- I met Sarah online over 20 years ago and later learned that Olivia Newton-John was her sister.
- Olivia was incredibly easy to get along with as she often hung out with me and my partner.
- Sarah and I finally got married and I wish Olivia, who has passed away, could have been there.
I met Sarah online 22 years ago.
When we started talking, I quickly realized that we shared similar values. We both loved books, so we clicked right away. I also liked her warm smile and green eyes. She seemed kind and intelligent, which I later found to be true.
I didn't realize her famous last name until we'd been exchanging emails for over a week, and that's when I realized I was in love with Olivia Newton-John's sister.
Joining Sarah's famous family was surprisingly easy for me
From the moment we met, Sarah was strong in her own identity and didn't rely on her sister's celebrity. Sarah carved out her own life, and I respected that from the beginning. She never dared to seek the spotlight, and she always carried herself with grace. So I followed her lead and let my relationship with Olivia develop naturally.
After about two years of dating, I met Olivia, she immediately made me feel welcome and we grew to respect each other.
I had the opportunity to learn more about Sarah's sister's personal life and quickly discovered she was a down-to-earth, intelligent and interesting woman with a mischievous sense of humor.
Olivia loved spending time with us, whether it was in our garden in Spain or dropping by our little apartment in Sydney for quiet dinners around the kitchen table, often with a bottle of Grey Goose vodka in hand.
Of course, Sarah was at the center of our relationship with Olivia, but it was easy to find my place within that circle.
My easy-going personality has helped me to adapt and be myself during all the glamorous events that have followed since Sarah and I started dating. Over the years, we've attended exclusive concerts, award ceremonies and charity gala nights, rubbed shoulders with A-list celebrities and been photographed on the red carpet several times.
I've met some celebrities, most of whom were fascinating people, and some have said they wished they'd been closer to Olivia as friends, but my primary relationship is with Sarah, so I stay grounded in my identity and our relationship.
But I won't pretend I didn't have my “Wow” moments. I've occasionally texted my best friend, “I can't believe where I am!”
However, I have always respected my family's privacy as well as my own.
Sarah and I became local celebrities thanks to Olivia.
In July 2019, Olivia, her husband, Sarah's family, and two mutual friends visited our home in northern Spain. We already stood out as foreigners in the village where we had been living happily for six years. But this visit brought us attention, and we have been treated a little differently ever since.
We had lunch in a café in a small village square, and suddenly everyone started talking. They were polite and respected our privacy, but there was some hustle and bustle and photography. It's not every day that an international superstar enjoys a meal in a square.. Afterwards, reporters from local TV stations and newspapers came to the event, where they were interviewed, photographed, and featured in the news.
When Olivia passes away in 2022, our Council Secretariat will hold a special memorial service and hold a memorial service entitled 'Grease“ Seeing Olivia on the outdoor screen in the village square, the villagers were proud that Olivia had come and loved her so much. The mayor gave a speech and presented Sarah with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. People still stop to say hello to us in the street, in the shop and in the cafe. Some even come up to us and offer heartfelt congratulations.
That's the power of knowing Olivia.
Sarah and I are finally married – with Olivia in our hearts
After many years of dating, Sarah and I finally got married in May. Three of our friends were our official witnesses. We then had a lunch party at our favorite restaurant. It was low-key, low-key, and fun.
I wish Olivia could have been there to celebrate our love with us.
Although Olivia has been a big part of our lives for a long time, Sarah and I believe the reason we are loved and accepted locally is because of our attitude towards others, not because of who Sarah is related to – and we hope the lovely people who welcomed us would agree.
