A bored Tesco driver who determined to study a brand new language throughout lockdown final 12 months is ready to marry the "love of his life" after a whirlwind romance with a Mexican lady he met on-line.
Paul Gardner, 31, took a leap of religion in January and travelled to Mexico to satisfy Tania Alejandra, 36, as love blossomed between the pair, after she spent a number of months instructing him Spanish.
Paul, from Bathgate, West Lothian, requested Tania to return again to Scotland with him in February. And simply six months later, the blissful couple are planning a marriage for subsequent 12 months, after smitten Paul dropped down on one knee on Edinburgh's Royal Mile.
Paul, 31, informed the File: "The journey Tania and I've been on is loopy - and all as a result of I regarded on to an app to study Spanish. Throughout lockdown I began to consider studying Spanish as a result of I used to be bored and wished one thing new to do.
So I joined an app known as HelloTalk, the place you get to talk with native audio system, final August. Tania began to message me. I knew just a few phrases in Spanish, so I might discuss to her and he or she would converse to me to enhance her English too.
"Then after just a few weeks we began video calling and we'd find yourself chatting for 3 or 4, generally 5 hours. I began to really feel like I actually preferred her and I did not actually care how distant she was.
"After two years of Covid lockdown, I actually felt like I wanted to be someplace completely different, in order that was the purpose the place I made a decision I might simply go to go to her."
5 months after assembly Tania on the app, Paul arrived within the Mexican metropolis of Toluca on January 17, travelling the furthest he has ever been on his personal. He describes assembly Tania on the airport because the 'most emotional' of his life.
He added: "I informed my mum why I used to be going to Mexico and he or she thought it was loopy. I flew from London and I bear in mind shaking and having to splash water on my face as a result of I assumed I used to be going to have a panic assault.
"However after I met Tania there have been tears of pleasure in my eyes. It was probably the most emotional second of my life. It sounds tacky by I knew as quickly as I noticed her that she was the one. So I assume it is okay that folks do loopy issues for love."
Paul and Tania toured round Mexico for the subsequent 4 weeks and when the West Lothian man requested his new girlfriend to return again to Scotland with him she rapidly agreed.
Paul continued: "Most individuals carry again their mum a fridge magnet again from vacation, however I introduced again a Mexican woman. Tania has been at residence in Bathgate with me ever since. She's been to Scotland earlier than and he or she loves it right here.
"She thinks the individuals are pleasant and her favorite factor is Tunnocks Teacakes. However after studying how a lot she liked Edinburgh, I knew I needed to suggest to her there."
The couple plan to go again to Mexico quickly to have a good time with Tania's household and Paul cannot wait to check out his new Spanish language abilities.
He stated: "I am getting fairly fluent now and I can watch a Mexican Netflix with out the subtitles. I am unable to wait to return. Mexico will at all times be near my coronary heart. It is the place I met probably the most superb woman."
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