Following her divorce, Carol Christina Thompson was determined to focus on herself and get fit. And it was on a fitness app forum where she would find love again.
The 37-year-old, from Detroit, Michigan, US, had downloaded the MyFitnessPal to track her progress while training for a marathon. Ash Smith, 41, from Brighton, had joined in a chat, and the pair immediately hit it off.
And as reported by the Mirror, they talked online for hours on end before Carol, who goes by the name CC, travelled almost 4,000 miles for their first date in London. Four years later, they are now married, have a baby and Ash has moved to Carol's hometown in the states.
"We fell in love very fast and were completely besotted with each other before we ever met," CC said. "When we finally met, in person, it was the most natural thing in the world.
"There was no nervousness or awkwardness. It was like we were always meant to be."
It was while she was training in March 2018 that she met Ash in the online community. She'd posted an ice-breaker question asking people to share a random fact about themselves.
There were stories of broken bones and silly talents, but it was Ash's response which caught her eye. "It was from a guy named Ash in London, who confessed he had a fear of melted chocolate," she said.
CC had made a post-divorce self-promise to travel more and had booked a trip to London in the August, and after they became online friends, Ash offered to show her the sights. "We spent the weekend doing touristy things, and when I left, I already knew we needed to go on another trip," said CC.
They became an item in the November and went travelling in Mexico, Iceland and Italy. Ash had his left leg amputated as a nine-year-old in a horrific accident.
But CC said it doesn't hold him back in any way. "We're always doing physical things when we're together, but he doesn't like any special treatment," she said.
"When we were in Italy, we were always going on hikes, constantly moving, and the fact that he does what everyone else does without even blinking... it's awesome."
It was in Italy in 2019 when Ash pulled out a ring on a hike and proposed to CC. Deciding they couldn't do long-distance any longer, he then joined CC in Detroit earlier this year in January, before they tied the knot in March.
The pair, who both share a daughter from their previous marriages, then welcomed their baby boy Harrison two months after. Mum-of-two CC admits she never expected to fall in love with someone the way she did.
"Neither of us ever used dating apps and MFP was such a fun, non-threatening place to meet people and form a community," she said. "I made friends from all over the world and have stayed connected with many of them over the years.
"Having shared goals and a passion for healthy living, we celebrate our successes, our struggles, ask questions, share opinions and cheer one another on. So to find the love of my life on this platform was wonderfully unexpected."
