A couple who met online during the pandemic have tied the knot via Zoom - even though the pair have never met in real life.
Ayse, 26, and Darrin, 24, first met after Ayse joined a Facebook group aimed at pairing up pen pals from around the world.
Ayse, who is from Lancaster, chatted to Kenda, 56, on the group. Kenda, from Michigan in the US, mentioned her son Darrin was a similar age to Ayse and that he wanted to chat to someone across the pond.
“It’s funny that I met my mother-in-law before I met my husband,” Ayse said. “We got on so well, so when she suggested speaking to her son, I thought it was a great idea – although I was a bit nervous at first because I’d seen photos of him and he looked lovely.”
When she was first put in touch with Darrin, the pair spoke frequently as friends - but it wasn't long before their relationship developed into something more.
“I told him about my hobbies, how old I was, where I was from, that sort of thing,” Ayse said.
“I knew he was from the US so didn’t expect anything from it but thought it would still be interesting to chat to someone from somewhere else.”
Within weeks, they were calling each other every single night - despite the five hour time difference, meaning Ayse was often falling asleep at 2am UK time.
For more of the news you care about straight to your inbox, sign up for one of our daily newsletters here
“It was during the pandemic so I wasn’t working as I’d been furloughed and just altered my sleep pattern, so I was sleeping at the same time Darrin was,” she said.
“We’d be on video call and just be chatting when we fall asleep – then usually when I wake up, he’s still there sleeping."
After they made their relationship official in November 2020, Ayse started planning her trip to the US to meet her beau in the flesh for the first time.
But the meet-up in July was put on hold by strict travel restrictions to the States. When she tried to fly to Michigan indirectly via Mexico, her plans were scuppered when she arrived in the US as she was turned away by immigration.
“I think they thought that if they let me into the US then I’d never leave because of Darrin,” Ayse said.
"It was so heart-breaking to be so close to him in the same city, but not be allowed through the border. I was put on the next flight home and cried the whole way back."
The pair managed as best as they could by having weekly 'date nights' on video calls - ordering each other takeaway food and treats to their door.
On 21 May 2021, Darrin popped the question - and Ayse said yes.
“When he answered the call he seemed so nervous which was unlike him – but I soon understood why when he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him,” she recalled.
The couple knew it would be a while before they could meet in person, so they decided not to waste any time and tie the knot as soon as they could - over Zoom.
On 19th August, the pair officially became husband and wife over a video call ceremony officiated in the US state of Utah.
Joining them on the call were a few of their most cherished family and friends, who watched the pair say their vows.
The married couple, who still haven't met face to face, speak several times every day, hoping Ayse's visa application will soon be accepted so they can enjoy life together as husband and wife.
Ayse, a cleaner, from Lancaster, Lancs, said: “I never imagined this would happen to me in a million years.
“I don’t think anyone expected this when we started talking last year.
“But we’re married and it’s all completely legal and official – I still can’t believe it.
“It’s been really hard not being able to meet properly, but in the long run it will make us stronger because we’ve had to go through all of this to be together. We just really love each other.”
Looking back on their whirlwind relationship, Ayse is grateful both their families are supportive of their union.
“I didn’t tell my parents straight away when we first started talking, but they twigged there was something going on when I was on the phone all the time,” Ayse said.
“They had reservations about it to start with – but I suggested they chat to Darrin on Skype and they saw straight away how crazy we both are about each other."
She added Darrin had even spoken to her dad to ask for his permission before popping the question.
“In our heads, as long as our family and friends are supportive, that’s all we need,” she said.
She added the pair will celebrate together when they can, but for now, they're happy with their "perfect" ceremony.
“I still can’t believe it – I never expected any of this but you’ve got to take what life throws at you.
“I miss Darrin every day but I know we’ll be together one day and it’ll all be worth it.”
Last week, travel restrictions in the US were finally lifted - but Ayse will still have to wait a bit longer to see her beau while she waits for another visa to be approved.
Darrin said it seems like a long time ago that they first became pen pals - and now they're "battling against the world together."
"As we haven’t met in person yet we haven’t been able to have a physical relationship, which means that our marriage is based off of more than that," he said.
"This hasn’t affected our relationship like it could do others, as it’s not something we see as the most important aspect, and we value other things, such as communication more.
Are you in a relationship surviving against the odds? Send your love stories to jessica.taylor@reachplc.com
"It’s not everyday you find your best friend and the love of your life in one, so I wasn't going to let her get away simply because we live in different countries."
