A lady has tied the knot with a gentleman she encountered on a trip to Turkey through Grindr, despite the need to rely on Google Translate for communication.
Shane Harding, a 28-year-old transgender individual from Barnstaple, Devon, visited Turkey with her sister, who was undergoing surgery. She decided to use the app in hopes of connecting with someone from the LGBTQ+ community to guide her around Istanbul.
The initial message she received was from Mert Isrem, a 29-year-old from Istanbul, expressing his interest in meeting Shane and showing her the city.
Despite the language barrier – Shane not speaking Turkish and Mert not speaking English – they managed to communicate using Google Translate throughout the entire week.
After a whirlwind romance that lasted a week, the couple became deeply enamored and spent a year shuttling between the UK and Turkey.
In June of last year, they exchanged vows and currently reside together in Devon. Mert has since become fluent in English, thanks to Shane’s guidance.
Shane, a content creator, shared, “When I first met Mert, he didn’t speak any English. We relied on Google Translate, and I felt an instant connection with him. We explored Istanbul together, had meaningful conversations, and by the fifth day, I knew I had fallen in love with him. Over a few drinks at our hotel, we confessed our love for each other.”
Mert, a barber, recalled, “I asked Shane to meet up, and she explained that she was in Turkey looking after her sister. I was captivated by her beauty, and our first five days together were magical. The thought of getting married never crossed my mind. Our wedding day was indescribable; it was filled with joy and surrounded by our loved ones.”
The couple’s paths crossed in June 2022 when Shane booked a hotel in Istanbul to explore the city while her sister recuperated in the hospital.
Describing their initial interaction on Grindr, Shane expressed, “Mert’s message caught my eye. I found him very attractive. Despite him being in another part of Turkey on vacation, he messaged me six hours later to inquire about my whereabouts. He surprised me by cutting short his holiday to meet me. In the UK, I usually feel nervous meeting new people, but in Turkey, I was simply excited to meet this charming man.”
Their first date went exceptionally well, leading to spending the following five days together. Shane realized her feelings for Mert and mustered the courage to express her love before returning to the UK.
She recounted, “I confessed my feelings to him, saying, ‘I don’t know about you, but I have fallen in love with you.’ He smiled, held my hand, and reciprocated the feeling.”
Overwhelmed with emotions, Shane wept throughout her flight back home. After nine days apart, she flew back to Turkey for a two-week stay with Mert’s family.
She shared, “I was deeply in love with him. I got to experience the warmth of a Turkish family.”
Following her return to the UK for a seven-week period, Shane headed back to Turkey to reunite with Mert. On September 23, 2022, Mert orchestrated a romantic proposal on a private yacht.
Recalling the proposal, Shane said, “Despite the stormy weather with thunder and lightning, a beautiful rainbow appeared. Mert remarked, ‘the LGBTQ+ gods are watching over us.’ We enjoyed a delightful three-course meal with stunning views. Suddenly, Mert pointed to a bridge where laser-projected writing read, ‘will you marry me.’”
“I was taken aback and giggly. It was an unexpected moment. I never imagined finding love or getting engaged. I said yes, and the message on the bridge changed to ‘Shane said yes,’ accompanied by boats in the harbor honking their horns. It was truly magical,” Shane added.
Shane and Mert exchanged vows on June 23, 2023, precisely one year after their first encounter in Istanbul.
Describing their wedding day, Shane shared, “It was the most enchanting day of my life. We had a beautiful ceremony at an old country pub surrounded by our loved ones. Our love story has been a dream. Every relationship faces challenges, especially when one relocates to another country, but I cherish every moment. The fact that our wedding coincided with the anniversary of our meeting signifies that we are destined to be together.”
“Mert struggles a bit with the British weather; he finds the summers too hot and humid, dislikes the rain, and is not fond of house spiders. However, everything else is going well. We have a cat named Lilly and have discussed the possibility of starting a family in the future,” Shane added.