On this page you will find information about:
Elena was born in Paisley on 29th April 1980. She went to school at Alexandra Primary School, Airdrie and then St Margaret's High School, Airdrie. She then studied medicine at Edinburgh University and also studied psychology for a year as part of this in order to get a BSc. She then moved to Wolfson College, Cambridge to continue her medical studies. She has finally finished her studies and is now working as a PRHO in Addenbrookes hospital in Cambridge.
Charles was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, on 23rd February 1978. He went to school at Kingshott Preparatory school in Hitchin and then Bedford school in Bedford. He then moved to New College, Oxford, to study chemistry. After his MChem, he stayed in Oxford to carry out a DPhil in organic chemistry. He is due to graduate soon and will then be working as a postdoc in chemistry.
How we met
We met on a music course in Aberdeen. We were both there with different music groups. Our initial meeting was when we were both playing in a Russian orchestra (communication within the orchestra was interesting). Elena was playing flute and Charlie was playing french horn. Elena wasn't playing in one of the pieces and Charlie ended up sitting in her seat. On the last night there was a party for all the groups and we were sitting at the same table and we still hadn't managed to get together. We ended up sitting next to each other on the bus and finally, at 1am on the last night of the course, 14th August 1999, we got together. The rest, as they say, is history.
The engagement
We had booked a long weekend in Paris last July. On 13th July 2002, almost 3 years after we met, Charlie finally managed to 'pop the question'. He had always said that he wanted to propose properly and would need a ring. Elena had wanted my ring from MacIntyres in Glasgow and knew that Charlie wouldn.t have the ring so it came as a surprise, even though some of our family insisted that was when he would propose. He did, however, buy an alternative ring to match earrings and a necklace he had previously bought for Elena. He took Elena out for a romantic meal. He also had the champagne prepared at home to celebrate the union/to drown his sorrows if the answer was no.... After dinner, we went for a walk by the Eiffel tower. People were testing the fireworks as it was the night before Bastille day. We walked round to the little pond by the Eiffel tower and Charlie went down on one knee there. And of course the answer was yes... We then chose a ring together from the jewellers the next time we were in Scotland.
Future plans
Elena is working for 4 months in Cambridge doing general and respiratory medicine. From June until February 2005, she will be in King's Lynn working in the oncology centre and the department of surgery. She is looking forward to working for 120 hours a week!!!!! After that she is hoping to specialise in psychiatry.
Charlie is starting work as a postdoctorate organic chemist in Nottingham in March, once he completes his DPhil.
Hopefully they will stay together soon once all their initial training is out the way!