It turns out our story started long before either of us realised it.

Back in 2009, we first crossed paths at RJL Dance School, two kids performing on the same stage without knowing we’d one day become everything to each other. From there, life kept nudging us together, through Hazel Grove High School and on to Hazel Grove Sixth Form, where friendship quietly grew in the background.

Then came that party. A little too much to drink, a moment of bravery (or questionable decision-making), and our first kiss. The timing wasn’t quite right yet, but the spark had definitely been lit.

Fast forward to the 4th of March 2017, when we finally got it together and made things official. And we’ve been side by side ever since.

University tested us early, with Claire in Liverpool and Jackson in Bangor, learning how to make distance feel smaller than it was. Then came Covid-19, which took that challenge to a whole new level. Months apart, no hugs, no normality. But we got creative. Online dates became our routine, and when we could, socially distanced ones too, including a memorable screening of Hercules projected onto a garden fence under the night sky.

When the rules eased, we made up for lost time by living in two-week stretches at each other’s homes. One visit in particular didn’t go quite to plan. Claire’s first stay with Jackson’s family ended with a run-in with some barbed wire, three stitches, and a slightly numb index finger and thumb that still haven’t fully forgiven her; A dramatic reunion, to say the least.

Christmas 2020; Jackson promised to stay three weeks with Claire’s family- he finally moved out 3 years later!

Not long after, we both crossed the finish line of our degrees in 2021. (Jackson powered through his dissertation with an all-nighter that will go down in history!) We started working as LSAs in different schools, with Jackson quickly finding his stride, while Claire went on to complete her teacher training and is now happily settled as a Physics teacher.

In August 2023, we took a leap and bought our first home together after just one viewing. Since then, we’ve been slowly but surely making it our own, one less white wall at a time.

And then, in August 2025, our little family grew again. We met Rodney, our miniature dachshund, and instantly knew he was coming home with us. He’s full of personality, keeps us on our toes, and now wees mostly outside… unless he decides he’d quite like some attention.

From dance school 18 years ago to this new chapter of life, it’s been a journey full of laughter, challenges, growth, and a lot of love. And we truly can’t wait to celebrate all that with you.