Business coach Marion Chloé Theis, 34, followed a ‘message from the universe’ to Bali — and came home with a soulmate nearly 30 years older, a new life, and a baby on the way.
It was the third time the Indonesian island had popped up that week – hours earlier, I’d noticed several Instagram stories about it and, a few days before, an advert had appeared on my computer. The message from the universe was clear – I had to go to Bali.
With a gut feeling this was something I should do, I began planning and saving for a two-month trip.
I was freelancing in digital marketing at the time, so I could work remotely, and I’d been staying with my mother so I didn’t have to worry about leaving a flat.
I’d been single for seven years at that point, and I longed to find the right partner.
I didn’t think the two things were connected until, one night, I was drifting off to sleep and it hit me – I suddenly knew I was going to fall in love with a British man in Bali.
I’m no stranger to flashes of intuition. Growing up, I was always very empathetic. In high school, I could predict which couples would stay together and, even now, I know if a friend’s relationship will work. I see these moments as guidance – like a spiritual satnav.
In March 2019, I boarded a flight to travel more than 7,000 miles to Bali. I spent the first two weeks in Ubud seeing the sights, waiting impatiently for my mystery man to materialise.
After two weeks, I was starting to get frustrated – had I come all this way for nothing? But I knew I had to trust the universe.
Two days later, I was driving around Ubud on a moped looking for somewhere to eat, and I parked up in a random street.
When I walked past a local restaurant, I felt a strong pull to enter. Inside, I sat at the bar next to an older man and said hello to be polite.
The man glanced at me and looked like he wanted to be left alone, but soon we started chatting.
He was British, but romance wasn’t on my mind because of the age difference.
Mark, then 55, said he was retired and recently single after a long-term relationship had ended.
Over our food, we talked about travel and, surprisingly, hit it off, arranging to meet for dinner the following night.
Our first date went well. I wasn’t sure if he was my soulmate, but there was strong chemistry, despite the almost 30-year age gap.
I’d never dated an older man, but we had a lot in common, including the importance we placed on loyalty and a mutual curiosity about life.
That night, we kissed goodbye and promised to keep in touch, as Mark was due to fly home the next day.
However, in the morning, he texted to say he’d cancelled his flight so we could spend time together.
It was so romantic, and we spent two passionate weeks getting to know one another. Mark then suggested we travel to Thailand, and I knew by then he was the man I was destined to meet.
Months later, Mark told me that as soon as we met, he decided to ditch his vow to remain single. We flew to Bangkok, then stayed in a beach hut in Koh Phangan. Our six weeks together were amazing.
On May 13, I returned to France and Mark to the UK, but less than a week later he visited me in Paris.
At the end of his stay, Mark invited me over to England. I arrived at his home in Sleaford on May 28 – two months after we’d first met – and only returned to France to pick up some stuff.
Moving to the UK was a culture shock at first, but I quickly settled into our life together. Family and friends were surprised by our age gap, but everyone could see what a good match we were.
We married in August 2025, and now we’re expecting our first child. Mark is fit and active and has more energy than me, and we’re both looking forward to life with a little one.
When you’ve been single for so long, it can be hard to imagine that you’ll ever meet anyone. I’ve learned that trusting the universe can manifest not only a man, but also a wonderful new life.”
