Last year, 35 new families were officially formed at Metinvest's assets in Kryvyi Rih. The prolonged war could not make people forget what matters most – the desire for family happiness and love. At large city-forming enterprises, people quite often find their destiny right at work, just as happened with our colleagues from Metinvest in Kryvyi Rih.

A workplace love story that keeps going

"That day I was sitting at my desk, thinking about how nice it would be to get a driving licence and take some self-development courses while observing my colleagues. In our department, all the women were unmarried. On Valentine's Day during lunch break, they were scrolling through Instagram, sadly looking at the gifts that other girls received from their loved ones. Suddenly, an unexpected call, a large package with a secret, and a confession after which everything took off," recalls Anastasiia PETELKA.

In reality, Andrii took a thorough approach to preparing the surprise. He ordered a large bouquet that came in an even larger box. He added sweets and, of course, a Valentine's card. He wrote nothing – he said everything face-to-face. He did this for the sake of discretion, to avoid prying eyes and workplace gossip.

"For me, office romances, especially with colleagues who work with you in related departments, were always taboo. But you cannot outsmart fate. At first, we managed to hide our relationship, but after a couple of months, colleagues began to suspect we were together. Our workmates 'married us' even before we realised things were serious between us. But we are happy it happened this way because we are kindred spirits and complement each other well," says Andrii PETELKA.

Nineteen months passed between the sensible couple's first date and wedding. They are currently happy together. They live their lives, enjoying quality films and their hobbies after work. Anastasiia taught her beloved to crochet, and now she has a warm, handmade scarf from Andrii. And he, taking into account his wife's engineering mindset, crafted a massive shelf covering half a wall for her beloved orchids. The newlyweds very much want to see the world - free and beautiful. Today they dream only of peace, saying that once it comes, they will manage everything else themselves.

Bound in secrecy

In the story of the newly formed Kushnirenko family from Northern Iron Ore, Iryna's friend and colleague Ksenia played a significant role. It was she who told the girl that in the same building where they worked, there was a handsome, unmarried electrician named Dmytro. For some time, the young people followed different routes, until one day Iryna and her colleague went downstairs on business and there she first saw her future husband. Social networks helped the friends find at least some information about Dmytro. Then everything followed a tried-and-tested algorithm: they messaged each other, went for coffee, then again, and it began... Iryna, who works as a chemical analysis laboratory assistant, immediately felt there was chemistry between them.

"It is so strange when you see a person for the first time, yet feel as if we have known each other for many years. When you feel calm and comfortable, when it easy to talk about various topics, to laugh, when you enjoy their presence and therefore want to see them more and more often. Most importantly, with him, I can be myself, and he is who he truly is," shares Iryna KUSHNIRENKO.

Seven months after starting their relationship, Dmytro found the courage to propose to his beloved. The couple went to a restaurant, placed their order, and then the young man apologised, saying he needed to step away for a moment. Dmytro returned with a bouquet of roses and a ring, and Iryna agreed to become his wife.

"Before the wedding, external circumstances 'arranged' a test of the strength of our decision, as if deliberately. We were only able to submit our application to the registry office on the third attempt. Either power outages interfered, or air raid sirens during which the institution closed. But eventually, we did it," recalls Iryna.

The young couple got married on a beautiful date – 8 August 2024. They believe they were brought together by Northern Iron Ore and love. And only their friend Ksenia truly knows who pushed these two towards happiness.

Under the wing of the dearest

In June 2024, Natalia and Vladyslav Karpets became a married couple. Before their wedding, they had already known each other for over six years, but most of that time was spent in purely professional relationships. Natalia worked as a crane operator at the crushing factory of Ingulets Iron Ore, and Vladyslav was in Metinvest-Promservice division, which serviced, among other thing, the plant's crushing equipment. At that time, both were in relationships, so there was no question of courtship. The attraction developed later, during the war. There was a period when she has temporarily engaged in guarding the crushing factory, and he was a foreman there. By that time, changes had occurred in their personal lives, and each was looking for a partner. They started by messaging on social networks, then dates, a surge of feelings, and eventually living together.

"We were both satisfied with how we moved through life together. But last year I lost a very important person - my grandmother. Her name, like mine, was Natalia. She worked all her life in the village of Andriivka, where I am from. She and my grandfather raised me from childhood. Grandfather passed away earlier, and now grandmother has gone too. During this difficult period for me, Vladyslav felt my pain and took me under his wing. He proposed marriage to me. I agreed because my husband is reliable. With him, it is like being behind a stone wall - no winds are frightening," shares Natalia KARPETS.

Currently, Natalia has transferred to the service department of Ingulets Iron Ore, where she works in her main profession. Together with her husband, she most desires a swift return to peaceful life in Ukraine, and with it, simple human joys. She dreams of a strong family with children, family fishing trips and a journey to the Carpathians, where she has never been before.