Love at Kent
For six decades, Kent has set the scene for unforgettable love stories — from campus meet-cutes to lifelong commitments.
Love at Kent
Alan and Jennifer
This love story began more than fifty years ago when Alan Buck met Jennifer G. M. Taylor, during Freshers’ Week in 1971, at the start of his second year studying Biochemistry.
While helping on the Camping and Rambling Society stand, he met Jennifer, who had just begun her French Honours degree.
That chance encounter led to a lifelong partnership. The couple married on 16 August 1975, shortly after Jennifer completed her degree, which included a year in France that Alan visited her during. Today, they share two daughters and five grandchildren.
Sally and Alix
In 2014, after not achieving the A-level results she’d hoped for, Sally chose to study Chemistry with a foundation year at Kent — a decision that changed her life. It was there she met Alix, who became her best friend, and later Dom, who joined the course in 2015.
All three graduated with First-Class Honours in Chemistry, with Alix and Dom going on to complete Doctorates at Kent. In October 2025 Sally and Dom married with Alix flying in from her role at the University of Hong Kong to be bridesmaid.
Now part of Kent’s Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability team, Sally is grateful for the lifelong friendships, love, and opportunities the university has given her.
Emilie and Ellie
Emilie and Ellie’s love story began at the University of Kent when Ellie joined the LGBTQ+ Society while Emilie was serving as president.
Their first date — a picnic by the Labyrinth behind Eliot College — was where they quickly fell head over heels for each other.
Just over three years later, during a visit back to Canterbury, Emilie returned to that same special spot to propose. A perfect full-circle moment in the place where their story began.
Heartstopper Forever
Anticipation is high in 2026 for the final installment of the boy-meets-boy graphic novel, and the following Netflix movie. But what's the University of Kent connection?
Moatazbellah and Ayda
Moatazbellah and Ayda first met in early 2017 while studying long hours in Templeman West. After many friendly smiles, they began chatting, with their first date taking place in the library café and one of their first meals together at Origins in Darwin College.
Moatazbellah graduated soon after and began a master’s degree at Kent, while Ayda went on to complete her Law degree and later qualify as a solicitor. The couple got engaged in 2018, married in 2021, and welcomed their beautiful daughter in 2022.
They look forward to one day showing her the brick engraved with their names along the Crab and Winkle Path on the Canterbury campus — a lasting symbol of where their story began.
Research
Do AI love letters give you the ick?
Kent psychologists suggest people think wisely about their use of ChatGPT this Valentine’s Day after new research has revealed that we judge people most when they use AI to write love letters, apologies and wedding vows.
Ryan and Julie
Ryan and Julie first met on Halloween night in 2009 at The Venue, where Julie, dressed as a witch, stole Ryan’s fireman’s helmet — and his heart. They often met for lunch at Origins in Darwin while Ryan tried to win her over. Both lived in Rutherford College during their first years, and Kent quickly became a special place for them.
In 2016, Ryan returned to campus to propose on Eliot Hill, and a year later they married in Canterbury, taking wedding photos on campus.
They have since brought their daughter to Kent showing her where their love story began.
UK Wedding Photographer of the Year
Capturing Love
Kent alum Olly Knight has been crowned UK Wedding Photographer of the Year 2026. Packed with emotion and perfect timing, his work wowed judges with their storytelling and technical skill.
Spontaneous and Full of Life
'I decided that wedding photography was for me actually because of my own wedding in 2009. The Photographer took some great natural, unposed images and I thought -wow, wedding photography doesn't have to be formal or predictable, it can be spontaneous and full of life'. Olly Knight
