Romantic reunion in New Zealand for school pals

But the two-week holiday turned into a whirlwind romance – and within months Angela had said goodbye to Wolverhampton and moved to the other side of the world.

She found Stuart on Facebook and, just weeks after sending him a message, had been invited to visit him in Auckland.

Five months later she embarked on the trip and within days of being together she realised he was "the one".

Angela, who already had two sons aged 25 and 22 from a previous marriage who now live in Stourbridge, left behind her life in Parkfields two months later and moved to New Zealand permanently.

The 46-year-old, who was a team leader at the Dunelm home furnishing store in Oldbury, said: "It was a big decision but it seemed right. It felt like if we didn't see what happens we would forever think 'what if?'"

The couple were friends at Parkfield High School but lost contact when they left. Mr Blower, now 47, went on to work for ADT Security Systems but moved to Auckland in 1998 when he was "looking for a change".

He promised to return home to Lanesfield within three months if could not get a job – but he was taken on by ADT as an electronics engineer.

Angela now works as a store manager at the Suzanne Grae clothing store. Stuart proposed last July and the couple are getting married on Valentine's Day in the coastal resort of Tutukaka, and have invited their family and friends over. Angela said: "Sometimes I have to pinch myself to believe what's happened. When I initially came over here on holiday I realised that this is where I was meant to be. I thought going back to Wolverhampton might be a wake-up call but I always knew this was the right thing to do.

"Our families were shocked but they were all really supportive and encouraged us to go for it. It is a different way of life over here and we love it. It is so beautiful." Stuart is an avid Wolverhampton Wanderers fan and said he always keeps up with the club's news through the Express & Star website.