Kriti Mehrotra
While there’s no denying connections are built upon communication, honesty, trust, and vulnerability, often times reality dating shows completely miss the mark on illustrating the same. However, that’s not at all the case for Netflix’s ‘Love is Blind: UK,’ especially as it features beautiful souls like Maria Benkh and Tom Stroud, whose pure intentions won hearts across the globe. They did have their fair share of personal struggles along the way, yet their determination to always show up for one another in the way they had initially promised ensured they flourished.
Maria and Tom’s Romance Was One For the Books
Since 38-year-old Tom was well aware his past was the reason he hadn’t been able to completely give himself to a relationship previously, he stepped into this experiment a little apprehensive. Little did he know he’d soon come across not one but two women — 30-year-old Maria and 32-year-old Natasha — who’d turn his world upside down by giving him a safe space to be open. But alas, while he appreciated both of them to no extent and knew picking one would break the other’s heart, he had to go with his gut so as to maybe one day attain the ideal life he pictured.
Therefore, Tom chose Maria — he felt fulfilled as well as understood in just her presence through the walls, whereas he simply couldn’t imagine there being a long-term love bond with Natasha. The way this couple could have the deepest of conversations without judgment and made each other laugh at the silliest of jokes was a testimony to their comfort level. Plus, they were able to comprehend the emotional impact of his father’s abandonment as well as her father’s demise on their respective lives, which helped them grow stronger.
Of course, Tom ultimately got down on one knee for Maria while expressing precisely just how much she meant to him before asking her to marry him, to which she blissfully said, “Yes!” Their ensuing face-to-face meeting and their time away in Corfu for a romantic getaway only solidified their connection further by enabling them to explore all of its aspects, which showed them they really are compatible.
They did face their fair share of everyday issues upon returning to the real world, like finance management and cultural clashes, but they were able to resolve them by ensuring they talked – their communication was honestly applaudable. But alas, by the time it came time for them to walk down the aisle, Tom couldn’t help but worry about how they would raise their children in the future with their differences in values, resulting in him saying no to her. In the end, they just couldn’t make things work despite seeming like such a perfect match.
Maria and Tom Aren’t Involved Anymore
While Tom did say no to Maria owing to the differences in some of their core values, it did not wipe away the incredible times they had shared or the respect they had for one another. Yes, she did feel quite insulted as she had never once stated she wished for him to be the sole provider or that she’d raise her daughter under a traditional umbrella, but there was still respect. Therefore, with him admitting he could be judgemental and that she did truly help him see he could be a better version of himself, he is simply thankful for the experience they shared. The fact they follow one another on social media is just proof of their continued admiration for one another, yet it is evident they don’t have any sort of a future together as more than just friends.
Maria Benkh is a Thriving Professional in the Beauty Industry
Although Maria has had to fight a little for her independence since she’s a Southampton, England, native with Moroccan roots, the constant support of her immediate family has made all the difference to her in her world. In fact, that’s arguably what gave her the confidence to pursue her dreams in the health/beauty industry as a Certified Lash Technician and Makeup Artist with a brand of her own. Maria Makiage is actually seemingly doing great in Kingsland, helping the now-rising public figure also pursue her other passion of traveling — whether it be Miami, New York, Morocco, Croatia, or Dubai, she has been everywhere recently.
Tom Stroud is Doing His Best to Juggle His Personal and Professional Lives
While being a Public Relations & Marketing Consultant has allowed Tom to lead a rather luxuriously nomadic lifestyle with frequent traveling and new adventures, he recently realized relationships matter more than anything else in this world. Thus, he has been focusing on his health, his family, his friends, as well as his career in equal proportions these days, all the while also not giving up on the part of him that loves exploring the world plus the diverse cultures it has to offer. He even emotionally commented on the same upon learning of his father’s passing in June 2024, which you can read below.
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