Our Story
The 12th and 13th of October 2024 is a very special date to us, as it marks the 5th year since Andy took me on a romantic tour of Oxford for our first date, the first time we held hands, the first kiss under a sparkling Oxford sky and now our wedding!
Since our first date it’s been an incredible journey as our love grew more and more even in the most unprecedented times.
The pandemic came several months after dating and with me living in London, it was either spend an unknown amount of time apart or live together much sooner than expected. We opted for the latter and did not have any regrets… other than Leo’s little Holiday.
One of the best things about our relationship has been learning each other’s customs, traditions and exploring each other’s countries. Andy trying to get his head around the Polish language, our Christmas dinner being on the 24th of December and trying to communicate with my Tata.
He also introduced me to chufties and a number of other funny face expressions…
Andy was shocked when I was learning how to tackle cooking the famous English Roast dinner… and served it with a Chicken Kiev. I’m still not quite sure on English slang such as “Spilling the beans on the cats’ pyjamas” - the title of the 2nd book he brought me to help explain strange phrases and origins!
I’ve still not read the first from our first date!
Andy insists I include this.
My favourite British film Andy introduced me to is Kevin & Perry Go Large. Which we are due to go to our 3rd Kevin & Perry celebration night in Ibiza this September!
We have created so many wonderful memories over the past few years.
From holidays, our first trip away to Budapest all the way back before the pandemic, obviously Poland where he met my friends and family, as well as Greece and Ibiza several times amongst others.
There has been romance, laughter and tears (just me!)
We are grateful to have been surrounded by the love and support of our families and friends from the very beginning who have been very welcoming to both of us.
I’ve been welcomed into the Harbottle family from our first few weeks of dating where I braved meeting the whole family at once as Andy (and Sophina) invited me to her Birthday Party, followed by a Harbottle family Christmas not long after!
Andy has also felt so ******* welcome by my friends and family – he and my Tata are almost inseparable when they meet up, and somehow manage to have deep meaningful discussion pondering history, life and the universe despite the language barrier. He even taught him how to captain a ship!
They speak in Ponglish.
On our first trip to Poland, I took Andy to one of my most special places back in 2020, the Bieszczady Mountains. Somewhere I felt I would only take someone truly special to me with the fear of my happy place being tainted.
Andy remembered all.
Three years later… after a 7-hour hike on a trip I planned, at the top of Tarnica Andy told me “This special place for you, is now a special place for me, as you hold a special place in my heart” before paraphrasing some of our favourite artists and getting down on one knee and asking me to marry him.
I said YES!!!
It really was the most perfect proposal, the one I dreamed of in my special place, with my special someone and the perfect Ring. It was a heartfelt and intimate moment, and we can't wait to tell you more as we celebrate our special day on the 12th of October 2024.
And the 13th…
“Even back then, I knew I was looking at my future wife.”
— Andy
“He is the man of my dreams, I even described him in my diary.”
— Olga
