For comedian and writer Mel McGlensey, navigating the New York City dating scene in her early twenties felt like a relentless test of endurance. Working as a journalist by day and performing stand-up by night, she found her romantic prospects dishearteningly low. That was until a man named Douglas reset her expectations entirely.
A Revelation in Common Decency
Their first date in 2015 stood in stark contrast to her usual experiences. Instead of an evening filled with awkward silences or self-absorbed monologues, Mel found herself engaged in genuine conversation. She talked freely about her opinions and aspirations, nursing a single cocktail rather than relying on liquid courage to see the night through. Doug's attentive nature and fundamental kindness felt revolutionary. So impactful was the encounter that Mel phoned her mother on her journey home to enthusiastically describe the remarkable man she had just met.
The Moment of Certainty and a Cross-Continental Curveball
Weeks later, their second date sealed her fate. After a perfect evening in Brooklyn Bridge Park featuring Italian food, ice cream, and political debate, Doug kissed her on a crisp autumn night. In that instant, a clear, unbidden thought struck Mel: "You're kissing the man you're going to marry." She documented this powerful intuition in her journal that same night, despite not consciously seeking a husband.
The fledgling relationship progressed swiftly, but faced a sudden upheaval just weeks later. During a dinner at a dumpling restaurant in Williamsburg, Doug revealed he had been offered a job in Melbourne, Australia. Devastated, Mel cried all the way home. Consulting her hopelessly romantic mother, she received unequivocal advice: "I guess you're going to Australia."
A Global Pursuit and a Hard-Won Happy Ending
Leveraging pre-existing, half-serious plans to backpack, Mel initially followed Doug to Sydney on a work-holiday visa, later moving to Melbourne. This transglobal pursuit initially alarmed Doug, who saw it as a potential red flag. He attempted to keep the relationship casual, creating a challenging dynamic far removed from a cinematic rom-com.
The tide turned as Mel prepared to return to graduate school in Chicago. Doug's trepidation faded, and he acknowledged his deep feelings. Their heartfelt farewell in Melbourne was followed by a poignant long-distance relationship, sustained for two arduous years across continents. A carefully crafted playlist sent by Doug during a stopover in Thailand confirmed for Mel that their story was enduring.
Mel eventually moved back to Melbourne, where the couple endured the Covid-19 lockdowns together. Doug's unwavering support became her anchor during a period of career stagnation and depression, even extending to allowing her to fill their guest room with foster kittens. In 2022, Doug proposed on the beach at Inverloch with a sapphire matching the ocean's hue.
The night before their 2023 wedding in California, Mel shared the journal entry from their second date with Doug for the very first time. Now building a life together in Melbourne, Mel reflects daily on the gratitude she feels for having followed her heart across the world, not once, but twice.
