Relatives by marriage but close friends by choice, these locals say they drew the lucky straw when it comes to in-laws.
OURANIA PAUL & TERRENCE SMITH
“Well, he may not be tall, but he’s definitely dark and handsome,” recalls Ourania of her first impressions of future son-in-law Terrence.
“I was a little nervous to meet him because I knew from the way Christina was talking he was going to be ‘the one’.”
Terrence was nervous too… about pronouncing Ourania’s name correctly — it’s pronounced O-ra-nia — but he needn’t have worried as he nailed it.
Terrence and Christina met on a Contiki tour of New Zealand and, deciding it was true love, Terrence moved to Townsville for her. The couple now live in Idalia with their three-year-old son, Sonny.
“My own mother lives in country Victoria, which is tough, so I’m grateful to get along so well with my mother-in-law,” says 30-year-old Terrence, who is an electrician.
“She’s one of the most kind-hearted people I’ve ever met.”
When the time came for Terrence to propose to Christina, he was keen to get Ourania in on the action.
“I wanted her and our son to be there with us for it so, during a seafood dinner overlooking the marina from my mother-in-law’s balcony, I got down on one knee…,” Terrence says.
“I had to propose almost straight away as you couldn’t wipe the smile off Ourania’s face and I was afraid she’d give it away.”
Ourania says she started crying when Terrence told her about his proposal plans.
“I felt so proud and honoured to be included,” Ourania says.
“Knowing that my daughter will be well taken care of by Terrence, who absolutely adores her and their son, makes me very happy. He’s such a lovely person. He even sits and waits patiently for Christina to get ready when she’s running an hour late!”