Valentine’s Day is the one day of the year where florists are booming with business and supermarkets bring out their best blooms and seasonal sweet treats to accommodate all those who want to spoil that special person in their lives.
This year, The Greek Herald decided to speak with two Greek Australian couples from across the nation to ask them how they met, how long they’ve been together and how they embrace their love on Valentine’s Day.
Juliana and Elias
Who are you and where are you from?
“We are Juliana and Elias Psomas, and we’re from Sydney, Australia,” Juliana told The Greek Herald.
The newlyweds both come from a mixture of islands and mainland in Greece, with Juliana’s family coming from Kalamata, Samos and Lesvos, and Elias’ from Lemnos and Farkadonna.
How did you both meet?
“We had added each other on Instagram. But it wasn’t really until two years later that we met, after I noticed him driving in front of me in traffic one day with his red Holden. I then decided to send him a DM (direct message),” the 30-year-old newlywed said.
“Our first date took place a week later at Kafeini in Ramsgate, and we’ve been pretty much inseparable ever since.”
How long have you been together?
“We’ve been together for just over four years now,” Juliana said.
“Two weeks into dating, he had asked me to be his girlfriend. Two weeks after that, he told me he loved me, and a year and a half later, he proposed in Disneyland in 2022. We just married last year in Lemnos in July.”
What does Valentine’s Day mean to you?
“We believe in loving and appreciating each other every day, and we do like to be romantic as well,” Juliana said.
“Elia especially, always has small romantic gestures like leaving notes for me sometimes before I go to work and small things like that, and it just make me feel loved every day. But I think Valentine’s Day is just an amplification of all of that, and it’s a day to celebrate all kinds of love.”
“For me, every day feels like Valentine’s Day, because I get to wake up next to the most beautiful, amazing woman in the world,” Elias said.
“February 14th is a day set aside to celebrate love, but for me, it’s a chance to express my love and gratitude to my wife, the one person who makes my world brighter and my life better.”
What will you be doing to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year?
“Growing up, my mum used to give my sisters and I roses and chocolates pretty much our whole lives for Valentine’s Day, until we had Valentines of our own,” Juliana said.
“This year, Elia and I will be going for coffee in the morning at the place we had our first date, Kafeini, which is what we do every year. We also do that for our anniversary. Then we’re probably going to go for a nice dinner at night.”
“For Valentine’s Day, even though we’ll both be working, I want to make the morning special by waking up early, making Julz a cup of Greek coffee, and sitting together on the couch, chatting about our dream holidays, whether it’s a getaway to Greece or a fun adventure in Disneyland,” Elias said.
“After work, I’ve planned a beautiful dinner to enjoy together, where I’ll surprise her with a meaningful gift that shows how much she means to me. To end the night, I’ll give her a massage to help her unwind, and we’ll wrap it all up by spending some quality time, just the two of us, savouring every moment.”
Stella and John
Who are you and where are you from?
“I am Stella Voudouris and my husband’s name is John Voudouris and we are both born and raised in Canberra,” Stella told The Greek Herald.
Stella’s parents are from Loutraki and Giannitsa in Greece, and John’s parents are from Sparti and Cyprus.
How did you both meet?
“I met John at school in college when I was in year 12 in 1991. We started dating soon after we met. There was instant spark and connection between us,” Stella said.
“We dated for 7 years, before we got married on Valentine’s Day in 1998. It’s not very often that Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday, and we both thought it was the perfect day for us to get married.”
How long have you been together?
“We have been together for 34 years and will be married for 27 years this coming Valentine’s Day,” Stella said.
What does Valentine’s Day mean to you?
“Valentine’s day to me means to be grateful for all the love that I receive from my family, friends and the people that we have in my life,” Stella said.
“Our wedding anniversary makes it extra special as John and I celebrate each other and what we have achieved in lives.”
“Prior to Valentine’s Day being our wedding anniversary, I would have considered Valentine’s Day to hold the same value as Mother’s Day or Father’s Day – a day where a person that has value in your life is celebrated,” John said.
“However, considering that it is our anniversary, it holds deeper value as I celebrate our commitment and progress as a couple and a family.”
What will you be doing to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year?
“Our four children are the best gift we have ever received. We usually celebrate Valentine’s Day all together, whether we have a feast at home or go out for dinner, and this year will be no different,” Stella said.
“Now that our children are older, we also have new additions to add to our Valentine’s Day love. Our celebrations are held much earlier these days, and the kids go out after.”
