In the mid-1980s, at Turramurra High School in Sydney, Gabby Amadio and Russell were inseparable best friends. Their bond was platonic, though Gabby admits she was "probably in love with him at some point." They shared cultural outings with Gabby's mother, Nadine, an author and arts editor for the Financial Review, attending the opera, ballet, and theatre together. Russell was a frequent visitor to their home, a converted church, often offering to help with household tasks.
A Friendship Interrupted by Life's Paths
After leaving school in 1984, their lives diverged. Gabby pursued art studies, while Russell completed high school and studied mechanical engineering. They maintained occasional contact, with Gabby dropping by the servo at Pennant Hills where Russell worked. However, by 1991, Gabby had moved to Cairns with her then-boyfriend, whom she later married, and the two friends gradually lost touch.
Decades of Challenges and Healing
The following years brought significant hardships for Gabby. Her marriage ended in 2003, and she moved with her ailing mother to Lemon Tree Passage near Nelson Bay. In her late 30s, she faced the heartbreak of failed IVF attempts to conceive, followed by a split from a new partner and the responsibility of caring for her mother until her passing in 2009. The next decade was tough, but by 2020, Gabby was ready for a fresh start, selling her home to buy a caravan. The Covid lockdowns unexpectedly provided a period of healing, as she immersed herself in jewellery-making, painting, swimming, and enjoying solitude with her dogs, planning to remain single.
The Search and Surprising Reconnection
Despite her contentment, Gabby found herself dreaming of Russell and wondering about his whereabouts. She attempted to find him on Facebook, sending a friend request to someone with his name, only to be told, "I'm not the Russell you're looking for." Then, in June 2025, a message arrived out of the blue from another Russell, asking, "Are you the Gabby who used to live in the church in Turramurra?"
Rekindling a Bond Across Distance
Russell was living in Adelaide, and their first phone call lasted three hours, instantly erasing the 40-year gap. They began talking nightly, reminiscing about school, childhood memories, and shared experiences with Gabby's mother. Russell, whose first marriage had ended years prior, quickly expressed romantic interest, though Gabby was initially reticent. Within two months, he bought her a plane ticket to visit him in Adelaide.
During the visit, Russell took Gabby to a beautiful oceanfront restaurant, where she felt safe and calm, describing it as "like coming home." Their connection deepened, and they decided to pursue a long-distance relationship. Gabby had purchased an old church in Mount Russell, New South Wales, and was planning renovations. When Russell, a project manager, insisted on helping, saying, "He told me my mum would have wanted him to help, so he would," Gabby realized she was in love.
A Proposal and Future Plans
In October, they attended their 40-year school reunion in Sydney, surprising everyone by arriving as a couple. During a road trip to Port Stephens beforehand, Russell proposed over dinner. Gabby, who never expected to find love again at this stage in life, now eagerly anticipates their future together. They travel to see each other every few weeks, complemented by long phone calls, and Gabby cherishes his mind and curious nature.
While wedding plans are still uncertain, Gabby has already bought a beautiful Camilla dress for the occasion, confident that her mother would be overjoyed. Their story is a testament to enduring connections and the unexpected joys of later-life romance.
