Couple with the Same Birthday and Birthplace Gets Married

Category: Human Interest

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. tie the knot / taɪ ðə nɒt / (idiom) – to get married
    Example:

    The couple decided to tie the knot after being engaged for two years.


  2. newlywed / ˈnu liˌwɛd / (n) – a person who just got married
    Example:

    The newlyweds moved into their new apartment.


  3. break the news / breɪk ðə nyuz / (idiom) – to share a piece of information
    Example:

    The teacher broke the news about the plans for a new policy to her students.


  4. gear up / gɪər ʌp / (phrasal) – to prepare for an activity
    Example:

    I am gearing up for my cousin’s wedding.


  5. lose touch / luz tʌtʃ / (idiom) – to lose contact with another person
    Example:

    I have lost touch with most of my classmates from high school.


Article

Read the text below.

A couple born on the same day at the same hospital got married 27 years later.


Aaron Bairos and Jessica Gomes tied the knot on September 9 after being together for nine years. The two were both born on April 28, 1990, at Morton Hospital in Taunton, Massachusetts /ˌmæs əˈtʃu sɪts /. According to a local newspaper’s birth announcements, they were the only babies born in that hospital on the said day.


The newlyweds shared that they learned about their same birth date through their learner’s permit at a driver’s education class. When they broke the news to their mothers, the two women confirmed that they remembered greeting each other at the hospital.


Despite being born in the same place, the two did not grow up in the same community. Bairos was raised in Taunton, while Gomes first lived in Raynham before moving to Taunton. The couple met in 2007 through common friends and started dating as teenagers. Since then, they have celebrated their birthday with their families and friends who witnessed how their relationship developed.


Gomes said that they are still gearing up for the married life, but they are hopeful that their story can brighten someone’s day.


Meanwhile, a couple also born on the same day in Gloucestershire / ˈglɒs tərˌʃɪər, -ʃər /, England, got married. Alison Blackwell and James Hodges were both born at the Berkeley Hospital on February 3, 1967. They were classmates in primary school but lost touch after James transferred to another school when they were eight years old. The two reconnected online before arranging a meet-up in 2012. Since then, they have been together. Four years later, they decided to get married after celebrating their 50th birthdays.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Do you find the two couples’ stories inspiring? Why or why not?
• Do you usually look for something you have in common with other people? Why?

Discussion B

• What are the pros and cons of having something in common with other people? Explain.
• Some people believe that opposites attract. Do you agree?