About Us: Ann and Lee
Lee and Ann met in the 80s and share a deep love for nature, design, and sustainability, which they have woven into both their lives and business. In 2000, they co-founded STORY, an eco-friendly store and gallery that evolved into Story Deli, a renowned pizzeria in Bethnal Green known for its organic approach to food.
Can you describe when you first met? What were your initial impressions of each other?
Lee: I use the word crazy, bonkers. Ann looked crazy and bonkers. The way she dresses, the way she puts herself together, the way she moves. She has a simple way of holding herself in space as well, which I found attractive. It was mainly physical, I think. Glancing across the room, thinking, she's hot.
Ann: I thought, handsome. Love the blue eyes. Physical. It was actually originally physical. And then you just get to know the person. And that's how it develops.
When did you first realize you were in love with your partner?
Ann: Well for me, I've never overthought anything. I've never made a plan, never had a plan of how things should be. So it was just a feeling that felt right without thinking about it. And I would say that being “in love” is different to “love”. I think “in love” is heady and it probably doesn't last. Whereas “love” is something that is much more important, pure love. I think “in love” is a little bit dangerous.
Lee: Agree. I'm not in love with Ann. I never have been in love with Ann. I just love her. We are very much like two swans around each other. Touching each other, going away, coming back. Being together, always being together, being close. But not “in love”, but loving. I knew it pretty early on. A warmth and a lightness which I'm interpreting as love I think.
What’s the smell of your first date or first time meeting or are there any scents that instantly bring you back to a moment you shared together?
Lee: Jasmine
Ann: Yeah, jasmine in India. We went on a trip to India and it was night time. The jasmine starts to smell absolutely exquisite at that time. Its little white flowers were glowing and the smell was heavenly. I think that's probably one of the most intense smells that I can remember. Visually and sensory.
What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself through this relationship?
Lee: Giving. I’ve learnt to give to make a relationship work like ours. It's just me giving and stopping being a bloke basically. Ann has taught me to be a person, not a guy.
So that's the main thing for me. The ability to give and if I stop giving I know it won't work for me or for us. Ann has taught me to give and taught me a way of looking at myself. Which makes me love me and love her in a funny sort of way more than I'd ever imagined it would be.
Ann: I would say exactly the same - giving. You've just got to be prepared to, I won't use the word compromise because I think that's quite a different thing, but to be prepared to give, to understand.
Can you describe a few important moments of connection in your relationship?
Ann: Well, our much-loved dog, Dotty, has just had puppies. And we were with her throughout. We helped her with them, and we went through it with her. And that was a connection which then took us back to when we had our son. I mean, you can't get more connected than that, really. Life. Giving life.
Lee: I'm the same on that. The connection's always been there. From cooking meals together, to going on a trip together, walking the dog and whatever. But the big events have definitely been, last week, Dotty having puppies, and our son, and loads of other things have been through the relationship. We’ve never had a dog before and people talk about them becoming part of the family. She is a member of our family. And hence, you know, the importance of her puppies.
Could you describe what love is?
Ann: I'd say it’s understanding, caring.
Lee: A different word to use instead of companionship or friendship or togetherness or wanting, needing, enjoying. Any of those kind of mixed together come to it. I can't really say what love is apart from that.
How would you describe your partner’s natural scent?
Lee: The best place to sense and get awareness of Ann is the back of her neck, underneath her hair. Ann is musky and if there's such a thing as a non-spice spice. It's got this great amazing earthiness about it.
How has your love and relationship changed and developed over time?
Ann: I don't think it has. I think it's been the same all the time.
Lee: I think it no longer requires as much information exchanging between us. We know what to do. We know how the other one is feeling and acting. And very little is said. We’re not gushing and grabbing and shouting and having these amazing debates.
Ann: We coexist in a sort of quiet way. And I think I know when Lee is upset about something or needs space. It's quite intuitive.
