
Misao McBride
Hello.
I am the founder and CEO of OzMatch.
I didn't believe LOVE would find me
I am originally from Japan and I love my country but my relationship with Japan had always been one of ambivalence due to the hidden pressures of Japanese society.
I’m sure that there are plenty of Japanese women who have the similar relationship with Japan like me. And that is why I set up OzMatch, to encourage them, educate them, support them in being free and being loved.
I am also helping Australian single men who are seeking a genuine, loving, happy long-term relationship, to find their dream partner.
I was born and raised in a small village in the countryside. My mum always told me that I should think carefully before I say something. I always had to think whether something I said would hurt anyone's feeling, if it sounded rude to others, or if it was safe to say etc, etc.
If you are 100% Australian, you may think that is crazy. But that is what my mum taught me about how to survive in a small community with narrow minded people. I loved my mum so much and I followed exactly what she said.
Was I happy with it? Not exactly but I was always the best child at home and at school because I suppressed my thoughts, ideas and feelings. But it cost me a lot. I ended up with anorexia and suffered for more than 20 years until I move to Australia.
I wasn’t interested in meeting men and dating them at all when I was in my 20s and 30s and I kept doubting the benefits of marriage as well. It was because I didn’t see any happily married couples amongst my family, relatives, neighbours and co-workers.
But it wasn’t the true reason why I avoided having any relationship with men. I was afraid of rejection. I didn’t want to get hurt. I didn’t believe someone would love me. And I didn’t love myself at all. I was always angry, disappointed, frustrated, miserable and lonely. I didn’t know how to receive love.
Marriage, Divorce, Immigrant
When I was 39 years old I was rushing to get married. It is kind of a shameful thing to be single in your 40s in Japan. I married a Japanese man who was looking for someone to look after his mother. We both married for the wrong reasons.
Five years later I was in Darling Harbour, Sydney, watching the New Years Eve fireworks but during the fireworks I was looking at the middle aged couple in front of me. They were cuddling. They didn’t talk but I could see how much they cared and loved each other.
That was exactly what I was longing for over so many years. I couldn’t stop my tears running and I said to myself ‘that’s it!!’. After the fireworks, I threw my wedding ring into Darling Harbour. It was Dec 31st, 2007 and it was my independence Day.
I moved from Japan and travelled 7,000 kilometers to Australia in my mid-40s.I was a full-time international student. I didn't have any relatives or any friends here at all. Moreover I couldn't understand English.
It may sound like an awful time but my life has turned out great since then.
Helping Japanese singles find LOVE
I married an Australian man who has a great sense of humor and adventurous mind. I have come to accept the fact that I am now loved and safe. I discovered what a happy and fulfilling, loving relationship could be and I believes that anyone can have it. It all happened because I took a chance. Love is always a risk but the bigger risk is not finding it.
Visit OzMatch FB page and you will see the real Misao and my true love relationship with my Australian husband.
