A Love Story.

I am a man of modesty, when it comes to my personal relationships. I am not the sort to plaster pictures all over social media, or make a fuss about dating. I think it’s a private matter, but if you’ll indulge me, I’d like to tell you about my favourite person in the world: Maria Fedulova.

We met on a cold day in August, 2019. We were both in Edinburgh, performing as comedians. We were introduced by a mutual friend. Now, I don’t believe in ‘Love at first sight’, but as soon as I saw this magnificent woman I had a feeling there was something special about her. As sharp and witty as she was beautiful, we got on from the moment we first spoke. since we met, all those months ago, there has never been a moment we didn't have something to communicate to each other. We clicked instantly, and for the time we were together in Scotland, we were inseparable. Her voice is like music to my ears, her wit is sharp, and her insights well thought out and interesting.

We spent hours walking through parks, laughing and connecting, the evenings going to see shows and the nights holding each other as we fell asleep. The perfect ‘Holiday romance’.

But after the dream like state that is the Festival, we still wanted to spend time together. She came back with me to my funny little flat, and we lived there as comfortably as a couple who’ve been together 20 years.

She has it all. Funny, smart, challenging, caring and open. Any criticism she has comes from a place of knowledge and respect, and she knows what she wants in life. She speaks at least three languages fluently, and is responsible and realistic, as well as capable of fantastic feats of comedic and otherworldly thought. She makes me laugh, and makes what I do better at every turn with her suggestions and amendments.

I do not believe in fate, but the odds of us two, a pairing so perfectly in sync from two such different parts of the world meeting in such random circumstance and being so well suited is one of the great accidents that make existence great. We compliment each other, and any life that contains a connection as great as this is a life worth living.

I admire Maria Fedulova, everything she stands for and everything she is. I hope we have many more years of intimate connection, and that distance, country borders and financial constraints don't ever stop us from being two parts of a singular whole.

The pictures below represent us at our best. Backstage at a comedy show, where the performed material is the fruit of a combined and powerful union, one born of mutual respect, care, and above all, the desire to entertain and please.

I know, on that cold Scottish day, I made made a friend forever. How lucky a man I am to have experienced this in my lifetime.

Maria, you make me want to sing songs and write jokes. I Love you.