A woman who got engaged to her partner just two days after they met on holiday 11 years ago has revealed her tips for a successful relationship. Shari, 33, met her husband, Ryan Thorpe, 33, on a girls' trip to Gran Canaria, Spain, in July 2011 and fell head over heels in love.
Now the loved-up couple are celebrating 11 years together and have three sons together - Cayden, nine, Curtis, five, and Cilian, one. Shari has revealed her top tips for maintaining a happy healthy relationship.
Shari, a mum-of-three, from Odiham, Hampshire, said: “Lots of our friends and family thought it would just be a fling, but we proved them wrong. We had that spark, but we’ve had to work at it too.
“I moved down to live with Ryan after six months of dating and went more than 300 miles away from my family, but he always said he would drive me back no matter what time of night. We’ve got each other’s back.
“We communicate and talk and don’t hold back no matter what we’re feeling.”
Shari wasn’t expecting to meet Ryan, who works for demolition company, when she went on a girls' holiday, but the pair fell for each other instantly.
“I instantly thought he was good looking,” Shari said. Ryan shocked her by proposing on the second of night of knowing each other at a karaoke bar and Shari couldn’t say no.
“I just said ‘go on then’ not really realising he was serious,” she said. “Then he came out with a ring the next day.
“But I couldn’t not go for it, there was something about him.”
After Shari returned to Newcastle and Ryan to Odiham, Hampshire, the pair continued to date long-distance before Shari took the plunge to moved south. Despite their whirlwind relationship, the couple are proving their doubters wrong after celebrating their 11-year anniversary.
“We respect each other,” Shari said. “Even when we have different opinions, we both take on board the other's feelings.
“It’s important to say sorry. Even if it’s something really simple - just apologise and move on.
"No relationship is perfect, and we’ve had our ups and downs, but we can acknowledge when we need to apologise.”
The couple - who got married in August 2015 and welcomed three boys together - still try to make sure they have fun.
“We don’t take life too seriously and love to be silly,” she said.
“We love to go on adventures and it’s great to plan them to have something to look forward to. We’re always doing something, and it doesn’t always have to cost the earth.
“Now we have kids it’s important to still make time for us. Life is busy with the kids but on the odd occasion when we can get childcare, we will do something together even if it’s just going for a walk and chat.”
Shari also says how important it is to support and appreciate each other. “Ryan and I both have our own dreams and ambitions, and we encourage each other to follow them," she said.
“I appreciate how Ryan works hard at his job to give me and the kids a great life. Ryan appreciates the fact I’m at home most of the time keeping the house going and bringing up the kids and working part-time when I can.
“We both have different roles but equally important. I never expected to find my husband when I went on the girls' trip and I think if you’re looking for someone you won’t find them.
“They always turn up when you least expect it.”
Ryan said: "I think knowing people thought it would just be a fling, it pushed us to prove them wrong and make it work. It's crazy now looking back on memories and how far we have come."
Shari's advice for a successful relationship
- Communicate and don’t hold anything back no matter how we’re feeling.
- Respect each other
- Say sorry
- Support each other
- Be silly. We don’t take life too serious.
- Always have each other’s back.
- Make time for each other
- Plan adventures to have something to look forward to.
- Appreciate the other person.
- Work as a team
