I've always said that Sam and I were destined to be an item. Fate threw us together in April 2017 when he came to Peterborough City Hospital where I worked as a hand and wrist specialist practitioner. He'd broken his wrist while working as a satellite engineer.
As he followed me into a room for a steroid injection, I was struck by how tall he was. His 6ft 4in frame towered over me I'm only 5ft 1in! He was so handsome, too. At 31, I was a single mum to Theo, then seven, and not interested in dating again following the breakdown of my first marriage. But after Sam was discharged from the clinic in May 2018, he messaged me on LinkedIn to ask me out. His confidence and good looks pulled me in and I agreed.
We hired bikes and as we cycled and chatted, we discovered we had lots in common, from our deep love for Africa and volunteering work, to a childish obsession with Marvel films. Our sense of humour matched, too, and I was struck by how cheeky he was.
Three months after our first date, I introduced him to Theo and they adored each other. Sam continued to amaze me, embracing my Filipino heritage, learning to cook my favourite dishes and studying the Tagalog language. He was awful at it and joked it was because I was a bad teacher.
He proposed in February 2019 and we couldn't wait to get married - we tied the knot two months later in Santorini.
Just me, Sam and Theo, during the most spontaneous, blissful week of our lives.
When I presented Sam with a positive pregnancy test on our first wedding anniversary, he couldn't stop shouting for joy. We were so excited.
Denne historien er fra July 01, 2024-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.
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Denne historien er fra July 01, 2024-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Lizzie's LONG LIST
No one in her family realised just how much she did at Christmas-but things would be different this year
SEX-MAS Is Our favourite season!
Slipping into a party dress and heels and heading out for festive drinks with your other half is always a treat, isn't it?
Life is different - BUT STILL *MAGICAL
After losing two limbs, Sarah de Lagarde cherishes every moment
We have chocolates for BREAKFAS
TV cooking stars John Torode and Lisa Faulkner reveal their blended family Christmas plans and why you should ask guests to bring a plate of food
It's time to CELEBRATE
After a tough few months, Ruth Langsford is ready to embrace her favourite time of year
T'LL BE DRUNK by 11.30am'
Chef and TV personality Gino D'Acampo on how to make Christmas run smoothly, his favourite tipple and why not to worry if it all goes wrong!
'Even the PETS HAVE STOCKINGS'
The star on all things Christmas and why she won't be making a New Year's resolution
LONELY HARRY wants to come home
After six years away, the prince is keen to spend Christmas in the UK, writes royal biographer Emily Andrews
Being blind won't stop me LIVING MY DREAM
When Sassy Wyatt lost her sight, she vowed to have a whole world of adventures
I gave birth to my own GRANDDAUGHTER
Kristi Schmidt was desperate to give her daughter the baby she longed for