Our first date

Jordan had always loved the magic of cinema, but tonight felt different. The old warehouse tucked away in the winding streets of East London had been transformed into a secret cinema, buzzing with anticipation. He had heard whispers about this place—a hidden gem where classic films came alive in immersive experiences. As the flickering lights of the venue reflected off the cobblestone streets, Jordan felt a flutter of excitement mixed with a touch of nervousness. He wasn’t just here to watch It’s a Wonderful Life; he was about to meet Chloe, the girl who had been a voice on the other end of the screen for the past few weeks. Chloe, meanwhile, sat on the train, her heart pounding as the London landscape blurred past. She had met people online before but there was something different about Jordan, the way he listened, the way he made her laugh, the way they felt so comfortable so quickly. When she stepped off the train, her big curls bouncing beneath her even bigger coat, she spotted him instantly. He was just as she had imagined—tall, warm, and smiling as if he had been waiting for her his whole life. Jordan’s breath caught when he saw Chloe approach. She was more beautiful than he could have ever imagined. As she neared, her smile bright and warm, all his nervousness melted away. “Chloe?” he asked, his voice tinged with excitement. “Jordan,” she replied, her smile broadening. “It’s so good to finally meet you.” They exchanged a warm hug before Jordan opened the car door for her.

As they drove to the cinema, the conversation flowed as easily as it had online, but now with the added thrill of being face to face. Inside the cinema, the atmosphere was electric. The scent of mulled wine mingled with the crisp air, and the audience was dressed in big winter coats, creating the perfect Christmas scene. As they walked inside, Chloe felt a surge of warmth; the magic of the night was already unfolding. She had been nervous that the spark they had online might not translate to real life, but so far, everything felt more than right. Wanting to add a personal touch to the night, she held up a small tin, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. “I brought you something,” she said, handing it to him. Jordan opened the tin to find a batch of homemade sausage rolls, their golden pastry still warm. “I remembered you mentioned you loved these,” Chloe explained, a bit shyly. He couldn’t help but grin. “You made these for me?” “Of course,” she said softly, watching as his eyes lit up. Her heart swelled, happy that her gesture had been well received. It was a little piece of herself she wanted to share with him.

As they found their seats and the opening scenes of It’s a Wonderful Life began to play, Jordan felt a quiet joy settle over him. Watching George Bailey’s journey, sitting next to Chloe in this enchanting place, made the story feel more real, more poignant. From her seat, Chloe glanced at Jordan, his face illuminated by the screen, and felt a wave of contentment wash over her. This was exactly how she had hoped the night would go, wrapped in the magic of the film and the warmth of each other’s company. When the film ended and the room filled with applause, Jordan turned to Chloe. Her eyes glistened, the glow from the screen casting soft shadows across her face. “What did you think?” he asked, though he could already tell from her expression. “It was perfect,” she whispered, smiling at him. “And I’m glad I got to share it with you—and that you liked the sausage rolls.” “They were amazing,” Jordan said with a chuckle.

Sharing that small moment, they both realized just how special this night had become.

As they stepped out into the chilly London night, the world seemed a little more wonderful. The streets sparkled with festive lights, and without thinking, Jordan reached for Chloe’s hand. She didn’t pull away. Instead, she squeezed his fingers lightly, a silent agreement that this night—this unexpected meeting—was the beginning of something special. When they reached Chloe’s parents’ house, a cosy home adorned with twinkling lights, Chloe hesitated before inviting Jordan inside. “Would you like to come in for a bit? I’d love for you to meet my family,” she said, her voice soft with hope. Jordan agreed, and as they stepped inside, Chloe felt a momentary rush of nerves. But as soon as she introduced Jordan to her parents and younger sister, Saskia, and saw how easily he fit in, her worries vanished. The house was filled with the smell of pine and the sounds of Christmas music playing softly in the background. They sat in the lounge, talking and laughing as if they had known each other for years. Jordan watched Chloe interact with her family, the same warmth and kindness he had come to know reflected in every moment. He felt an unexpected sense of belonging, like he was exactly where he was meant to be.

After a while, Jordan knew it was time to leave, though he wished the night could stretch on forever. As they stood by the door, Chloe’s family bidding him farewell, he turned to her, a bit nervous but hopeful. “I had a really great time tonight,” he said, his voice low. “Me too,” Chloe replied, her eyes shining as she leaned in closer. In that moment, Jordan kissed her, a sweet, lingering kiss that felt like the culmination of everything they had shared and everything that was yet to come. Chloe’s heart raced, a mix of exhilaration and contentment, knowing this was the start of something beautiful. When they finally pulled apart, they saw the same happiness reflected in each other’s eyes. As Jordan walked back to his car, the cold air biting at his cheeks, he couldn’t stop smiling. His heart was light, and his mind was spinning with the possibilities of what might come next. He had met Chloe at the secret cinema, but it felt like so much more than that—as if he had stumbled upon something truly wonderful. Driving away, Jordan felt on top of the world, knowing that this Christmas Eve had brought him something special—something that might just be the beginning of the rest of his life. And as Chloe watched him drive off, she felt a sense of excitement and peace wash over her. She knew, deep down, that this night was one to remember, and she couldn’t wait to see where it would lead.

The Proposal

15th December 2023. Chloe's 32nd birthday and less than a year after our first date, I got down on one knee and asked the girl of my dreams to marry me.

I'd booked a hotel in the middle of London, accompanied by a meal at The Ivy and a Candlelit Christmas Concert. After the concert, I left Chlo with her sister Saskia who was tasked with distracting her whilst me and Ro (Saskia's boyfriend) dipped out to go and set up. My sister Mercedes met us outside armed with 100 candles and a Bluetooth speaker and we speed walked to a nearby park to set them up.

The scene was set. I stood there shaking with nervous excitement and as soon as I saw her walking down, I pressed play on one of our favourite songs and the rest as they say, is history.

Watch the video to see what happened...