Additional Coverage:
- After 24 hours of getting to know each other, I convinced my now-wife to come to Australia with me. We’ve been together for 11 years. (businessinsider.com)
Texas to Australia: A Love Story Spanning 9,000 Miles
Love knows no distance, as proven by one couple’s journey from Texas to Australia. It all started with a whirlwind romance.
During a 2014 business trip to Texas, the author met Cecilia at a music video shoot. Just 24 hours later, she was on a plane to Australia to meet his eight-year-old twins.
Less than a year later, Cecilia bravely packed her life and moved 9,000 miles across the globe to be with him.
Becoming a stepmother wasn’t in Cecilia’s plans, but she embraced the role wholeheartedly. The twins were thrilled to have a stepmom and cultural ambassador, introducing them to the joys of Tex-Mex cuisine, American sports, and their new favorite NBA team, the San Antonio Spurs.
Being an only child, the distance from her family has been challenging. Though initially concerned, her parents have been incredibly supportive.
Daily group chats, filled with everything from morning coffee pictures to major life updates, keep them connected. Annual month-long Christmas trips back to Texas have become a cherished tradition, complete with a dedicated guesthouse built by Cecilia’s parents and a pre-packed suitcase to ease the travel burden.
However, the distance has meant tough choices. Cecilia has had to miss weddings, birthdays, and other important events.
While some Texas friends have made the trek to Australia, the most significant arrival was a college friend who relocated nearby, providing a much-needed link to home. In 2023, Cecilia’s mother finally made the trip, and the couple is working on luring her golf-loving father with promises of Australian courses.
Maintaining traditions has been crucial. Annual “Friendsgiving” celebrations introduce their Australian friends to American customs, with Cecilia recreating family recipes like her mother’s jalapeño cornbread.
These gatherings blend cultures and create new shared experiences. Even technology plays a role, connecting Cecilia’s young cousin and the author in a lively NBA-themed group chat.
When the twins took up golf, Cecilia’s father became their long-distance coach, offering tips via FaceTime and tracking their progress through an app.
The author has learned the importance of both planning and spontaneity. A surprise trip home for Cecilia’s 40th birthday highlighted his commitment to making the distance work.
Eleven years after their journey began, their story is a testament to love’s ability to bridge any distance, through creativity, technology, and unwavering dedication. They may not be able to shrink the 9,000 miles, but they’ve certainly made it feel a lot smaller.