Matt and Joby met online in the summer of 2019. Matt was riding the high of just quitting his job as a secondary school Maths Teacher, and Joby was visiting London from his NASA job in California to see friends and family.

Their first date was in a Camden bar on the hottest day of the year, where they got to know each other discussing science and science-fiction (because they’re both big ol’ nerds). One romantic stroll by the canal later and there were sparks flying – so much so that their third date involved Matt delaying the start of his new job to fly all the way to California for two weeks!

Shortly after, Joby had to fly back to the States for work, but they both felt something special and decided to try going long-distance. The distance felt incredibly long once the COVID-19 pandemic hit – cancelling their planned holiday together to meet halfway in New York and basically meaning they couldn’t see each other in person for a whole year. Nevertheless, Matt and Joby felt a special connection from their time together so far, an were able to support each other during this difficult time with late-night / early-morning phone calls and a plentitude of possum and racoon memes.

In 2022 Joby moved back to the UK to take up a job at the Natural History Museum, and he and Matt both moved in with Joby’s parents in Muswell Hill. Finally living in the same country, their shared love of theatre, knitting and nerdy games truly exploded.

During this time they managed to save up a deposit and buy a flat in Surrey Quays, moving in in 2023 along with Beetle the family cat. With their newfound proximity to other friends in South London they were able to indulge in even more nerdy nonsense, getting involved in two different Tabletop RPG campaigns (which are still running!).

Then in Spring 2024 the stars aligned – Matt and Joby finally took their previously-cancelled holiday to New York, inspired by one of Matt’s favourite drag queens performing on Broadway in Matt’s favourite musical (Little Shop of Horrors!). The holiday was truly one for the ages, where Joby delighted in introducing Matt to the museums, galleries and eateries of one of his favourite cities. It was on this holiday, in a secluded path in Central Park (surrounded by really cool birds!) that Matt proposed, and Joby said “yes”.