Our Love Story
Having just taught online safety to a class of Year 5 children, I was well aware of the dangers of meeting a stranger online. The possible scams of the lovelorn. The promised riches of Nigerian Princes. The catfishers I‘d seen from my sister‘s love of MTV. So when the first ever message I received came through, there was a fair about of scepticism. Even more so, as I was chopping logs for the first (and last) time. The profile was beautiful, pictures of an adventurous soul, in the jungle, drinking tea, and really living life. I remember my picture, fluffy hat, sunglasses, taken at a golf driving range as I looked off to the distance- all in the hope that no one recognised me. Yet we had matched.
Chatting through messages was natural, free-flowing and exciting. I was invested fully. A couple of days later we agreed to meet. Nigerian Princes had not been forgotten- neither of us wanted to say wherever lived, and Charlotte was working long shifts at Southampton General. We decided the only logical thing to do was meet for dessert. But where? Naturally the road to Southampton is paved with fine establishments, but I didn’t know those at that point so chose the Red Rover at Wellow.
That night we sat chatting in the beer garden until it got cold, heading inside where I dazzled the beautiful girl in front of me the only way I knew how, shots of vinegar at the table as the bar had closed and they wanted us out- but we didn’t want the date to end. We stood in the car park, gazing at the stars for what seemed like hours. The perfect first date.
I agreed to cook for Charlotte, the next night and from that point on, we have been pretty much inseparable. Marriage was discussed in the first week. My cold feet made Charlotte wait for the next three and a half years before I finally proposed, a Willow-dog later too! Then Covid hit, and as key workers, we weren’t really able to fully experience the lockdowns thankfully, but the support and care we showed each other over that time, with a newborn, is the strongest foundation.
We have supported, cared and shared every moment of the last 11 years, now sharing two beautiful children, Amelia and Theo. Our love has always been strong and continues to grow. We have experienced everything a relationship can throw at us- always together, always loving, always united.
I am truly the happiest and luckiest man alive to be marrying my soulmate, best friend and biggest supporter. Charlotte is the best part of me and I am so thankful she has been patient with me and we can have the wedding she deserves!
It started with a swipe…
My mum actually picked David when swiping on my Tinder saying ‘He looks nice, he’s got kind eyes and he’s a teacher’. We met for the first time on the 9th of April 2015 at the Red Rover pub in Wellow. We talked for hours and I remember how passionate he was about improving the lives of children, particularly those who came from really difficult backgrounds. Our first kiss was under the stars. On our second date he cooked me a 3 course meal, and from that moment onwards, we were fairly inseparable.
Our first trip away was to Weymouth, which David surprised me with after work. The first of many little breaks, our favourites being to see my family in Switzerland and to see a particularly famous car in Vienna (ifykyk). He would drive me to and from night shifts in Southampton and his constant support kept me going through all the difficult days.
2018 was a big year for us. We brought home our Willow dog, got engaged (!!!) and also found out we were expecting our little surprise baby. 2019 gave us our perfect little girl, Amelia, and absolutely changed our lives for the better. As David said at our NCT group debrief, it really made us more of a team. Our beautiful boy Theo was born in 2022, our little rainbow. Our home and hearts were bursting.
David has always been my biggest champion and defender. He has been at my side during the highest highs and the lowest and most terrifying moments of my life. Through the chaos and magic, he chooses me, every single day. He is my home and my calm. I cannot imagine doing life with anyone else. I love you.