1.02.21 (virtual) 31.07.21 (face-to-face)   A certain strategic health information officer was looking for a visual refresh and branding update for a knowledge management platform. A certain graphic designer came highly recommended. Six months (181 days to be exact) after working together virtually, they met for the first time in person. She was on mission and he was living in Dakar. They continued to collaborate for another year and a half, during which they saw each other once again in New York. As part of a team visit he made to Brazzaville, they reconnected… and friendship turned into partnership on 23.11.22.

8.11.23   Both of us had already discussed marriage in the early days, so we had promised ourselves to each other well before the formal proposal. Fifteen days before the anniversary of our decision to take this journey together, we went to a ‘VIP show’ at the Planetarium of the Royal Observatory Greenwich in London. After the astronomer took us through an exploration of the night sky and constellations visible that evening, Matthias got down on one knee! One was shocked while the other was waiting, eventually a “YES” was whispered, and we were engaged. Three days after that (11.11.23), we were married religiously – the imam-led ceremony was held in Dakar, while we Zoomed in from London. Twelve days later, we spent the anniversary of our official ‘kick-off’ in Cape Town, South Africa.   We look forward to celebrating our union with all of you.   See you in Sénégal!