Tom Barrett and Brazilian-born Isis Fornari have proved that in the internet age, love knows no boundaries.
It was back in May 2005 when 16-year-old Myerscough College student Tom joined travellers' social networking website WAYN after receiving a request from a friend.
He wasn't looking for an internet relationship - but that day a picture of Isis caught his eye, and seven months later he found himself travelling nearly 6,000 miles across the Atlantic ocean to meet her in person.
Within two years, the couple had married during a lavish ceremony in Sao Paulo, and have now set up home in Grizedale Avenue, Garstang.
"It's been very surreal," said Isis. "But it's been worth it."
Both Tom's and Isis' families were surprised when the pair's friendship began to grow more and more serious.
But the couple would spend hours chatting online in the months before Tom made the trip to Brazil, and after several journeys back and forth between the two countries, they decided they'd had enough of saying goodbye - and agreed to tie the knot.
Tom, now 19, said: "Her picture was just there on my screen, so I sent her a message asking if she wanted to chat some time. We started chatting and it felt like we had a connection straight away."
When Tom was at college, he would stay up until 5am to talk to her, even if he had lectures starting at 9am. They would also talk on Skype - an internet-based phone system - and used webcams so that they could see each other, as well as using the more traditional communication of writing letters.
In August the couple began to discuss plans for Tom to visit Brazil. But it wasn't until Tom's mum offered to pay for flights that the idea became a reality.
Tom said: "I was really scared of flying because I'd only ever flown once before, and it was a 12 hour flight.
"When I saw her at the terminal she was smiling and shaking. You have a vision of someone, but it's completely different in real life. Isis was 10 times better than I thought she would be. It was a big adventure."
After Tom's second visit, Isis wrote a long email to Tom telling him she didn't want to see him leave another time without knowing when or if they would see each other again.
She quit her university course, left her family and friends and came to live with Tom for six months in Bilsborrow, before they married in April 2007.
Isis said: "We really wanted to take it to the next level and move forward in the relationship. I think we're just meant to be."
When Tom finishes his studies at Myerscough, the couple may relocate to Brazil so that Isis, who wants to become a diplomat, can continue her education. But until then, the 20-year-old will have to brave the slightly colder and wetter climate of Lancashire.
Isis said: "I really like England. Besides the weather, it's very nice. The people are very nice and I think Garstang is pretty. It's completely different to Brazil and I miss home but without Tom I would be lost."