We returned to Melbourne on an all-night flight from Bali at 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 26. 2004, and raced to the Hawthorn Town Hall where we met Lisa, Jacob and Jacob’s grandad, Wally. Along with 123 other immigrants, Alma, Lisa and I were sworn in as Australian citizens as Jacob, Tilly and Wally looked on. Most of the rest of the extended family were still back in Bali, vigorously celebrating Dennis’ 60^th birthday. When we departed our resort in Bali to get back to Melbourne for the citizenship ceremony, they all assembled to wave flags and shout, “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi, Oi, Oi.” (That’s an Aussie thing that I won’t try to explain to you non-antipodean readers just now).

The ceremony, which happened to fall on Australia Day, was colorful, patriotic, musical and, at times, humorous. Bill and Lisa were seized by a serious case of the giggles when a local choir sang an obscure patriotic song to music that sounded to us an awful lot like “Frosty the Snowman.” An endless parade of politicians waffled on interminably until one made the mistake of promising to “keep it short” and was rewarded with thunderous but unmistakably sarcastic applause from the hundreds of fidgeting spectators. At one point, Tilly bellowed out her opinion of the whole thing. Being a natural-born Australian, she didn’t think it was such a big deal, apparently.

Finally, the three of us were summoned to the stage and given our certificates of citizenship and little eucalyptus trees for planting in our gardens. For us, the ceremony was an exciting and moving event. While we will, of course, retain our American citizenship as dual nationals, becoming Australian citizens represented our commitment to our adopted country. Australia is an amazing place and we are proud and honored to be part of it.

Jacob, who by virtue of falling in love with Lisa 10 years ago is responsible for our being here, not only minded Tilly during the citizenship ceremony, but took many of the following photos—no small feat if you’ve ever met Tilly.