I'm Andy: a mid-30s IT professional. My love life wasn't great - mostly as I was working away a lot, so I decided to apply for The Love Show where experts match couples and valiantly hope that they find love in ten episodes.

I explained to the panel that simply, too much work meant I wasn't at home enough to sustain relationships, but that had changed recently as I had taken a new job that explicitly had minimal travel. I'm not a very picky person on whom I date with several exceptions. Firstly, after having chronic childhood asthma and still having some lingering remnants, I completely avoid smokers. Secondly, I've had enough medical needles over the years to never want an unnecessary needle in my skin - aka Tatts, so really, I'd like a partner with natural skin! While I haven't got kids, I'm open to the idea with the right person, but there has never been family pressure to settle down and produce. "Work hard enough to enjoy life" is my family's ethos.

My expectations were realistic. While I hoped to find the lady that I would spend the rest of my life with, worst-case, I wanted someone that I could enjoy their time with until such time as we mutually decided that the egg timer had run out of sand. My attitude was going to be neither doormat nor Pitbull. I understood there would hopefully be more good times than less good times as two strangers got to know each other’s good and less so points. Generally, I let the less sos slide and focus on the more sos.

After the usual rigmarole, I was selected to be one of the lucky ones who would meet their selected match at the altar. I had just changed jobs and had a lot on my plate, so I didn't think too much about the upcoming experience, except that as usual, I would give it my best, straight shot.

What do I say for my vows? I thought. Honestly, I thought that a lot of the vows I'd seen on these shows were either waffly or pure BS. My job involves writing clear, concise, and legible plans and documents, so my vows would document me in a friendly, but concise manner. I had a plan, but I decided that the actual words would come from my heart at the altar.

I have an excellent formal suit that I wear when appropriate. It makes me look like neither 007 nor Hagrid though! I decided that I would wear this to the wedding, with the usual formal attire. I've got a crop cut which hasn't ever changed. Apart from its regular sheep shear as I call it, I did nothing to that either.

Coming to the altar, I was at peace. I've done a lot of triathlons and marathons, and the nervy effects are similar: just no enormous queue for the Portaloos. The solution is identical too: look forward to the event and relax.

The moment had arrived, I realised as a tallish, slender lady walked up the aisle in a fitted white dress with a short train walked towards me. From my observations, she was wearing neutral makeup and minimal jewelry. My impression was that while she was in a wedding dress, it reflected her core style. Inwardly I smiled as some brides like to show off [their skin].

She came to the altar, and I looked into her eyes, put out my hand, and said softly with a gentle smile, "Hi, I'm Andy."

She took my hand gently, looked into my eyes, and reciprocated the smile saying, "Hi Andy, I'm Sarah. Are you nervous?"

Softly, I replied, "They are serving me, not me serving them. Are you?"

She said, "I am."

I replied, "Can I help to relax you?" She nodded gently, so I continued with a softer tone. I placed my left hand on my bottom side rib, "Please put your hand on my hand." She did. I placed my right hand on my collarbone, and she put hers on mine.

I said, "Feel me breathe in and you try that, then you'll feel me breathe out. If you're comfortable?" She nodded and I breathed up from my left hand to my right hand, then back down. I saw her take my lead, so I repeated twice more, which she followed.

"Now please say, 'An apple and an orange are a basic desert,'" and smiled. She smiled back and repeated it back and gently ranked her fingertips over my right hand.

We heard an "eh" from her family and she smiled back at them, shrugging and conveying it's BS but relaxing BS to her family.

The officiant started the ceremony and then prompted me for my vows.

I took out the cards that I had been given by the crew to write them on. Actually, I'd used them for general brainstorming and had humoured the crew by writing on the set. I had a spare, blank set in my pocket.

I bowed formally to Sarah and presented the blanks to her which elicited a quizzical look on her face.

"These are the blank pages that we start to write our story on. I hope it will be a long and colourful story.

I am your co-author in this story. I promise to be with you, holding your hand when needed, kicking your ankle when needed, smiling, or not-so-smiling! I do this out of honesty, respect, and trust for you, our relationship, and myself. I am not perfect. When I burn the dinner I hope you realise that I may have got distracted," and flickered my eyelids at her, causing hers to arch, "But I will learn from the burn next time and, like our story, another chapter will start to be written." I nodded in conclusion.

She smiled, took my hand, and rubbed her thumb over my top. I saw her do the up-and-down breathing that I had just taught her.

Smiling at me, she said in a low voice that only I could hear, "I had some vows written and I'll tell you them later, " then raised her voice a gentle notch so that everyone could hear, "Co-Author, I promise to cause the dinner to be burned, " a laugh from the gathered, "to write in colour, pencil or pen. From the heart, wrist, and head. Honestly and respectfully. May we write it together."

I bent down to kiss her hand, lingering on her eyes first, but breaking away before my lips touched the hand, then smiled.

We heard "Ummmm" from the gathered. We had both winged it, I realised.

I took the ring out of my pocket, and opened it, presenting it to her as she slid out her ring finger. I said, "May this be the first of many times I put this or another ring onto this finger," and slid it gently on.

She took out her ring box and opened it, then placed it on my finger as the officiant said, "Andy and Sarah are joined. They may now kiss."

Looking at her, I cocked my head in questioning this. She pursed her lips in thought, then ding-tapped her finger on my hand. I got the message, so I peck-kissed her which she briefly held, then we turned around to the room and walked down the aisle.

As we exited, still with the cameras in our faces, I took out the ring box and whispered into her ear "Itches", took off the ring and placed it in the box, placed her hand over mine as I placed it in my breast pocket saying, "It's on my heart now," and continued, "I like your style: your dress suits you. Should have said sooner."

She briefly rubbed her head on my shoulder, then playfully and gently pinched the side of my jacket and trousers, "Fitted suit, yours?" I understood that she was being guardedly playful and affectionate, but serious at the same time in checking out my suit. I returned the head rub and she continued, "Mum says that a guy in a fitted suit is a good fit, but a tight-fit suit means he'll hit the mirror more than a girl!"

I laughed and rubbed her hand.

We walked gently down to the meadow where the photographer was waiting. I whispered into her ear, "I do want to kiss you, but maybe later?" While I was definitely attracted to her, I was nowhere near ready for a pash and wanted our first proper kiss to be right and one we’d remember for the right reasons.

She said, "Thanks, why don't we get some fun shots to break the ice?"

I replied, "Maybe we do the wrapped around to please them, then you lead?"

The photographer called us in and we stood in front of her as Sarah scooched back into my chest, placed her hands on mine, and looked up into my spectacled eyes, I repeated the down-up-down breathing and felt her sync into my rhythm and we joined rhythm. We stood there reciprocating the relaxation breathing as the shots were taken.

"Now let's have some shots of you kissing," the photographer said. Sarah's fingertips play-raked my hands as her signal that she'd lead.

I played along and we faced each other, then she put her arms around me which I reciprocated. Her head moved in close to mine and mine came close to hers.

"Nice shots. Now the kiss," we heard.

Sarah made a growl at me and I growled back.

"What?" called out the shooter and someone from the crew.

"Humour us, " I called out and resumed my growl. Click.

I playfully arched my back and looked down at the floor. She arched her back and looked down saying, "Shoot."

Click, and I tickled her side.

We did a couple more lead-and-follows calling the shot to the increasingly irked shooter and crew.

Softly I said, "Humour them, then we can eat?"

She replied, "Co-author, I like the story so far."

We held hands and leaned in, pursing our lips as we gently touched lips. The click caused us to straighten as we smiled at the shooter for a final shot.

Walking back, I said, "There are two ways to get to know someone, deeply and slowly or shallow and fast." I got a single finger slide over my hand in response. My desired response

She said, "The breathing technique works, " and smiled, "Is that how it's properly done?"

I replied, "Hands. Not exactly but it was the appropriate way." She snuggled into me as we walked.

We walked into the dinner venue to cheer and stood at the head table holding hands.

I looked into her eyes saying, "I stand here a grateful man. Grateful for the lady who fills my vision, eager to get to know her well, honestly, and respectfully. I thank your family and the attending guests. My ring is on my heart along with Sarah where both belong."

She replied, "I don't have a bad view either, my ring is on my finger like your fingers are," and flickered her eyelids at me, shrugged her shoulders, and looked me in the eyes smiling a gentle smile which I reciprocated.

During dinner, we asked the normal icebreakers: career, location, travel, and kids (none on both sides). I asked if she was allergic to anything and replied, "Nothing: thanks for asking," and placed her head briefly on my shoulder.

I replied, "Peanuts and shellfish: low grade."

She replied, "Not mad on them much."

We mingled with the room and I met her sister and parents. They were polite and her mum said, "You threw her with the vows, different and thoughtful,” and smiled approvingly.

Phew, I thought.

Soon it was time to head off to the car for our first night together.

Upon entering the car, we belted up and snuggled into each other, relaxing wordlessly.

We had the camera crew follow us into the room. Before us was the bed with roses, a bottle of champagne on the side, and some chocolates. We stood there in reflection and I asked, "Have them now or get changed into something comfy?"

She smiled and replied, "Comfy. Maybe sample the chocolate but I don't want the hit this late. Can I inspect your shirt?" We walked in and closed the door.

I nodded and she undid my jacket's three buttons, then playfully pinched my shirt on the side, reached up, and peck-kissed me again. "Fitted."

I returned her peck kiss and asked, "Need help?" She pecked back, so I reached behind, found her zip, and undid it, playfully sliding a finger down her spine, causing a gentle shudder. "I'll change in the bathroom, I need less space?" I offered and she rubbed her head on my shoulder again.

This seems to be our affirmation, I realised.

I dug out blue jeans and a blue polo shirt from my luggage and blue retired runners, then took it into the bathroom while she changed.

Leaving the bathroom, saw her in black jeans and a black long-sleeved Icebreaker zip top that traced her figure gently and dark trainers. I flicked my eyebrows at her which elicited a smile. "Eat them here or on the deck?" I asked.

She picked them up and nodded towards the door motioning her free hand for mine to join it. We were followed out by the crew again, but implicitly we had decided to let them do their thing as we did ours. While we were playing by the rules, we had implicitly tweaked them from Union to League. The other players will have to adapt

On the deck, we found a wall overlooking the garden where she put the chocolates. It was a clear night, and the stars were out. She slid her back onto my chest again and rested her head on my collar. I placed on hand gently on her stomach. She put her hands on mine, and I reached around, took a chocolate, and placed it in her mouth. Her head turned and she placed it on my lips, touching hers on mine. We bit down on it and kissed while eating, then our lips parted but heads not. My free hand went over hers.

Silently, we stood there, feeling our breathing slow as we soaked in the scene. I gently slid down the wall, so we were sitting on the deck and we entered a deeper relaxation.

I felt the sun gently hitting my eyes and realised we were still entwined against the wall, but someone had gently placed a large blanket over us seemingly after we had fallen asleep.

I gently rubbed my chin on her shoulder, slowly waking her, but realising we still had company!

She turned her head into me and gave me a gentle kiss, which I returned.

"Stay here or breakfast?" I asked. She drew two fingers across my hand, then a single one in reply.

I looked up at the crew, saying, "Can we get breakfast out here?" and someone left.

We shed the blanket and got up, slowly stretching, and then gently walked around.

"I didn't expect that to be our first night: falling asleep under the stars," she said, turning in to kiss me gently to which I responded likewise.

"I'm not complaining, I had a great view," I responded and rubbed my head on hers.

She rubbed her head in response as we saw that breakfast magically appeared ahead.

On the table was an envelope labelled ANDY AND SARAH. We arched our eyebrows at each other wondering what the payload would be. She nodded at me, so I opened it.

"Your honeymoon is Valuka Resort, Tonga," it said, and I presented it to her, smiling.

She smiled and said, "Never been to Tonga, you?"

I replied, "Twice. First, after that big blow, and second after the wave. Ex-colleagues got a contract to do surveying. They hit me up to do support." I explained that this meant that while they were out flying surveys, I was stuck in a hangar on a pair of laptops doing the boring stuff, but we did have a day off at the end where we briefly explored but mostly snorkelled.

We dished the breakfast out, sometimes feeding each other, chatting but mostly soaking in the experience.

I smiled and said, "Can I be honest?" She nodded, returning the smile. "I know what questions we'll get asked by them," and nodded over at the crew, "but those questions I'm dodging. That's just my view."

She got up, came behind, rubbed her head on mine, then turned and gently kissed me saying, "Agreed," and kissed me again.

Still entwined, I carried on, "There are three parts to getting to know someone," and tapped her head, ribs mid-way down, and then wiggled my hand on her hip bone. "Each has to be complete before starting the next step."

She squeezed me hard and gave me a hard kiss in response at the hip one, acknowledging my sly gesture for sex.

I continued, "I hope that we can be curled up in our chairs at eighty wishing we'd got at it sooner, rather than six months’ time, wishing we'd waited a bit longer."

She replied, "Huh?" Locking onto the sex bit, then, "Ohhh," as she realised that old age was my point and kissed me softly and slowly, then said, "Eighty, hmmm," and held me tight.

I kissed her back.

We returned to the room with its still-made bed, and I nodded toward the bathroom you first.

First Sarah, then I showered but returned to our existing clothes, and then we packed.

We got to the plane and strapped in. I said, "If I fall asleep on you, it's not you. I have trouble being awake on planes." She arched her eyebrows in response, and we carried on chatting during takeoff and ascent.

We explored the in-flight entertainment together, sharing a headphone, and then she felt my hand go limp as I had nodded off. She playfully pinched me to wake me up saying, "You went down on me. Naughty," and kissed me gently to which I responded in kind.

But the IFE selection, while recent inspired neither to attention and we both gave in to slumber, apart from brief interruptions when the food was served and upon landing.

Trailed by the camera crew, we were escorted to our room. It had a huge King bed and overlooked the pool and the sea in the background. We walked out onto the terrace and Sarah resumed her usual position of snugging against my chest. I said, "Nice view."

She looked up at me with a smile and said, "Where?"

I kissed her gently open-mouthed and then replied, "As well, that pool looks inviting."

She kissed me and replied, "Lots of inviting," and snuggled her head into my neck, then released herself.

I nodded towards the bathroom, and she took the hint, opening up her suitcase and digging out a one-piece.

I got changed in the bedroom and dug out tri shorts and two sets of hats and goggles.

She came out and I saw her set, kissed me, and then said, "Sweet." I smiled at the fitting swimsuit that gave me the gist of its contents. She looked at me and smiled at my bare chest and the hint of my shorts' contents.

Taking our stuff, we walked to the poolside where we dropped our stuff and waded into the azure water where we stood midriff deep and wrapped our arms around each other and drank in the moment, then briefly kissed.

We got out and put our hats and goggles on, then swam together. Intermittently playfully touching each other mid-stroke.

We felt the light start to dull and decided that we had swum enough, so we exited, stopping for another hug.

We helped each other modestly towel off poolside, then returned to the room to change for dinner.

After dinner, she asked me what I'd normally do at home and I replied slightly sheepishly, "The paper: Crossword, Obits then news."

She kissed me and said excitedly, "Get it out, let's play together."

I hooked up the tablet to the WIFI and pulled the latest paper as she wrapped herself around my back and leaned into my neck. This would become our evening stimulation, much to the chagrin of the crew. Our bodies and brains entwined attacking the grid and critiquing the news, though taking turns to be on top.

Later we changed into PJS and actually made it to the bed where we embraced, kissed, and fell asleep still entwined like last night.

The week progressed quickly and happily. We had implicitly decided that we would move at our own speed and stay relaxed. We realised that I preferred a large breakfast and a light lunch whereas she was the opposite, but this simply gave us an opportunity to share food and feed each other, bonding us tighter, and feeling out each other’s likes and dislikes.

We made full use of the pool for both romance and its normal use, she went to a two-piece tri-style and me into budgies which gave us enhanced views. Our kisses became deeper, longer, and sensuous but not horny-passionate.

We were exploring the other's body deeply, but it was the bit above the neck that we were rampantly exploring. We would joke about 80 vs 6: we were definitely attracted to each other, but bonding comes in many forms and sex can make weak long-term bonds unless supported by a deeper intellectual bond. We were testing out brains before bodies. We joked that we were fucking each other rampantly intellectually but chaste bodily, whereas some of the couples might be doing the opposite.

While we did get into animated discussions about things, we had found our combined cadence so personal arguments never eventuated. We discovered that we had similar, but not identical tastes and habits.

The only big incident was on the second morning when we were heading out for a day sightseeing. I got my SLR case out and she looked into it and said sullenly, "We're fucked," and glared at me. This caught the attention of The Pests as we referred to the crew, but instinctively I knew that mischief was up.

She went to her bag and removed an SLR case and opened it, showing me the contents. "Very fucked," I replied sternly. She grabbed me, kissing me hard open-mouthed. I replied with a deep French as the confused Pests looked on.

"Canon guy with Nikon girl: totally incompatible bodies," I replied sourly, "Could be worse, one of us could be Sony-inclined."

She kissed me hard back, playfully Frenching deeply which I returned and pinched my bum as the crew realised they'd been had.

"Our bodies may be incompatible, but our ring mounts and drives certainly are," she said as I ran my hand down her back, gave a final French and my tongue played with hers.

If our discussions came remotely close to getting heated, we migrated into physical touch and aligned our breathing like we did on the first day and night. Probably to the disappointment of the crew who would ask the question and we would either glare at them or, as we did one morning, breathlessly say that, "We had got hot and passionate... on the subject of PG- vs T- SQL," which we both knew how to write.

The last night was the usual romantic, filmed dinner. As usual, we shifted the chairs to sit at right angles to each other which the crew hated as it made for bad filing, so we could touch. Mid-way through, one of The Pests dropped an envelope on the table. We glared knowingly at each other.

Sarah's backhand pushed my adjacent leg. I took the cue and pushed my chair away from the table and she stood up and dropped into my lap, snuggling into my chest and shoulder, taking the card and leaned over for a quick kiss which I returned, holding her around the midriff and relaxing in, feeling her relax into me.

First card: What were your first thoughts?

I said, "Your dress was simple and elegant. You seemed to have minimal or light makeup and jewelry. I thought you had decided not to go overboard / try too hard," and kissed her cheek.

She gently pinched down my ribs and the pocket of my trousers, and kissed me, "Tailoring. My ideal vision at the altar."

Next card: Do you regret anything about the day?

I replied gently and slightly sadly, "I should have complimented you at the altar."

She replied, "It was noted, but," and did the up-and-down, "was noted much more," and gave me a lingering kiss.

Card 3: Do you want to have sex?

I freed a hand and tapped her head, front chest just below her breast, and wiggled fingers on her belt line, then said sternly, "No."

We heard a surprise from the crew.

I continued softly, "I hope to make love to you when we are both ready. But physical and emotional intimacy takes many forms," and kissed her on the lips.

She replied, "Intimacy. When we are ready, we will be ready," and spun around on me so she could wrap her arms around me, meld her chest into mine, and gently, but deeply Frenched me which I returned and we soaked in the pleasure.

The next day, we got to the airport and were looking forward to the flight home and to join the rest of the couples.

Mid-flight, we were woken by the Pilot on the PA System: "We wish to inform passengers that there has been a magnitude 8 earthquake in South America. The impact of the damage is unknown according to the news."

In Seattle, FALCON UP [alert] texts will be pinging [at ex-colleagues' company], Not me this time, I thought, somewhat in sadness at not going to be dutiful, but relief that I wouldn't be leaving Sarah and I snuggled deeply into her.

We concurred that this was not good and resumed our slumber.

Landing back home, we deplaned and decided that the loos were in order before we grabbed the bags so we could then head to TLS' Hotel. We turned on our phones and headed to the loos.

Waiting for Sarah, I saw a text from my ex-colleagues' company. My heart sank as I called them immediately and I slumped my back against the wall.

She exited the loos and saw me slumped, then saw my phone to my ear. I nodded my head sideways gesturing her to me.

The call finished quickly, and she embraced me gently, feeling my slow breathing through my chest and into hers and eyeing me.

I passed the phone over and showed her the text:

ECO:0, F1_2 XXX, EQC: RQ. AZP>> GA. GX>>CLT. She looked stunned at the gibberish. I spoke very softly, "The earthquake," she nodded, "My ex-colleagues have been called out to do damage surveying. They've told me one of the ground support guys is in hospital, and two have COVID. I'm the only qualified Day 0 GS available," and pointed at ECO:0.

Stunned, she held me tight and said, "When?"

I pointed at F1_2 XXX: "Aircraft call sign abbreviations: XXX aka miss u: they've on their way," and kissed her gently, "I'm needed at the Private [GA] terminal. There's a plane GX (BizJet: medium-large, longish range): coming to take me to Charlotte, North Carolina."

"Why there, " she whispered and kissed me. I was impressed by her composure. More to love about her, I realised.

"Seventh largest US airport: good connections," I responded, kissing back softly but with intent.

"How long for?" she replied.

"The second team will head out in seven days. Should know then if a third week is up. If so, the first team is back on, and we fly the families out for the down week. You included." I advised, holding her tight and she snuggled tighter into me.

This wasn't how we expected things to eventuate as we certainly had a basic, but strong attraction.

She held my head in her hands and kissed me gently, then said, "A week isn't too bad considering what's happened over there."

Her compassion and acceptance impressed me deeply but made me sad that I'd put her in this position.

I replied, "Let's get our bags and we'll kiss a kiss to last us all week as I board?"

She released me saying, "Where will you go after Charlotte?"

I said, "Don't know: the final destination isn't known yet. They're sending the planes to an airport mid-way until our base is sorted. Hopefully, wherever they land, we won't be in tents under the wing to start with like happened before. Once it's confirmed where they're heading to and what the authorities want them to do, they'll try to do a basic survey on the inbound to the base."

She arched her eyes in surprise at how fast things moved.

We disengaged and walked to the carousel. I said to her, "It was unlikely that I'll have mobile coverage, but I can get you on our message software so we can be in contact?" She nodded and I texted the IT support team Add Sarah [number] to Family OMessage ASAP.

My OMessage pinged: NX4235. The aircraft Tail (Rego) that was inbound for me.

Our mood was darker than the black sky of our first night under the stars. Minutes later, our phones pinged as the link to install OMessage came through. She gave me the phone and I performed the install and setup of the SDK from memory.

I then entered the tail number into OMessage's tracker applet so she could see my flight progress.

After clearing passport and customs, we asked the attendant how to get to the Bizjet terminal and we were escorted by his colleague there, snuggling into each other, deep in thought and sadness at our pending disruption.

"How long ‘til it arrives?" she asked as we entered the terminal.

I saw the board and saw NX4235: 15 minutes.

I held her tight and kissed her deeply and gently, which she returned both and we stood there until we heard the whirring of the jet's engines outside as it taxied in. I presented my passport to the agent as the jet's door dropped. I held Sarah again for a final, tearful kiss. She playfully, but tearfully pushed me away saying, "Not enough kiss to sustain the whole week, you owe me."

I hard-kissed her again, saying, "Keep a ledger, I'll settle it," and headed through the door and up the stairs turning to blow a final kiss at my new amour as the crew pulled them up and the engines spooled up again and the jet moved off slowly.

I was seated and belted, looking out the window crying as we moved off.

Miss u, I messaged as the plane moved away from the terminal, heading to the runway. I was departing from the lady I had quickly attained a deep, broad love for, though I knew that I wasn't In love, quite yet.

As the wheels left the runway, I cried more as I had left the ground, we both inhabited. But a video call OMessage switched my focus to the now.