Back in 2016 when we both worked for Network Rail, we happened to sit at desks next to each other one Friday. This was a one off as Lumbe was a grad at the time, often hot desking as she got to grips with the organisation.
Nothing much to report on that day, some cordial chat but we went our separate ways. This was late in the year and nothing blossomed until early 2017! Lumbe had let slip to her mentor that she'd seen a handsome young man around the office. She'd informed the wrong person, the office "Gossip Girl".
In fact, Josh swears he heard the sound of rushing high heels along the office floor before being tapped on the shoulder and told "I know someone that fancies you".
At the time, no action was taken but we kept seeing each other around the office and Josh couldn't help notice that beautiful smile. At last, he plucked up the courage to send an email around Valentines Day after a number of interactions in person. Josh recalls he would have asked for her number in person but she kept conversation so short that he didn't get a chance.
After a short exchange, numbers swapped and they start to have regular conversations over whastapp . At the time, Lumbe had an exam coming up that she was very anxious and nervous about and essentially "pied" Josh off (for a week). The cheek of it.
"Well, you've blown that one" Josh remembers thinking to himself.
But lo and behold she messaged straight after the exam and the conversation has continued every day since. Lumbe was sceptical when Josh shared his mum was born in Zambia, where Lumbe is from would you believe?! Her and her girls thought this was the ploy of a "player", but nope, a genuine spark based on a shared heritage.
We had their first date in Turtle Bay on 4th March 2017, shared a lovely evening which ended with an awkward kiss that they laugh about to this day. From there, things flowed naturally, dates kept rolling, and even though the first year of the relationship was long distance, it just worked.
That's enough of our beginning, there are plenty more tales for us to share in the run up to our big day and of course, the wedding itself!
Meet our 2 fluffballs, Drax and Mylo. Yes, our little terrors that live rent free, don't contribute to household bills and have us (okay mum) spending money on toys that they never play with (unless its a rolled up ball of aluminium foil). They keep us on our toes, from jumping out of upstairs windows, scratching at the bedroom door at 3am, shredding the sofa, curtains and carpets in the house and throwing up in the car when it's time to visit the vet. They may be little minxes most days but dont fail to remind us, with snuggles and head bops, that they love us. We wouldn't change anything about them for the world and adore them will all our hearts ❤️