Mark and Simone have been together for 10 years. Originally from Manchester, Mark met “the love of his life Simone,” who is from Birmingham and moved to live with her.
Mark is a 43 year old photographer / videographer who loves creating things, he’s also a music artist and a staunch vegan. They have six children: one aged 19, 8, 7, 5, 3, and 9 months and the last 5 children they teach at home.
“We try to reference learning paths within our lifestyle, all core topics can be covered, even while shopping … we make sure that we pay attention to creativity and lots of play in the open air,” explains Simone.
How they met
The couple first met online, but shortly thereafter, Simone was also connected to Mark via a creative network while she was looking for a videographer.
“We met in Manchester and on that first date it was like we got married there, we made our first promises,” said Simone.
“I literally said to her – can I keep you?” Mark shared. The two have been committed to each other since that first date.
“I felt like I had my relationship with Mark manifested before I met him … I felt emotionally secure and knew that he would take me to new heights that he has – he was the mature traditional man I wanted “, Simone explained.
The couple instantly connected and discussed everything from veganism to homeschooling future children on their first date. Simone said that she had to learn a lot when she met Mark, she realized that he was a valuable man and that he was different from what she was used to.
“As women, we are looking for men to raise their level for us, but I think we should do that too to make sure we are the person we want to be with,” explains Simone.
Mark, Simone and their lovely children
The couple gave birth to their last two children at home after being unsatisfied with maternity services and seeking a more spiritual experience during childbirth. “It’s powerful, we could do it more and less alone. We bonded together and felt that we could deliver our babies safely … it was empowering as a couple. “
They describe the home births as a turning point and an experience that really shows their trust in one another.
“I think that’s where you find meaning, you come together as a man and woman and create life. This is an important moment in every relationship … with 5 children in 10 years you really push yourself to the limit, you push each other and experience new challenges that bring each other out more and bring you closer together, ”explains Mark.
“Being a father is the most important thing in my job and that’s what I took over from Rae, who is not biologically my child – I take the role of father very seriously,” explains Mark.
“After the birth, Mark put me in bed rest for two weeks, it was hard to let go and ignore the laundry basket, but I had to trust him and this rest made so much sense. As a single mother, letting go was really difficult, but I had to learn to let go, ”explains Simone.
The couple have Caribbean and African heritage, Mark has Nigerian and Ugandan heritage; and Simone’s family is from Jamaica and St. Kitts.
The couple, who have been married for four years, describe their wedding day as one of the best moments they have shared so far. Their wedding was very unconventional. Instead of wedding favors, they asked people to donate clothing and supplies, which they then sent to Mark’s mother’s homeland, Uganda. They also urged guests to wear traditional African clothing and picnic on the wedding venue grounds, as opposed to a traditional meal.
“I didn’t want us to spend thousands on meat, especially when Mark is vegan, so I had a lightbulb moment and thought let’s go have a picnic.
At weddings everyone complains about the food, but at our wedding everyone showed the dishes they had brought and shared them with others! ”Simone explained.
“I think you bring people out into nature; they breathe and feel different. They also eat so that they are happy … food is a universal language, ”explained Mark.
They had their dream wedding and started married life debt free which they said worked perfectly for them!
Biggest challenge
You have busy family and work lives and run several family businesses in addition to home schooling, which means finding time can be a challenge at times.
“Finding time for each other and balancing that out can be a challenge. We always think about what intimacy means to us to make sure that we bless each other every day, ”explained Simone. They make a point of making time for each other and making sure this time is special.
“I think for myself I always try to say that we need to take time for each other … kids can be a big distraction sometimes, you enjoy them in the moment, but you might be neglecting something in the background that does come to your head when.” the kids are gone, “explained Mark.
They have developed mechanisms to keep things romantic.
“One thing we do is try not to get past each other without smelling a kiss, a hug, a buttocks, stroking my hair, even if we hold hands a little.
“When we kiss or talk, we try not to let the children interrupt us unless it’s blood or fire. You might expect to hear that having six kids would be the most challenging, but based on the way they raise their kids, they say six isn’t as difficult as you think.
“It also depends on how you raise your family; Our children do not challenge us, they challenge us, but they are not hyperactive or badly brought up … they are good children and we are very good parents, ”explains Simone.
Best tips
The couple are very spiritual and you can feel a positive energy between them.
“Well, the first is that you have to have a balance between male and female energies and have a healthy respect for one another. I think there is a risk that in this generation where people are trying to get rid of the idea that men and women are different when they are clearly and we have different wants and needs, you are too awake.
“I also think that commitment is not a feeling, understanding that it’s a choice you make, to be selfless and to think of each other, to do things for each other,” advises Mark.
Finally, the creative duo emphasizes the importance of the exercise of creativity. They added that this is good for mental health and creates a connection through collaboration.
“I think it’s really important, just as you create kids, which is a massive creative process, you can create other things – business, art, all of these are the things that mean a lot and, above all, create memories,” explained Mark.
The Voice loves the energy of this couple and we are excited to see what the future holds for them.
You can keep up with this couple via Instagram @ withlovefrommrsroberts.x and on YouTube.
