Our Saga Begins

Our tale began in the most unexpected of places — the boundless wilderness of the internet. Two souls, separated by over 300 miles, were unknowingly destined to meet. Isla was in the rugged north, in Newcastle; Barry in the southern lands of Kingsclere, Hampshire. Fate — or perhaps the gods — brought us together.

Our first meeting took place in Leeds, a fitting middle ground for what would soon become an unbreakable bond. From the very first moment, we knew something powerful was unfolding. The connection was immediate, magnetic, undeniable.

At the time, Isla was still bound to a life that no longer sparked joy — a relationship of convenience. Like a true Viking, Barry stormed in and stole her heart, liberating her from a path that wasn’t hers to walk. And so began the next chapter of our saga.

We travelled between our longhouses, learning one another’s ways, sharing stories, and strengthening our bond. When Isla first visited Barry’s home, there was little more than a sandbag in the centre of the room and the warm glow of a fire on the TV — no comforts, no clutter — but that didn’t matter. She brought warmth, love, and laughter, transforming his house into a true home.

Our hearts have always been drawn to the old ways — to courage, honour, family, and the making of things with our own hands. That bond deepened when we watched the saga of Vikings together and found ourselves in awe of Ragnar’s vision: a world where all people, no matter their faith, race, or creed, could live together in peace. His forward thinking, his hunger to explore, and his courage to forge new paths mirrors our own way of seeing the world. We believe in travelling to distant lands, learning from other cultures, trading what we can create, and embracing the best of both tradition and modern ways. We share a love for Viking craft, couture, and the marks of devotion and belonging — tattoos we will take for ourselves when we wed. Barry has been a warrior for many years, and together we choose to live with that same fearless spirit.

Our children are an important part of this story. Isla’s three daughters — Lia, Beth, and Tasha — have embraced Barry as one of their own, welcoming him into their family with open arms, a gift he will forever be grateful for. Florence — Flossy — Barry’s daughter, shares a special bond with Isla. They bake, craft, and create together, filling the home with laughter and imagination. The joy of seeing them side by side, lost in their shared creativity, is a warmth that words can barely hold. Though all the children have yet to gather under one roof, we look forward to bringing them together before the wedding, when our clan will finally be whole.

From that point on, every decision we’ve made — no matter how daunting — has felt guided, right, and somehow always turned out exactly as it should. Through every challenge and triumph, it has felt as though the gods themselves were smiling upon us, their blessings ever-present on our journey.

Now, with shields raised and hearts full, we look forward to binding our fates under the ancient traditions of handfasting. Before our family and friends, cords will be wound around our joined hands, knot by knot, promise by promise, sealing our union in a tradition as old as time. Surrounded by those we love, in a place that echoes with the spirit of the old world, we will step forward together into the next chapter of our saga.