Octogenarians who wed after their trolleys collided at a supermarket looking forward to first Christmas as married pair

A couple in their eighties whose trolleys collided in a chance meeting at a supermarket last Christmas have tied the knot after a whirlwind romance.

Wendy Hazell, 80, a former antique dealer, was single for 32 years before bumping into Paul Hazell, 83, a former furniture business owner, at a Sainsbury’s in Matlock, Derbyshire, on December 27, 2021.

After a whirlwind romance they were engaged in March, just three months after meeting, and were married on Wendy’s 80th birthday in September, before moving in together shortly afterwards.

Wendy said: “I wasn’t looking for love and had been very happily single for over 30 years when I met Paul.

Wendy lived in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, for 40 years but had not long since moved back to the UK when she had the chance meeting with Paul – who has four grown-up children.

“I married an American in 1979 and moved over (to Massachusetts) with him,” Wendy explained.

She added: “I’d been single ever since.”

Wendy said she was not looking for love when she bumped into Paul two days after Christmas in 2021.

“I have a very full life with lots of friends and family, so I was never interested in remarrying after my divorce,” she said.

She added: “But it wasn’t until December 27, 2021, that I met Paul.”

Both Paul and Wendy were residents of Audley St Elphin’s Park, a retirement village in Matlock.

“I was turning the corner of an aisle in Sainsbury’s when my trolley collided with another trolley,” said Wendy.

She added: “I heard the man say, ‘Oh hello Wendy, I’m Paul,’ and I recognised him from the village.

“We got talking and he said to me, ‘I see you eating alone in the restaurant a lot. You know, I’d love to join you at some point’.”

“It was during our dinner that I just knew,” she said.

“He’s very nice, seemed very genuine, and over the next few weeks we had more dinners together.

In March 2022, Paul, who has been widowed twice, popped the question.

Wendy said: “We were at home, just having a drink, and he said, ‘you know I think I’d really like to marry you,’ and I said, ‘I think I might like to marry you too.’

She added: “Paul joked to everyone that he had asked me how many children I would like to have.”

The couple got married at Thornbridge Hall in Bakewell, Derbyshire, on September 12.

She added: “My friend Ivan, who was also an antique dealer, gave me away and my daughter, Kristina, and my friend, Gillian, were my bridesmaids.

“I sang a song during the ceremony called La Novia, which is Spanish and translates to ‘the wedding’.”

“I didn’t think it was a good idea to move in together until we got married,” Wendy said.

“I have quite a big flat so Paul moved in with me after we were wed.”

Now the newlyweds are looking forward to spending their first Christmas together.

Wendy said: “We’re going away for Christmas to Kilworth House Hotel in Leicestershire.

“We were there in June and they have a lovely open-air theatre where they put on all the old musicals.

She added: “It’s just wonderful and we knew we had to book for Christmas, so hopefully we’ll have a fabulous time.

“I never expected that I’d find love at my age but I’m so glad to have found Paul, we are great companions for each other.

“I’m looking forward to our first Christmas together and the years to come.”