Valentine’s Day: "How I met my future husband in the RAF"

To mark Valentine’s Day this year, we spoke with former RAF Policewoman Ann Hughes about how she found love in the RAF.

Ann Hughes joined the RAF in 1990, landing her dream job as an RAF Policewoman, with positions including guarding nuclear weapons, counter intelligence and being part of the drugs squad. After a busy shift while serving in the Shetland Islands one evening in May 1997, Ann went to the NAAFI bar at RAF Saxa Ford, where, unbeknown to her, she would meet a man who would change her life forever.

Ann said: "There was definitely a spark between Mick, an RAF Firefighter, and I when we met. Apart from the initial attraction, we enjoyed each other’s company. We both have a similar sense of humour, love music and our family backgrounds were very alike."

Although they met in the RAF, they didn’t serve for long together, as Mick had nearly completed his 12 year service. However just before he finished, he joined Ann at RAF Rheindalen in Germany, and the couple got married back home in Shropshire before travelling back to station.

Ann said: "The biggest highlight of our relationship was the birth of our daughter Lauren whilst we were in Germany. It was a wonderful time. Mick is a fantastic father and looked after Lauren whilst I continued my career in the RAF. It could be challenging at times as my job meant I was away from home a lot. It was very tough when I was deployed to Iraq when Lauren was only five years old. Our shared attitude of positivity and humour helped us through - that and the love of our daughter and each other."

Life took a turn for the family however, when Ann was diagnosed with secondary progressive MS, which led to her being medically discharged from the RAF as her condition deteriorated.

Explaining the impact this had on her family, Ann said: "Whilst they were very dark, frightening days, we always managed to laugh at something. Together, Mick and Lauren loved and supported me through everything."

As well as having her family at her side, the Fund was there to support Ann following her diagnosis, which enabled the couple’s relationship to flourish even further. "The RAF Benevolent Fund has helped our relationship so much since my diagnosis." She added: "The support provided, including housing and mobility assistance, as well as two breaks with the Disabled Holiday Trust, took away many of the worries we had about our future life when I was medically discharged. This enabled us to concentrate on family and continue to approach obstacles together with our usual humour."

Talking about what she loves the most about Mick this Valentine’s Day, Ann said "I love Mick because he is kind, funny, honest and is a wonderful dad. He also has lovely blue eyes! Mick says he loves me because I make him laugh and I am his best friend. I’m so grateful for that pivotal night where we met in the RAF, and to be able to do life together with our wonderful daughter Lauren."