Who said love at first sight doesn’t exist? When Steve first saw Rachel at Prologis Park Dunstable, he turned to his friend to say ‘Here comes my wife’ – but who would have thought this was exactly what was in store for them?
It’s clear that Steve always knew something special was on the cards for him and Rachel, and the journey that began on an unexpected day at our Dunstable site continued to blossom in the years to come.
This Valentine’s Day, we caught up with Steve to find out more about his story…
Prologis: Tell us about how you both first crossed paths?
Steve: “In 2007, Rachel and I were both working at Prologis Park Dunstable for Superdrug, she was a Stock Control Supervisor and I was a Goods Inward Supervisor. Superdrug had initially planned to open their site in Hemel Hempstead, which wouldn’t have worked for me in terms of location so I likely wouldn’t have taken on the role – I suppose you could say it was fate!
“I still remember seeing Rachel for the first time – she was walking towards the warehouse office and, blown away, I turned to my friend and said ‘Here comes my wife!’. Fast forward eighteen years later and here we are!”
Prologis: How did your story progress after that?
Steve: “Things moved quite quickly, with the site holding some really special memories for us. I remember driving into the Park with Rachel, having lunches together, and going on great nights out with the Superdrug team. We were the first team in when the Park opened, and it’s really cool to be a part of its history. When I drive past the Dunstable site today, it’s great to reminisce about all the memories and how it was the starting point for our story.
“Since then, my career took me to Holland on a two-year secondment and I started really travelling for work and I absolutely love it. There’s so much to see and do, and no day is the same, which is perfect for me.
“Rachel put up with my jet-setting, and I know I wouldn’t have been able to have had those amazing experiences without her patience. Thankfully, she decided to stick around and we’re now happily married with three children.”
Prologis: Have your personalities always been quite different or similar?
Steve: “Rachel has been a calm and steady constant in my life which has been a real blessing, especially when things get hectic with work. I tend to be quite spontaneous, and she really allows me the space to do that while balancing me out.
“Something we share is our love for logistics. We’ve always enjoyed working in the sector and it’s great because we each understand the nature of the work we do. I think the people aspect of logistics is what has kept us drawn to it all these years as it just fits our personalities.”
Prologis: Can you tell us more about what life looks like for you today as a married couple?
Steve: “Today, we spend nearly every day together as I’m now UK-based, working as Head of Projects and Implementation for ID Logistics, from Prologis Grange Park in Northampton. Rachel is still at Superdrug and is now National Transport Operations Manager.
“Our day-to-day now revolves around a routine of kid’s birthday parties, dinner dates and family holidays. We love a good road trip, and sometimes it’s great not to plan so much and just see where the trip takes you – I let Rachel put her planning hat on for the first and last night, and she lets me go with the flow for the days in between.
“It’s interesting to look back and see how a story like this can unfold. I had that special feeling the very first time I saw Rachel and I suppose when you know, you just know. I’m so glad I took the job at Superdrug and wouldn’t change a thing.”
