I married my man via Zoom even though we’d never met – three months later my whole world came crashing down

AS Ayse Reeves watched her American boyfriend propose over Zoom she screamed with delight and thought all of her dreams had come true.

Despite never even meeting Darrin Martin, she’d fallen head-over-heels in love after striking up an online friendship with the 24-year-old during lockdown.

She quickly said “yes”, and even though global restrictions prevented them walking down the aisle, they legally married over the Internet – making the 26-year-old NHS cleaner from Lancaster Britain’s first Zoom bride.

Her story went viral and made headlines around the world – but The Sun can reveal things have taken a heartbreaking twist. 

For just weeks after saying “I do” to factory worker Darrin, from Michigan, heartbroken Ayse discovered he was playing away with an ex.

She is now trying to terminate their marriage. She told The Sun: “It wasn’t the fairytale ending I had hoped for.

“I first became suspicious Darrin might be seeing someone else last year. I felt like something was off, and whenever I asked him he denied anything was happening. 

“I then became aware of an ex-girlfriend he had called Liz. And, after I got in touch with her, she messaged me on Facebook saying, ‘Yes I’m sleeping with your husband, and we’re together’. 

“I have asked them since if they are together or not but I get told one thing and then find out the opposite on their social media accounts.”

Ayse has now filed for an annulment “citing non-consummation” as the reason for the marriage ending. 

However, due to Darrin being in the States and Ayse in the UK, it is taking weeks for the final paperwork to arrive to dissolve their marriage.

The Sun first revealed last year how Ayse had agreed to marry Darrin without meeting him. 

Speaking at the time, Ayse said: “I don’t think anyone expected this when we started talking last year. But we’re married and it’s all completely legal and official. I still can’t believe it.”

The pair met online during the pandemic when Ayse joined a Facebook group aimed at pairing pen pals from around the world.

After I got in touch with his ex, she messaged me on Facebook saying, ‘Yes I’m sleeping with your husband, and we’re together’

Ayse Reeves

They began chatting during the first lockdown and officially became a couple in November 2020.

They would fall asleep while video-calling each other so they could feel closer and Ayse had a stuffed toy made in Darrin’s likeness so they could “be together”. 

In May last year Darrin suggested a “special date night”, during which he proposed – after asking her dad’s permission first.

Covid restrictions stopped them meeting in person so they married over Zoom in a legal ceremony officiated in Utah last year.

“My friends and family felt the marriage was rushed, and that we should have waited,” she admitted. 

“I think we just got swept up.”

Divorce party

Friends are planning to throw Ayse a divorce party when her paperwork comes through. 

Ayse explained: “They don’t want to celebrate the wedding and marriage being over, it’s to celebrate getting through it and to move on. 

“I’ve got a tattoo on my forearm of his poetry and I’m planning to get it covered up. 

“When that’s done and the paperwork has been done then I’ll feel like I can have a fresh start.”

The experience has put Ayse off dating and she is happy to remain single for now.

I did try again to make things work as I didn’t want to be 26 with a divorce, but I couldn’t trust him

Ayse Reeves

She said: “I just don’t feel ready. I want to take time to process what happened. It’s really affected me and how I trust people. I just want to enjoy being by myself. 

“Being with Darrin meant I would spend all my time waiting to talk to him and I didn’t have any time for me.

“I don’t want to make him out to be this awful person. I know I wasn’t perfect. We had normal relationship arguments and ups and downs. 

“But I think what hurt the most is that we had overcome so many obstacles to be able to be married.

“I did try again to make things work as I didn’t want to be 26 with a divorce, but I couldn’t trust him.

“I had to put my own feelings first even though he had tried a few times for us to get back together.”

‘Bad place’

Ayse said the break-up left her in a “really bad place” mentally.

“ I was obviously heartbroken,” she explained. “I had planned my life, and put so much into the marriage and making it work, so it felt like my whole world had been pulled from underneath me and I didn’t really know what to do with myself. I felt lost. 

“Six months later I’m in a totally different headspace. I’ve spent the last few months healing, I’m enjoying going on trips away and spending time with friends. 

“I had shut myself away for a while and now I am happy and living my life for myself. I can’t thank my friends and family enough for supporting me. 

“I am sure most people may say they could see it coming, in regards to it not working out, and when I take a step back I can see why they would think that. 

I am sure most people may say they could see it coming, in regards to it not working out, and when I take a step back I can see why they would think that

Ayse Reeves

“But at the time I was in love and wanted to be with this man forever, and I would have done anything to make that happen. 

“I’m a strong believer that everything happens for a reason, and this obviously was not the right path for me.

“I know I’ll meet someone who is right for me, but this time they’ll definitely be in the UK and I won’t be dating anyone online again.”

Darrin confirmed he was now with someone else but said he hoped he and Ayse would remain pals.

He said: “I’m sad to see it end but with the distance it was just too hard and it took a toll. 

“I’m glad we are still friends and I hope she is happy and doing well.

“I have reconnected with my first love and rekindled things so I figured it would be easier for us both this way. 

“She’s an incredible girl so the person she ends up with better be kind! 

“I still love to talk to her when we’re able.”