How I met my husband

Just a lady standing in entrance of a boy… surrounded by metal drums and dancers in sparkly, feathered costumes.

It may sound like a scene from a well known romcom, however the setting for this love story was London’s vibrant Notting Hill Carnival.

Sheyi had been to the well-known occasion yearly since she was 10 years outdated.

Then at 24, the seasoned party-goer ended up assembly the love of her life in a “accident”.

As carnival fever kicks in once more this summer time, Sheyi has been reflecting on the “wonderful recollections” she has had on the occasion through the years.

And certainly one of them was assembly her husband, Simon.

“My husband grew up on a farm in Winchester and occurred to be in London as a result of he was about to begin his first instructing job in Tottenham,” stated Sheyi, who now runs a tutoring enterprise along with her husband and lives in Acton, west London.

“That is why he was in London in the summertime of 2012 and his buddies stated he needed to come to the carnival after which he occurred to finish up on the social gathering I used to be at.”

Now aged 36, with two younger youngsters – Isabella, 5, and Noah, who is almost 5 months outdated – she stated Notting Hill Carnival generally “will get unhealthy press” however there was far more good than unhealthy.

Welcoming individuals from all walks of life, it has appeared notably wanted after a month that noticed racist rioting throughout the UK.

“I’ve wonderful recollections there and usually I feel it is a actually nice method to rejoice black tradition,” she stated.

“I bear in mind the primary time I used to be taken to the carnival by my aunt truly, once I was about 10.

“I used to be actually fascinated by and liked the dancing, ambiance, meals and music,” she stated.

“I at all times use it as a spot to take my buddies who usually are not British and we have at all times had an incredible time.”

It has turn out to be a household custom since Isabella’s first carnival in 2022.

As effectively as having fun with consuming patties and watching the floats, Sheyi stated her daughter was actually “excited” to listen to how particular Notting Hill Carnival has been for her mother and father.

“Each time she’s gone since she’s had such time,” she stated.

“I’ve at all times had core childhood recollections from it as effectively after which I clearly met my husband there after which acquired to take my daughter there.”

Sheyi has solely ever missed carnival when it went on-line resulting from Covid and when she was closely pregnant.

She stated the police and the councils for Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea ensured security was a precedence.

“I’ve at all times discovered the policing fairly good, particularly previously 5 to 6 yearsm” she saud.

“I feel the councils in cost take actually excellent care of the world and actually assist to make the carnival an pleasant expertise.

“I’ve wonderful recollections there.”