From Online Chats to ‘I Do’: My Journey from Bachelorhood to Marriage in Colombia
Steps to Marrying a Colombiana as an American
When I first clicked “send” on a message to a woman named Liliana through a Latin dating app on January 6, 2023, I had no idea my life was about to change forever. At 63, I was a seasoned bachelor, a city guy from Los Angeles living a part-time nomadic lifestyle in San Diego, splitting my time between the U.S. and Colombia. She was a 43-year-old hair and nail stylist from the small Colombian city of Cúcuta, a world apart from mine in almost every way — culturally, economically, and linguistically. But somehow, through daily communication, perseverance, and mutual respect, we built something extraordinary.
The Cancun Setback That Made Us Stronger
Our first in-person meeting was supposed to be in Cancun in February 2023. I had planned a romantic birthday getaway for her, scheduled for the 19th. I arrived early to make sure everything was perfect. But fate had different plans. Mexican immigration deemed her financially insolvent and sent her back to Colombia the moment she landed. I watched her flight arrive and waited anxiously, unaware of what had happened. After hours of silence, I finally went to the airport to investigate and was devastated to find out the truth.
That’s when I got the news: She never even made it through customs.
I was crushed — not just for me, but for her. She was coming to celebrate her birthday, and instead she was sent home alone, humiliated by bureaucracy. And there I was, in Cancún for six days, alone with a prepaid room full of dreams and no one to share them with.
But in hindsight, that trip gave us both something unexpected: clarity. Even though we weren’t together physically, the disappointment made it even clearer how much we cared for one another. Neither of us gave up.
What was supposed to be a romantic celebration turned into a solo trip for me. But that six-day trip gave me time to reflect — and it didn’t weaken our bond. If anything, it made us more determined to see each other. Just a few weeks later, in March 2023, I flew to Cúcuta, Colombia, and we met face-to-face for the first time. There was no denying the magic.
From Daily Chats to Real-Life Love in Cucuta, Colombia
From that point forward, we committed to seeing each other regularly — every other month, I made the trip from San Diego to Cúcuta. Even with the challenge of a 19+ year age difference, a language barrier (neither of us spoke the other’s language fluently), and cultural differences, our connection only grew. We talked every single day, no exceptions. Whether by voice messages, video calls, or texts using Google Translate, our relationship developed layer by layer.
Liliana is a traditional Colombiana, family-centered and faith-driven. She’s not someone who grew up with luxury or ease, but she had dignity, strength, and a powerful will to thrive. Her small salon business had taken a hit during the pandemic, but she kept pushing forward. When I met her, she was living in an Estrato 2 neighborhood — modest and humble. Today, she lives in an Estrato 4 community — safer, cleaner, and more comfortable. I like to think I helped her imagine and live into a new life.
Two Kids, One Family
Liliana has two children — a 25-year-old son and a 15-year-old son who lives with us. Navigating the dynamics of becoming a stepfather at 64 after over 30 years of single life wasn’t easy. At first, I grappled with the “woman with kids” syndrome, but gradually, I embraced it. The younger child, now a vibrant part of our daily life, brings laughter, learning, and challenges that keep me young at heart. Her older son speaks some English and studies it in school, so we’re able to share occasional conversations that go deeper than translated phrases.
I’ve been received warmly by Liliana’s family. While most don’t speak English, their hospitality and love transcend language. We’ve traveled together across Colombia, from mountain pueblos to Caribbean beaches. We’ve shared meals, danced to vallenato music, and built a beautiful, blended life in a city that initially felt foreign to me.
A Life Uplifted, Together
It’s not just Liliana’s life that’s been uplifted — mine has, too. I’ve shed layers of isolation and the old self-image of the forever-single man. My life had long been guided by independence, solitude, and a spiritual compass. Books like The Power of Now (El Poder Del Ahora en Espanol) by Eckhart Tolle shaped my journey toward enlightenment. Liliana shares that spiritual curiosity and openness and is a big fan of Joe Dispenza, whom I’m also familiar with. We often talk about God, purpose, peace, and the power of dreaming — conversations that feel like divine appointments.
She has a sharp intuition and an emotional depth that grounds me. In many ways, she lives from the heart more than the head, and that balance has been healing for me. It’s allowed me to slow down and appreciate the present in a way that I hadn’t before. While I came into this relationship with more financial stability, she brought emotional wealth and spiritual insight.
Navigating Cultural Clashes and Dreams of the Future
Of course, we’ve had our challenges. Language continues to be an issue — we still rely heavily on Google Translate and a lot of patience. Colombian culture is vibrant and expressive, while I’ve often been more reserved and analytical. But we’ve learned to bridge our differences with love and humor.
Now 64 and 44, we are living proof that love can thrive across generations and borders. Though there’s interest in visiting the United States, Liliana has no real desire to live there. My lifestyle in the U.S. — mostly van life on the road — doesn’t appeal to her. She prefers the rooted, close-knit community she has in Colombia. If we ever live in the States, it would have to be under very different circumstances.
And I respect that. It’s part of why I’ve spent so much time here. The life we’ve created in Colombia is vibrant and fulfilling. We live more simply, but more intentionally. We eat fresh, local food. We spend more time together as a family. We’ve created a home.
From Nomad to Newlywed
On July 18, 2025, we made it official. After nearly two years of long-distance dating, travel, trials, and transformation, we said “I do.” No one could have imagined I would be marrying a Colombiana as an American or as anything else.
Marriage has brought its own lessons. As a long-time bachelor, adjusting to sharing space, routines, and responsibilities was an internal shift. But waking up next to Liliana every day in Cúcuta — knowing we chose each other across all odds — is a gift I don’t take for granted.
Love Beyond Borders: Final Thoughts
This journey has been more than romance. It’s been a spiritual initiation, a transformation, and an act of co-creation. Liliana and I have both grown in ways we couldn’t have imagined. We’ve learned to dream together — beyond Estrato levels, beyond borders, beyond fear.
If you’ve ever doubted whether love could find you later in life or across continents, I’m here to tell you: it can. It may not look like the fairy tales or follow conventional timelines, but it can be just as powerful — maybe even more so.
What’s Next?
We continue to build. Whether that means expanding her business, traveling to new places in Colombia, or maybe even exploring how to split time between two countries — we’re dreaming big.
If you’re curious about life, love, and long-term travel, or marrying a Colombiana, follow along. I’ll be sharing more from our journey — including cultural tips, relationship advice, and insights for anyone considering dating abroad or relocating later in life.
Love isn’t always convenient. But it’s always worth the ride.
–– Stanley aka NomadicStan
Check out:
My Spanish Was Trash, But My Dating Life Took Off Anyway In Latin America – NomadicStan
