Meet Carl — born in Germany into an Army family, he spent much of his childhood on the move before deciding to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the Army himself at just 16. He went on to serve in 7th Parachute Regiment RHA as a proud paratrooper, carving out an incredibly varied (and often wild) career that’s full of stories best shared over a drink. Never one to sit still, Carl spent his spare time chasing adrenaline — skydiving, skiing, motorbiking, and pretty much anything else that involved speed, heights, or a challenge. These days, his work commitments still take him all over the globe, but he does occasionally pop in at home to see the family, restock his kit, and remind the dog who he is.

In stark contrast to Carl’s action-packed path, Sam grew up in and around Crowthorne — where the couple now live. After studying art at college, she went on to earn a degree in design, living life to the full with a love for music, dancing, and a good night out. With an ever-growing thirst for travel, her adventurous spirit led her to the French Alps for a ski season, where she fell in love with mountain life (and après ski, of course). On returning to the UK, she kicked off her career in marketing — bringing her creativity, energy, and enthusiasm to her work — while still squeezing in as many adventures abroad as her work schedule (and bank balance) would allow.

After a fateful right swipe in 2018, Carl and Sam spent weeks trying to coordinate a first date around their hectic schedules — but from the moment they finally met, they just clicked. Life moved quickly in the best way: in 2019 they moved into their first home, in 2020 they brought home Pippa the Dalmatian, and in 2022 their little gang of boys grew once again with the arrival of their much-loved Bonnie. Despite Carl’s ever-demanding schedule, the pair still manage to squeeze in adventures whenever they can — steadily ticking off their travel bucket list one trip (and airport sprint) at a time. Then, on 5th May 2025, during a road trip across the American Southwest, Carl got down on one knee overlooking the breathtaking Horseshoe Bend in the Arizona desert — and Sam said yes.