Leah and Andrew Taylor Jones, a couple with Down’s Syndrome, have a beautiful love story that began with a series of near misses before they finally met and fell in love at first sight. Both from Runcorn, Cheshire, Leah and Andrew had crossed paths multiple times without realizing their destinies were intertwined.
Both Leah and Andrew were members of the same gym and had even attended a gymnastics competition together in the past. But it wasn’t until they both joined the inclusive Ella Performance Group in 2013 that fate brought them together. This was the moment they knew they were meant to be.
In June of last year, Leah and Andrew tied the knot in a stunning Alice in Wonderland tea-party themed wedding. Their special day was a reminder to everyone that love can be just around the corner. Leah, now 39, shared, “When I met Andrew, I knew I liked him straight away. He’s my best friend, and I want to grow old with him.” Andrew, 43, who works as a store assistant at Asda, proposed to Leah on his 38th birthday at a local restaurant with a toast of prosecco.
Leah had struggled with her self-esteem and confidence when she was younger. With the help of her personal assistant, she decided to establish an arts program to help people with disabilities gain confidence. Today, Leah runs the non-profit company, Positive You, which supports individuals across the UK.
Before meeting Andrew, Leah had even considered applying to be on Channel 4’s Undateables, a program that helps match individuals who feel unlucky in love. But fate had a different plan for her. As Leah’s mom, Sue, said, “From the moment Leah was born, her dad and I took the attitude that she would have access to everything her brothers had. Having a relationship was exactly what we always wanted for her because she wanted it for herself.”
After several postponements due to Covid, Leah and Andrew finally celebrated their wedding day with 28 guests at All Saints Church in Daresbury, the hometown of Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland. The day was perfectly captured by photographer Wes Simpson Weddings.
This year, the couple plans to have a full wedding reception with over 100 guests, inviting everyone who was unable to attend due to Covid restrictions. Leah and Andrew want to share their incredible love story to inspire other hopeful romantics. Andrew’s advice is to wait for the right person because they are always just around the corner.
So, to all those who are still searching for their soulmate, remember that love can find you when you least expect it.
