After matching with now-boyfriend Sándor on Hinge, Hannah Ross says the attraction was instantaneous, with the intensity of their 'deep connection' ultimately leading to them moving in together just 30 days later. The couple had their very first date back in February 2020, just after Valentine's Day, and shortly afterward, the UK entered lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.
According to Hannah, 28, lockdown actually proved to be the 'catalyst' for them moving in together, much to the amazement of some of their friends. Sándor, 30, was the one who invited Hannah to move into his flat, a decision which felt perfectly 'natural' to them both.
Although it took some time to get used to each other's 'quirks', the loved-up pair haven't looked back, and now spend their days travelling the world together. They didn't have too many concerns themselves about taking the leap, however, some pals did take a bit of convincing.
Speaking with the Mirror, Hannah, from Glasgow, said: "One of my best friends was a bit concerned and gave Sándor a really long grilling when they first met.
"She was asking him 20 questions and giving him a bit of an interrogation, just to make sure that he was okay.
"They get on very well together, but it did take them a while to get on because she wasn't sure. In her opinion, it was because we moved in too quickly!"
For tarot reader Hannah however, it already felt as though they'd known each other 'for such a long time' by move-in day that it just didn't feel as though she was 'living with a stranger'.
The first two months proved to be a bit of a 'honeymoon phase', with the new couple happy 'to spend every moment of every day together' at a time when all socialising had gone out of the window.
Hannah, who runs the tarot business Goddess Tarot Society, added: "It fast-tracked everything in the relationship so it took a while to get to know each other's quirks. There were a few disagreements, maybe a couple of months in.
"The honeymoon phase was still there, but just spending so much time with one another, it was created a few little arguments.
"I think it was great because it gave us the opportunity to know how to make up with one another as well because there's always going to be some kind of conflict."
Having emerged from lockdown together as a full-fledged long-term couple, she's found plenty of good qualities to admire in professional chef Sándor so far, from his generosity and open-mindedness to his willingness to change things up and head off on an adventure.
Although she doesn't usually take such huge jumps in relationships, Hannah does like going for what she wants in life, even if that means a few risks along the way, and believes 'you might as well just do what you please and not live by everyone else's rules'.
Once lockdown restrictions lifted, she and Sándor decided to head off and travel the world together, and are currently employed by a luxury travel company in the French alps.
They've previously worked a ski season in Slovakia together as well as a summer at a Lake District pub, and have also ticked off Cuba, Costa Rica, Mexico, Spain, and Budapest, where Sándor grew up.
Offering advice to anyone else looking to make similar leaps of faith for love, Hannah said: "I would advise clear communication very early on. Just to be completely honest about what works for you and what doesn't work for you?
"Because then when you hit little bumps in the road, it's not as big of a surprise that you are communicating what it is that you like and dislike, and it's not against your partner. So I'd say, clear communication and if you're going to take the risks, and have that open, non-judgemental space to chat."
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