A bored teenager in 1998 sent a text message to a random number, saying “Hello” and sparked a long-distance friendship that lasted over two decades.
Donovan, 45, a former DJ who now works in cyber security, said: “I started sending out random text messages, showing off to my friends saying ‘I can page other phones’. I picked the first four digits the same as mine which were 07775, then the last three digits randomly – it was probably about five or six different numbers – and then didn’t think anything of it.”
“I remember one of the messages I sent was to a number ending in 365 that belonged to Kirsty, a 19-year-old living in another part of the country.”
To their surprise, Kirsty responded, and they started exchanging texts.
Kirsty, a Scots-born woman, and Donovan, a Coventry native, met in 1998 when Donovan sent her a text message saying “Hello” to a random number. Kirsty, who had just gotten her first mobile phone, responded with “Hi, who’s this?” and they started chatting.
At the time, camera phones weren’t common, so they had to describe each other’s appearances through text. Kirsty asked Donovan what he looked like, and he replied that he was 6ft 6ins tall. She was skeptical at first but was relieved to discover that he was indeed that tall when they met.
Their conversation flowed easily, and they found themselves texting throughout the day. Donovan’s phone bill eventually exceeded £250 a month, prompting him to suggest they switch to phone calls. As they talked, Kirsty revealed her Scottish accent, which captivated Donovan.
Six months after their initial text, Donovan invited Kirsty to meet him in Coventry. Kirsty, who was 18 at the time, took a train to meet him without knowing much about him. Donovan took her to a nightclub and then bought her a kebab.
Their first night out ended with a romantic cuddle, and they both knew they had found something special. Donovan described Kirsty as an amazing woman, intelligent, and his best friend.
Years later, the couple is renewing their marriage vows at Coventry Cathedral on Valentine’s Day. Donovan is excited to share this moment with their children, who are eager to see their mother dressed up.