Perhaps if Ladell Sanders hadn’t been bored that day in August 2023, he might’ve archived the suspected spam message that dropped into his inbox from an Australian woman whose attention was captured by his ‘beautiful smile’ in his profile picture without responding.
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Shepparton teacher Tammy Sanders once lived in the United States during her college days, so the thought of dating an American who lived in America later in life probably didn’t seem as wild to her as it might to someone else.
A celebrant on weekends, Tammy hit send on the message on her way out the door to officiate a wedding in Cobram that day.
When Ladell answered her message, the first chapter of their love story was written.
The pair immediately had a WhatsApp call that lasted Tammy’s entire hour-long drive to her destination.
The next morning, Ladell video-called her.
“I was in bed, just woken up, no make-up, hair everywhere,” Tammy said.
She answered anyway, to avoid feeding Ladell’s catfish suspicions.
“There wasn’t a day after that we didn’t talk,” she said.
Soon after, Tammy made her way to the U.S. to meet Ladell in person.
She had jokingly questioned a fellow traveller on a flight between Dallas and San Antonio whether she should high-five Ladell when they were discussing ways she could greet him.
They traded that exchange for an embrace, but the iconic high-five did eventually happen during a significant moment later on.
“I felt like we already knew each other before we met in person,” Tammy said.
Ladell took Tammy to Buffalo Wild Wings in Texas for their first date, knowing his future bride was a fan of hot wings.
When Tammy returned to Australia a week later, Ladell joined her.
He stayed for two weeks before returning to the US and thinking hard about a future with Tammy.
He bought a ring with three impressive stones to represent Tammy and her two daughters and FedExed it down under, tracking the parcel the whole way.
When it got close to Tammy’s Shepparton address, he video-called her and kept her on the phone until the package arrived, asking her to marry him when she opened it.
Tammy was shocked.
“She wouldn’t put the ring on; she wouldn’t touch it,” Ladell said.
“It was too pretty, I’d never had anything that nice,” Tammy explained.
Despite the mutual feelings, Tammy’s answer wasn’t an instant yes.
She asked Ladell to get her dad’s blessing first.
Continuing their relationship’s technological theme, Ladell emailed his future father-in-law, who gave him the nod under one condition: that the pair give their engagement at least 12 months before signing on the dotted line.
They gave him a bonus three.
After around 10 visits between the two countries, where it got harder for the lovebirds to say goodbye each time, Ladell made a permanent move across the oceans to Australia about eight months ago.
Fifteen months after the ring had arrived at the home they now both share, Tammy and Ladell were married on the rooftop at Mentone Lifesaving Club just before the sun set on April 12, surrounded by 115 family and friends, including Ladell’s mum, brother and sister-in-law, who had flown out from the States.
A self-proclaimed “beach boy”, Ladell had dreamed of a beach wedding, but the location also made sense with its proximity to Melbourne’s international airport.
Despite being somewhat removed from Shepparton, many of their vendors were Goulburn Valley locals, including photographer Melissa Owen, hairdresser Hair by Stephanie and her partner, who was the DJ.
While Tammy bought a second-hand dress online a few weeks after their engagement, simply happy that it had pockets and a slit, Ladell’s suit was fully tailor-made by family friends who own YSG Tailors in Richmond.
“I had pink striping, the inside vest was navy and pink, I chose everything from the buttons to the stitchings, lining, vest and fabric,” Ladell said.
Once pronounced husband and wife, the pair shared that symbolic high five under their wedding arbour before their first kiss.
They then headed down to the sand for sunset photos before retreating inside for their first dance, which created Tammy’s favourite memory of the day.
Ladell says his was seeing all their guests’ emotions.
“Seeing Tam’s dad get emotional brought a tear to my eye, myself,” he said.
The pair have settled in Shepparton for now, but their nomadic souls indicate it may not be home for ever.
But, wherever life takes them, it will be together.
“It’s important for people to know that there aren’t barriers that can keep you away from the person you want to be with,” Tammy said.
“It might seem like it, but if you love someone and want to be together, you can make it happen.”
Tammy and Ladell will honeymoon in Fiji during the next school holidays.
Senior journalist