Like many young adults at the University of Louisiana, James and Tibor’s story began on a night on the back Patio of Marley’s Sports Bar in Lafayette. After a brief introduction through a mutual friend, Adalin McDaniel, they proceeded to…. not see each other again for 2 years.

Tibor and James reconnected in early 2020, and started dating on February 14th, 2020 after sharing a romantic heart-shaped pizza at Deano’s off Bertrand. They enjoyed another month together before the world decided to shut down. Something about a bat? Whatever it was, Tibor returned to her parent’s house in Surfside Beach, Texas while James stayed in Lafayette while finishing his last semester of college. This was the beginning of the theme above.

During the early months of the pandemic, James made the trip to Surfside to visit Tibor on two occasions. Due to Louisiana and Texas travel restrictions, one of which may have required a detour through Arkansas, the couple continued to grow their relationship in person when they could, but largely through numerous phone calls and text messages between episodes of the Tiger King. On his second trip to Surfside, James received a job offer to be an engineer in the Renewable Energy field following graduation. Though it was great, it did mean he would have to hit the road and travel from project to project. As the relationship already had a long-distance aspect due to the pandemic, the couple agreed to give it a go while Tibor finished her final year of undergrad. James began his job traveling for work in June of 2020. The couple did not live in the same city together until May of 2024. Four full years later of continuing and growing their relationship while apart.

During those four years, the couple would have to travel 148,941 direct round trip flight miles just to see one another. Direct miles meaning the distance of each flight if it had been direct (spoiler alert, most were not). The mileage total does not include any travel the two did when together, it does not include all the late night and early morning trips to/from the airport, or the driving distance to meet somewhere between two airports (American Airlines put the couple down in different states airports because it was foggy in Bozeman once. Friends don’t let friends fly American Airlines.) For just a few fun facts; this distance equates to roughly 6 trips around the equator, 152 trips between Tibor and James’ hometowns, and enough miles to consider moving on from a typical car. If the flights had all been direct, the time the couple spent in the air heading to see each other is roughly 11 days. The couple took a total of 72 trips along 32 unique routes, each of which can be seen on the map above.

It would also be unfair to call the distance entirely a negative. Despite it changing the typical dynamic of the relationship, it did have some benefits.James had the opportunity to continue the traveling lifestyle for work, which led to an abundance of experiences, and allowed for quicker professional development.

Tibor finished her undergraduate degree, began and finished a masters, and accepted a fellowship that allowed her to live and work in Austin, TX for a year. Not that these things couldn’t have been done while the couple was in the same place, but the distance did give each some independent flexibility.

As another benefit, when you already have to travel to see one another, why not enjoy some cool things? Just to name a few, the couple hiked through a portion of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia.

Embraced the Pura Vida lifestyle in the Pacific Waters of Costa Rice.

Went on a long, strange, trip to see Dead & Co. play Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Skied between Nevada and California with Lake Tahoe as a backdrop.

Struck it rich at the Kentucky Derby thanks to Rich Strike.

Camped in a National Park on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Admired the unique beauty of Arizona's Antelope Canyon.

Sailed through the Bermuda triangle and lived to tell the tale.

And enjoyed many more adventures (and sunsets) along the way. In total, the couple traveled to 27 different states together, and a couple of different countries.

The traveling has to end at some point though, right? Correct. Despite all the fun adventures, and the added opportunities for personal development, more than anything the couple just wanted to be together. So sometime in 2023, they started planning to do just that. James worked with his employer to set a final date for traveling in 2024 that aligned with the end of her fellowship. There were plenty of bumps along the way, but somehow it worked out beautifully.

With the distance apart beginning to wind down, James wanted to move forward with another aspect of their relationship and started making plans. On the afternoon of April 20th, 2024, Tibor’s friends led her to the 3rd Floor of the Texas State Capital in Austin, TX.

Once she arrived there, James surprised her just by being there, and again when he got on one knee. Tibor said yes, and the couple was engaged. An exciting way to cap off the closing of one chapter, representing the excitement and love that would carry in to the next.

On May 10th, 2024, James took his final flight from Austin to Minneapolis. On May 11th, 2024 Tibor’s Jetta began the long journey up Interstate 35 (and eventually Interstate 35W), and arrived at their apartment on the evening of May 12th, 2024. They had done it. It took over 4 years. Tibor calling 4 different places home, James calling 7 different place home. 32 unique flight routes over 70 trips. So many late night and early morning airport pickups/drop-offs. Countless hours on the phone, and so much time missing one another, but the couple was together at last.

Today, James and Tibor are enjoying their lives in the home they now share. James has settled into a new role, still in renewable energy but no longer traveling. Tibor began an exciting new position with the University of Minnesota. The couple has enjoyed the changing seasons (and lack of 100 degree days that are common in Austin, TX), and worked on making a great group of friends. Life has slowed down from the days of travel, but there’s plenty keeping the pair busy.

Tibor has embraced the Nordic traditions of the Great White North and began taking part in ‘Cold Plunging’. Jumping into ice covered lakes, no matter how cold. James has enjoyed biking and skiing in the alternating seasons, as well as just having his person by his side.

The couple is beyond excited to welcome those who have been along for the journey to Minneapolis this summer as they move on to another milestone together.

We can’t wait to share our new home with everybody, and NOT have to travel for a change! See you all soon!