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Some eight years ago, I was on a flight from Exeter to Jersey, which stopped at Guernsey on the way through. It was one of those fairly routine inter-island hops, nothing out of the ordinary, just another short journey across the Channel Islands that I’d done before without much thought. 

Whilst on the Guernsey tarmac, I switched my phone on whilst awaiting passengers getting off and on for the onward trip to Jersey. As messages began to come through, one in particular caught my eye. I had a message from a Guernsey lady whom I’d never actually spoken to other than through messages. We’d exchanged the odd conversation before, but nothing more than that. 

She asked if I’d had a nice Christmas – the date was 29th December, that quiet period between Christmas and New Year when everything feels a bit slower and reflective. I responded, slightly amused, “blimey, I’m sitting on a plane at Guernsey airport.” It felt like one of those odd coincidences you don’t think much of at first. 

She responded by suggesting I get off and take her for lunch – it was around 12.00pm! The spontaneity of it made me laugh, and for a brief moment I actually considered it. Of course, I had to complete my journey, even though I pleaded (unsuccessfully!) with the cabin crew and made contact with Ali as soon as I landed. It already felt like a missed opportunity, but also the start of something unexpected. 

As we were on roll, she said, “there are other flights to Guernsey you know”! That was all the encouragement I needed. 

Long story short, I got on the 4.30pm flight back to Guernsey. This time the journey felt very different – full of anticipation rather than routine. I was met by Ali at the airport, and from the moment we met properly, we clicked immediately. What started as a chance message turned into something far more meaningful within a matter of hours. 

Eight years on, we are still together. In that time, we’ve been through a lot – including covid, which tested everyone in different ways, and the changes in inter-island travel with the demise of Flybe, followed by Blue Islands, and eventually Aurigny rightfully picking up the reins of inter-island travel. In many ways, things have come full circle – back to the old days, but with a story of our own now tied into those journeys. 

At the moment, we are enjoying both islands together, making the most of what each has to offer. And when we spend time apart, it only helps recharge the batteries and reminds us how it all started – with a message, a moment, and a flight that could easily have been forgotten, but never will be. 

Love is in the air.