Meet Mark and Sonia Briggs the travel enthusiasts who have been together for over 20 years and married for 13. 

Mark who is 52 first spotted Sonia who is 55 in 2000 whilst she was working at their local Tesco, he later found out that she was his friend’s sister and planned to use that as a way to get to know her. 

Mark admits that he “hung out with her brother a little bit more” often attending their family home. “So from there he came to the house with my brother a couple more times and I used to cook them dinner and then they would hang around and then I still didn’t think anything of it,” Sonia shared. 

It was not until after Sonia came back from a holiday in Barbados and was ready to pick up her ‘black book’ when Mark made a move.  The couple had their first date. It was a trip to the cinema and after seeing a film which they both did not enjoy, they bonded over pizza which 4 years later Sonia found out Mark does not like!

“She just made me feel relaxed because she made me laugh. She was very easy to talk to, and the more time I spent with her the more I knew I enjoyed her company and it was always a good vibe,” Mark shared. 

The rest is history and the two have been inseparable since travelling together regularly and always prioritising the fun moments. 

“I thought I’m not dealing with these stupid men anymore”. I hadn’t been out with anyone for six years and then he [Mark] came along and spoiled all of that… So I never ever thought about that black book again,” Sonia said.

Upon reflection Sonia says, “I prayed for Mark to come along… I said God just send me somebody that’s gonna make me laugh every day, I don’t want millions”

“Mark makes me laugh every day and I just love what we’ve got.”

A Fairytale engagement 

Mark popped the question whilst the couple were on holiday in Dubai for Sonia’s 40th birthday.  He befriended a jeweller who approached Sonia as she was leaving a birthday massage, he then managed to convince her to come into his shop to look at bracelets. 

“So I’ve gone in looking for bracelets and then he said, ‘Oh, what about Ring’ – I’m like no, no rings but eventually he’s got me over to look at rings and then he said – what ring would you choose? 

“I chose my own engagement ring without realising,” Sonia explained. 

The whole hotel was in on his plan and later that night a luxury car took them to a surprise dinner at the Burj Khalifa. “When he did pop the question I remembered crying and I still hadn’t answered him. 

People came around us playing that ukulele thing and I still hadn’t answered him and he goes to me – so is it a yes then!” Sonia shared. 

Challenges 

Sonia works in customer service for British Airways and Mark was a cargo operative at the airport. The couple enjoyed lockdown especially as shift workers being able to have time together was “so much fun.”

However, COVID-19 hit their family with Sonia losing her mum last year during the pandemic.  At the same time Mark also became very ill with COVID and despite this, wanted to support Sonia with her mother’s funeral arrangements.  

It presented one of the greatest challenges the couple had faced so far.  “I had to be strong for him because at one stage when he felt so low and so bad he said to me and he’s gonna hear this for the first time. 

“He said – you’re going to have to prepare yourself and I said to him at the time no, you’re going to pull through this, you’re gonna be okay we’re gonna be fine,” Sonia shared. 

Sonia was terrified at the thought of losing Mark especially after losing her Mum to COVID, plus this was early on in the pandemic when little was know about COVID-19. 

“I remember going to go and get him some medication and pulling over on the side of the road and I bawled my eyes out because I’ve just lost my mom, I couldn’t  lose Mark as well, he cannot go anywhere and now he’s here!” Sonia tells The Voice. 

Despite being very ill Mark was still trying to help Sonia plan the funeral.  “We’ve come a long way and we just realised that we can’t take things for granted,” says Mark. 

Tops Tips 

“Talk, talk, talk and listen,  it’s all about talking and listening, that makes the relationship.  “Also making yourself happy, would be the very first thing and you’ve also got to know exactly what you want in your life and then take it from there,” says Mark.

Sonia who has a child from a previous relationship was apprehensive when she met Mark. She did not want different men around her daughter and waited a while before introducing Mark. 

“My previous relationship was just horrible so I wasn’t willing to settle and when I did spread my little wings he came along and made me laugh.  Take it from me, I’m a prime example – single moms can find love,” says Sonia. 

Sonia has a great relationship with Mark’s family with people commenting that they couldn’t tell who was the in-laws and who isn’t. 

“I’ve married his family. I always remember, sadly his Mum and Dad are gone but I always said I wanted that kind of relationship because it was longevity they had 50 years together. 

The Voice is excited to see what is next for the couple with restrictions easing no doubt they’ll be on a plane on the way to a hot destination soon!