Falling in love at the workplace is one of the classic tropes of romance films, but for one couple the cliche has become a romantic reality - as they met and fell in love while both working as train drivers.
Ben and Lauren Stowers recently tied the knot, but they first met on shift as drivers for Southeastern Railway, where they helped their passengers reach destinations across London, Kent, and East Sussex.
However, it wasn't until the newlyweds both walked into the train crew area at Dartford station that they first locked eyes and found they had an instant connection.
Looking back on the romantic moment, Ben said: “I’d walked into the mess room moaning and her initial thoughts of me were – 'He’s so miserable!' My first recollection of Lauren was seeing her and thinking she was beautiful. We became firm friends quickly.”
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As train drivers, Ben and Lauren form part of the 2,000 trains operating on Southeastern Railway every single day, but their hectic schedule means they only ever get to see brief glimpses of each other throughout their working day.
But their busy lives haven't stopped them from starting a life together, as their friendship turned to romance in 2017 and the pair have been going strong ever since.
Remembering the moment Ben asked Lauren to be his girlfriend, the train driver admitted he couldn't believe she had actually agreed to start a relationship with him - and is still baffled by his luck to this day.
He added: “I remember my mouth getting so dry as I couldn’t believe we were an item. I still can’t! I think our colleagues knew we were a couple before even we did, due to our great friendship and the way I looked at her!”
And although they share the same occupation, the train drivers try not to talk about work while at home - even if Ben does like to quiz Lauren on the latest railway policies from time to time.
In fact, the pair are so committed to their jobs that they're not even taking time off for Valentine's Day on February 14, as Ben will be heading into Grove Park station for a shift.
However, Ben has admitted the best part about working for Southeastern Railway has definitely been meeting - and marrying - his wife Lauren.
He said: "The best thing about working for Southeastern for me is that I got to meet Lauren. Cheesy I know, but true.”
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