody else that night. He was not only a brave man. He knew he was abandoned and he knew he would die. After one of many fired shots that missed, he put himself back on his knees to be finally shot in his head. There is no word to describe what he has experienced or gone through. Our lives will never be the same ??? my heart is broken forever.

I can feel him present every day. Tori is with me ??? in my heart. Our love for each other is still growing and can never be taken away by anything or anybody. It will continue to exist for a long time after our lives have come to an end. Until then I carry our love in my heart. It is the best I can do. Remembering the most beautiful being I have ever met and who I was so lucky to spend the most beautiful 14 years of our lives together.

In Loving Memory of my partner darling Tori??? We will never forget.

??? Thomas

Extracted from the NSW Coroner's inquest into the Lindt Cafe siege deaths.