LOVE LONG DISTANCE
Julie Leonard (50), lives in Munich with her fiancé Cristiano (46) and their son Leonardo (6). Ten years ago she was single, living in
Scotland and working in mental health. Finding love has led to having a child, moving country and starting a new career.
“I was single for a while and like many women, I dated several guys but nothing ever worked out. At 40 I was considering I may not have children or meet someone, then one month before my 41st birthday I met him! My best friend had been invited to a wedding in Romania and asked me to be her plus-one and to make a holiday of it. In Romania I met Cristiano, an Italian living in Germany. After the wedding, we met a couple of times while I was in Europe, then started a long-distance relationship – 18 months later I moved to Munich.
“I was ready for a change but it was still a lot to give up my career, friends and family. I’d never lived anywhere but Scotland. I knew that a relationship wasn’t the sole thing to make me happy, as I was already a happy person with a good life.
“Moving to Germany was scary and exciting. As a life coach, I didn’t move and just hope that it would all work out – I had clear goals and was very proactive in setting up my new life. It’s been challenging but I believe that my experience has also increased my confidence.
“I was 42 when I left Scotland. We wanted to see if we could have a child, which was the biggest commitment we could make to each other. I got pregnant and had my son at 43. It’s not always easy being an expat mum but I love being a mum and think I’m more relaxed and better equipped as a mum at 50 than if I’d had him in my 20s.
“I also run my own life coaching business www.julieleonardcoaching.com and support women all over the world to change their thinking and take control of their lives in order to be truly happy. I have a good work/ life balance. On my 50th birthday Cristiano proposed to me and we’ll get married on June 2, 2022 – exactly 10 years from the day that we met at the wedding in Romania.”