Rugby player Ben Foden has tied the knot after a fortnight’s courtship. But stress-testing a relationship is more common and can pay dividends
Earlier this week, former
England rugby union player Ben Foden announced that he had married his girlfriend, entrepreneur Jackie Belanoff-Smith, after just two weeks of dating. In a heartfelt
Instagram post, showing pictures of the couple beaming on a boat at sunset, Foden gushed about his love for Belanoff-Smith. “People will say we are mad or crazy or even fools ... But when someone like her comes in to your life, why would I wait?” Foden also thanked his ex-wife, singer Una Healy of the Saturdays – with whom he has two children – for giving the union her blessing. This last year has been by far my toughest and most turbulent for a number of reasons that many of you I’m sure are aware of, in some way or another. The world has a funny way of working things out, many people think I’m a bad person - as I’m sure they’ll be many nasty comments left under this post by keyboard warriors a plenty. But I met a girl who seriously swept me off my feet and in a time of hardship showed me love, a deep devoted love. People will say we are mad or crazy or even fools, as @snackyjax and I had only been dating seriously for a little over 2 weeks before deciding to get married. But when someone like her comes in to your life, why would I wait? ♂️ The people who needed to know, such as close family and friends were told before anyone else and they are happy for me including my beautiful X wife @unahealy who I love even more for her blessing. Life is short and you only get one and it’s worth living. Jackie is the greatest human being I’ve ever come across - she’s beautiful inside and out, intelligent, charming, funny, generous, kind, gentle, energetic the list goes on. She will be a great step mum to Aoife and Tadhg and offers me a future I can’t wait to explore with her. My heart is full and I honestly couldn’t be happier, so those that want to bring negativity or try and tear me down go ahead. My life is great and I hope you all will one day feel happiness like i feel while I write this caption. I love you @snackyjax I can’t wait to see where our lives lead together you brought excitement and joy to my life and I couldn’t be prouder having stand at my side as Mrs Foden. (BTW the witness is Jackie’s sister @leila.bela thanks you too hun for being a legend) #Love