Sometimes, the best love stories are the ones that were right under your nose all along.
That seems to be the case for actress Emily Atack and her now-fiancé Alistair Garber, who are soaking up the sun—and each other—in a romantic retreat in France’s scenic Midi-Pyrénées region.
Living the Engagement Dream
Just days after announcing their engagement, the couple is clearly still in celebration mode.
Emily, 35, who said “yes” to Alistair’s proposal last Friday, looks happier than ever.
Her Instagram carousel is filled with candid moments from their getaway, giving fans a glimpse into her joy-filled bubble.
In one photo, the “Rivals” star is caught mid-laugh with Alistair by her side, both sipping drinks and clearly enjoying each other’s company.
She kept it laid-back in a denim dress, adding a playful twist with a red bandana in her hair, chunky bracelets, and oversized shades.
That Ring, That Glow, That Smile
Another shot captures Emily beaming with a friend, the dazzling engagement ring front and center.
Ditching the glam, she went makeup-free, letting her sun-kissed glow and damp beachy waves do all the talking—likely fresh from a pool dip.
A short video in the mix shows the couple caught in a sweet, spontaneous kiss.
Emily was setting the table when Alistair, shirtless and cheeky, leaned in and stole a smooch—adding even more romance to their countryside bliss.
Dancing, Laughing, Loving Life
Emily didn’t hold back on the carefree holiday vibes.
She was seen dancing barefoot in the garden, arms in the air, wearing a white mini dress and brown sandals.
Later, she swapped the outfit for a flowy floral maxi dress and slung a straw tote bag over her shoulder as she admired the stunning green views.
The actress couldn’t help but gush in the caption, writing: “I love you, I’m glad I exist”—paired with a peach emoji, naturally.
A Love That’s Decades in the Making
What makes this love story even sweeter is the history behind it.
Emily and Alistair have actually known each other since they were kids.
Their families became connected in the early ’90s when Emily’s aunt Jane married Alistair’s dad, Stephen Garner.
In her 2019 memoir Are We There Yet?, Emily shared just how deep her cousin relationships run—calling them the perfect mix of sibling and best friend.
So it makes sense that someone from that circle ended up being “the one.”
From Family Ties to Building a Family
The pair welcomed their first child, Barney, in June 2024.
Speaking to HELLO! Magazine, Emily called Alistair her “literal rock” and opened up about the difficult labour that ended in an emergency C-section.
She said she couldn’t have done it with anyone else by her side.
“All the clichés become true,” she admitted.
“He really is my rock. I couldn’t do life with anyone else.”
A Baby, A House, And A Whole New Chapter
Their journey to parenthood moved quickly. After just a year of dating, Emily realized she’d missed a period in late 2023.
They took a pregnancy test “for a laugh”—and it turned out to be the happiest moment of their lives.
Shortly after that, Alistair packed up his Manchester life and moved in with Emily.
They even bought a home together, and in perfect movie-like timing, baby Barney arrived just a day after they finished unpacking.
Holding Her Family Close
Emily comes from a large, blended family. Her parents—actress Kate Robbins and musician Keith Atack—split in 2007, but both sides of the family are big and close-knit.
Alistair is tied to her mother’s side, and his father Stephen sadly passed away in summer 2023—something Emily has spoken about with deep emotion.