About us
We met in Brussels for the first time in 2019 next to Maison Antoine, the most iconic place for French fries in Belgium. From that moment on, we were, in every way that mattered, never apart again.
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Beginnings
Back then, Simon was immersed in the fast-paced world of financial journalism, while Katarina had just arrived in Brussels to pursue a career in pharmaceutical policy. Two demanding professional lives, running in parallel, did not make for an obvious or easy beginning. For that reason alone, we remain eternally grateful to the Tinder algorithm — a rare instance of technology understanding something profoundly human.
Covid
A little over six months into our relationship, the COVID-19 pandemic arrived — a moment that tested even the strongest partnerships. Before the first lockdown was officially announced, Simon had already learned of the likely closure. We packed one pyjama and two leggings, left Brussels for what was meant to be a week-end at the Belgian seaside, and unknowingly stepped into a defining chapter of our lives. One week became three months. Within that small, self-contained world by the sea, time slowed, distractions faded, and what remained was simple and essential. We discovered that being together — uninterrupted and unplanned — felt not only natural, but inevitable. It is difficult, even now, to imagine a more formative or intimate beginning.
Moving in
When the first lockdown ended, we moved in together into our Brussels apartment, which we have since built and shaped side by side. Room by room, it became both a home and a reflection of who we were becoming — together.
Over the years that followed, we explored the world and each other — across countries, cultures, and everyday moments both ordinary and extraordinary. Wherever life carried us, one truth remained constant: what mattered most was simply being next to each other.
Since then
Along the way, Belgium and Slovakia grew closer as well. Katarina learned French, something she once believed impossible. Simon learned Slovak, enough to order his favourite beer in local pubs — and, more unexpectedly, to discover a deep appreciation for Slovak nature and a new passion for hunting.
Through moments of joy and periods of uncertainty, we supported one another, building a foundation that allowed us to grow — personally and professionally — while loving each other unconditionally.
Seven years together
On 1 August 2026, we will celebrate not only our wedding, but also our seventh anniversary together. Seven is said to be a lucky number. We know only this: we are extraordinarily lucky to have found each other.