Bella Kalolo-Suraj had been single for six years when she decided to join a dating app to take a peek at what potential love interests might be out there.
She hated it. Turns out, the online talent liked to send her, well, a barrage of photos of what they considered their best anatomical feature.
But before she deleted the app, she noted the Instagram handle of one man who caught her attention for looking "wholesome and a little goofy". He was wearing a shark t-shirt that read "Jawsome" while comically posing on tree trunks in an open forest.
At 1.30am, Bella summoned the courage and slid into his DMs. That was in October 2020. Just four months later, they were married.
Today as they share their whirlwind love story with the Weekly over lunch, talented singer and actor Bella who plays fiery nurse Selina To'a on Shortland Street and her personal trainer husband Suraj Kumar, were obviously meant to be.
In a chat filled with jokes and laughter (Bella pretends to stab Suraj's knee with a fork if he doesn't say nice things about her), the talk turns more serious when revealing his family couldn't reconcile their romance with cultural expectations.
Born in India but raised in Qatar, Suraj, a former professional swimmer, was destined for an arranged marriage. He instead chose to follow his heart.
"I respect that my parents had an arranged marriage, as did my elder brother," tells Suraj, who moved to New Zealand in 2013. "However, I told them when I was in high school that I didn't believe or was comfortable with it.
"No one in my family has ever married outside of our culture, so initially there was no support from them because Bella is not of the same religion.
"So I got engaged and married all by myself. That was really hard. I had to go through a lot of difficult moments. But now, after three years, they know she's a good person and that we're really happy."
この記事は New Zealand Woman's Weekly の June 17, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は New Zealand Woman's Weekly の June 17, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
The perfect GETAWAY
From lengthy airport clinches to party ghosting, Michéle examines goodbyes
Message in a BOTTLE
Kevin makes a discovery in his shed that piques his detective skills
Empowered & thriving! PERFECT AT ANY AGE
Weekly editor Marilynn bravely shares her bold new approach to living her best life at 50 and beyond
Nature goals FIND YOUR GREEN SPACE
From stressed to refreshed! Lifestyle medicine practitioner Dr Jenny Brockis shares the simple steps you should adopt to give your wellbeing a boost
Nature & the city KELLY & MARLEY'S WILD PROJECT
The podcaster’s eyes have been opened to a new way of life
TikTok star Paris 'I'M BRINGING OUR KAI TO THE WORLD
After a tough start to motherhood, the foodie tells how she reclaimed her life
Love and the city! WENDYL'S CHANGE OF HEART
After a decade in the country, she’s given up the good life to return home
New TV star Andy 'I THOUGHT BEIN AN ALL BLACK WAS TOUGH!' Кро
It was a big shift channelling his talent into the hit show Moving Houses, but the sporting legend is a natural
Babies and beyond! INES HEALS BRAD'S HEART
The actor is embracing life with his zero-drama’ partner
Spreading the joy SIR ASHLEY'S KINDNESS CLUB
The Kiwi health legend is taking a jab at teaching kids important life skills