Home | Michael And Nicolle

Michael's version:

We first met in the labs at Dundee University where we were both studying! Nicolle amazed me with her really special way with people, her sense of fairness and kindness, and sense of humour. I felt so lucky when I found out we both got into the same master's program. Then the time came to make a tough decision. I remember when I asked Nicolle tearfully whether she would move with me to Surrey, where I was about to start my doctorate in 2018.

I was so relieved she said yes! We got our first little flat and started to build our life together. Nicolle was a superstar working long hard shifts at the hospital, and was so supportive of me, something I truly appreciate.

Eventually the time came for Nicolle's dream job, a very competitive training program. But it was in Birmingham. We knew that she should go for it, and that we could handle long distance, not to say it was easy.

With lockdowns coming and going, there were months that we couldn't make the drive or train journey to see each other at all! We instead would videocall each other and press "play" on Netflix at the same time for a movie night, or just call for hours to talk.

Eventually, lockdowns eased, and my PhD was coming to an end in 2022. Everybody who talked to me at that time heard my plan "Go to Birmingham, be with Nicolle". I knew I never wanted us to be long distance again. Now we live together in Birmingham, and our relationship is all the stronger for the hard times our commitment saw us through.

After working for a couple years, I knew we were in a good place to start the next chapter of our lives in the way that is right for us. I "surprised" Nicolle (in reality I can't pull the wool over her eyes) with a holiday to Italy. I proposed there, on the Vomero hill overlooking the bay of Naples in September 2024.

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Michael's version:

We first met in the labs at Dundee University where we were both studying! Nicolle amazed me with her really special way with people, her sense of fairness and kindness, and sense of humour. I felt so lucky when I found out we both got into the same master's program. Then the time came to make a tough decision. I remember when I asked Nicolle tearfully whether she would move with me to Surrey, where I was about to start my doctorate in 2018.

I was so relieved she said yes! We got our first little flat and started to build our life together. Nicolle was a superstar working long hard shifts at the hospital, and was so supportive of me, something I truly appreciate.

Eventually the time came for Nicolle's dream job, a very competitive training program. But it was in Birmingham. We knew that she should go for it, and that we could handle long distance, not to say it was easy.

With lockdowns coming and going, there were months that we couldn't make the drive or train journey to see each other at all! We instead would videocall each other and press "play" on Netflix at the same time for a movie night, or just call for hours to talk.

Eventually, lockdowns eased, and my PhD was coming to an end in 2022. Everybody who talked to me at that time heard my plan "Go to Birmingham, be with Nicolle". I knew I never wanted us to be long distance again. Now we live together in Birmingham, and our relationship is all the stronger for the hard times our commitment saw us through.

After working for a couple years, I knew we were in a good place to start the next chapter of our lives in the way that is right for us. I "surprised" Nicolle (in reality I can't pull the wool over her eyes) with a holiday to Italy. I proposed there, on the Vomero hill overlooking the bay of Naples in September 2024.

Nicolle's version:

Considering we did the same course, it baffles me that Michael and I never met until our third year of uni. I've racked my brain trying to think if our paths overlapped before we officially met in a biochemistry lab.

I had no idea what was going on and Michael, at the bench behind me, seemed to be the only person who knew what to do. He was more than happy to help (even after answering my many questions!). We started dating a while later.

I remember on our second date, going for sushi at a place just off campus, I was feeling really nervous and saw Michael at the bottom of the street. Giddy nerves got the best of me and I jumped into a bush and waited for him to move along. How Bridget Jones...

We have spent alot of our relationship following each other for our careers! First to Surrey for Michael's PhD, then I moved to Birmingham for my STP which meant us doing long distance for about a year. Michael was and has always been incredibly supportive of me getting my dream job, and had so much belief and faith in me that I - we - could do this.

We spent weekends travelling between Guildford and Birmingham once COVID restrictions were lifted. Saying goodbye every week was difficult, I'd always feel teary on the train or watching Michael drive away back to Guildford.

But we made it work, and eventually got to live in the same place again! We have moved so much that home isn't a place anymore, it's wherever we are together. When Michael bought a man bag for going to Italy, I was quietly optimistic ... Sorry, that is a bare faced lie... I knew what was coming, I just didn't know when! It was a very easy 'YES'!

Nicolle & Michael's Wedding

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Nicolle and Michael's Wedding