Our Story – Tom & Beatriz

(A tale of fish, FaceTime, and a fairy-tale proposal…)

They say love works in mysterious ways — and in our case, it started with a little swipe after a trip to Stonehenge. Beatriz had just visited the ancient stones and, perhaps moved by the mystical energy (or maybe just the surprisingly good WiFi), she opened a dating app… and bing! there was Tom.

We matched instantly.

From deepest, darkest Dorset, Tom began chatting with Beatriz up in beautiful York where she was studying for her Master’s. We spoke every day, our digital courtship powered by emojis, late-night laughs, and a growing sense that something special was happening. Eventually, we decided it was time to meet in real life — and what better neutral ground than London?

Our first date? The London Aquarium. Romantic? Maybe not for everyone. But for us, it was perfect. Surrounded by sharks, penguins and confused-looking clownfish, Tom finally mustered up the courage to kiss Beatriz — and neither of us has looked back since.

From there, things swam along swimmingly (pun intended). Beatriz bravely met the Murray clan in London — diving headfirst into a whirlwind of family fun, birthday parties at the RAC Club, and getting a crash course in how the Murrays celebrate. She even made it down to Milverton for Tom’s birthday (a rite of passage if there ever was one).

Then it was Tom’s turn to head north to York — getting to know Beatriz’s wonderful friends and embracing the charming mix of cobbled streets, ghost stories, and academic vibes. After Beatriz completed her Master’s, she returned home to Panama, where she resumed working for the Panama Canal (yes, she’s very impressive), and Tom flew out during October half term for a reunion full of tropical adventures — from Coiba Island to the Valle de Antón, and of course, taste-testing everything Panama City had to offer.

Despite the miles (5,146 to be exact), we spoke every day — whether it was FaceTiming in pyjamas, or watching The Gilmore Girls together in sync from two continents. In February 2024, Beatriz returned to the UK for her graduation, where Tom (very proudly) cheered her on in the snowy streets of York, celebrating with friends, fizz, and perhaps one too many margaritas.

Eventually, we decided to stop letting geography boss us around and took the leap to start our next adventure together in Panama. Tom arrived, cricket bag and Marmite in tow, ready to trade English drizzle for tropical sunshine, and we immediately set off on a grand tour of the country — meeting friends, family, and learning the difference between “just hot” and “Panama hot.”

And then, on December 5th, after a magical evening at the theatre watching The Nutcracker (complete with dramatic twirls, festive joy, and excellent interval wines), Tom and Beatriz took a quiet walk beneath the stars. With the air warm, sound of the waves lapping on the shore and the city lights twinkling in the distance, Tom got down on one knee… and Beatriz said yes.

We are so thrilled to be surrounded by the people we love, celebrating not just our wedding, but the story that brought us here — one filled with courage, laughter, friendship, family, and a whole lot of heart.

Thank you for being part of this next chapter.

With love,

Tom & Beatriz

Photos