‘Love moves in mysterious ways’ for farm fit couple

Online friendship bloomed into rural romance and an engagement for young-at-heart country couple, who met on Muddy Matches.

A farm fit 75-year-old widower, who vowed to give himself 12 months breathing space on any major decisions in life, got engaged to his muddy match, exactly a year on from his promise.

And he says, “the world moves in mysterious ways.”

60% muddy, retired fruit farmer Thomas met divorced ‘action woman’ Helen whilst farmer dating on Muddy Matches in May 2021.

To step into rural online dating – first for friendship – was a bold step for Thomas. He was widowed after 18 years of marriage, and had never lived more than two miles from his home in West Sussex.

For muddy match Helen, it too was unfamiliar territory. She had recently moved south, and it was a first foray into online dating. With it came trepidation.

Enjoying a more traditional, slower pace of dating, and using their time well to get to know each other remotely, Thomas and Helen found plenty of common ground. They bonded over a shared love of dogs, adventure sports, ski trips and rusty tennis rackets as well as a farming upbringing. It was a mutual match that both felt had genuine legs.

Now the pair are engaged to be married after Thomas proposed in January 2022.

“I had one rule,” Thomas tells us. “No major decisions for 12 months.” His life mantra gave the relationship chance to bloom.

“There was no pressure either way,” he adds. “Trust has to be earned on both sides. I think that actually reinforced the new friendship.

Thomas and Helen met in person, with Thomas’ two wire-haired dachshunds – Mole and Mabel – in tow, for a walking date in early May. They never looked back.

He added “Through Muddy Matches I have met a very special lady. The world moves in mysterious ways; Helen only moved to the area 12 months before we met yet we have several mutual friends too.

“Thank you for getting me to where I am so quickly. It was money well spent in my book.”