MAIN INFORMATION
Antonio Cruz, Portugal.
Mary Barros, Brazil.
Mary and Antonio met in 2019 while Mary was vacationing in Portugal. “It was love at first sight,” says Mary. They spent three days together and have been a couple ever since. They each travelled to the other’s respective country to meet friends and family.
However, in March 2020, they were indefinitely separated by Covid-19.
They are currently 7,363 km apart.
Mary Barros, Brazil.
Mary and Antonio met in 2019 while Mary was vacationing in Portugal. “It was love at first sight,” says Mary. They spent three days together and have been a couple ever since. They each travelled to the other’s respective country to meet friends and family.
However, in March 2020, they were indefinitely separated by Covid-19.
They are currently 7,363 km apart.
STORY OF SEPARATION
Mary and Antonio’s relationship was largely virtual from the get-go. They met in Portugal, where Antonio lives, while Mary visited her sister and spent three beautiful days together. “I didn’t want to leave,” says Mary, “we were scared we would never see each other again.” The pair decided to date at long distance and later that year reunited in person in the US, where Mary was travelling for a wedding.
Mary returned to Portugal to meet Antonio’s friends and family, and, in March 2020, Antonio flew to Brazil to do the same. The pair were planning for Mary to move to Portugal that July. However, then Covid-19 hit. “He returned to Portugal the day before the country closed the borders to Brazilians,” remembers Mary. The couple were separated indefinitely.
Mary returned to Portugal to meet Antonio’s friends and family, and, in March 2020, Antonio flew to Brazil to do the same. The pair were planning for Mary to move to Portugal that July. However, then Covid-19 hit. “He returned to Portugal the day before the country closed the borders to Brazilians,” remembers Mary. The couple were separated indefinitely.
“And to say that they don’t have a level of commitment that is as meaningful or as real as a married couple who can go to Las Vegas and get married on the spur of the moment is something I disagree with. What these binational couples are willing to go through is a testament to their commitment.”
Krishni Metivier, Love Is Not Tourism Campaigner
“And to say that they don’t have a level of commitment that is as meaningful or as real as a married couple who can go to Las Vegas and get married on the spur of the moment is something I disagree with. What these binational couples are willing to go through is a testament to their commitment.””
Krishni Metivier, Love Is Not Tourism Campaigner
TIME APART
“It’s been tough. It’s been a challenge,” says Mary of the uncertainty. Despite the distance between them, before Covid-19, the knowledge they would see each other comforted the couple. Losing that was difficult. It put both their lives on pause. Mary felt unable to accept new job proposals that could frustrate her attempts to reunite with Antonio. “My life is stuck, and he is waiting for me,” she says.
The situation also strained their relationship. The lack of physicality was a struggle. “The presence of the other person, touch, is important in a relationship,” says Antonio. “When something happens, I want to tell Mary in person, but I’ve learnt I have to call her.” Despite everything working against them, the couple remained determined to make their relationship work. “It requires a lot of love,” says Mary. “We watch movies together and, occasionally, we sleep on the phone. We are trying to grow despite the situation.”
The situation also strained their relationship. The lack of physicality was a struggle. “The presence of the other person, touch, is important in a relationship,” says Antonio. “When something happens, I want to tell Mary in person, but I’ve learnt I have to call her.” Despite everything working against them, the couple remained determined to make their relationship work. “It requires a lot of love,” says Mary. “We watch movies together and, occasionally, we sleep on the phone. We are trying to grow despite the situation.”
“I think it is a challenge, and it’s a lot of patience too. This requires a lot of love, so we are growing as a couple and we are trying to understand each other, because even though we are not together, we are trying to see each other everytime we can. We watch movies together, sometimes we sleep together, so we are trying to understand how the situation can make us grow as a couple.”
Mary Barros
“I think it is a challenge, and it’s a lot of patience too. This requires a lot of love, so we are growing as a couple and we are trying to understand each other, because even though we are not together, we are trying to see each other everytime we can. We watch movies together, sometimes we sleep together, so we are trying to understand how the situation can make us grow as a couple."
Mary Barros
