Everyday is Valentine’s Day: Deren & Zeyneb

How did it all begin for you?

The sound of music in the form of a Greek song uploaded on a singing app by Deren struck a chord within Zeyneb and – BOOM!! – their harmonious love story began… Having met online, they got together four months later when Deren travelled from London to Australia to meet Zeyneb and her daughter.

How did your relationship develop?

From a virtual, online relationship which began in August 2015, the pair met physically on the 26th of December 2015.

Zeyneb recalls the excitement of seeing businesswoman Deren for the first time, saying, “ I was trying to actually prepare some food, then from the excitement, I couldn’t even prepare the food and all I can think about is my heart was just, like, pumping out of my body!”

What would your partner say that she loves most about you?

As they reflect on their happiness at being together, the couple agree it is hard to choose just one thing they love about each other – their relationship is that good!!

Describe your favourite memory of your life together so far…

Apart from being able to be together in the same country and constantly “adding memories to our future together,” the couple say another major benefit of being together physically is that “every moment is special in its own way!”

What was your biggest worry when applying for the Partner Visa?

With Deren on her third visit to Australia and after initially fearing she would be denied re-entry at the border, she is thankful for the support they have received; “… but when we came, thanks to Freedom Migration, they made everything very smooth and we had no worries. To be honest with you… every step was perfect. They made us feel so comfortable!”

What is life together now?

Another major benefit of being together physically is no longer having to sleep with earplugs and phones on to stay connected via FaceTime!

“We would sleep with that until morning, so when you check our call history, you see 13 hours of calls!!” Zeyneb remembers with a smile, “Now, the difference is that we don’t need to do that! We can be together physically and just share every little moment; it doesn’t have to be through a video or through a camera or something, it’s very precious, every moment!”

Confident that they have done everything they can to convince the Department of Home Affairs of their case for a Visa, the couple waited for their Visa to be granted and sure enough, it was a speedy grant! (10 days after we made the video, in fact.)

And so, to Deren and Zeyneb, we at Freedom Migration say, “Thank you so much for trusting and including us in your exciting Partner Visa journey and a big big big CONGRATULATIONS on your wedding day!”