After close to three years being away from home and his mother, Abraham Peters was all smiles at the Faleolo International Airport when he exited the arrival lounge on Monday evening.

He was accompanied to Samoa by his Australian partner, Courtney Cox and were on the first commercial flight into Samoa after two and a half years. 

The couple are famous on TikTok with the Australian having 115.8k followers and her Samoan partner 58.7k followers – they said they had been planning this trip for months. 

Ms. Cox, an Australian businesswoman and model, told the Samoa Observer she was thrilled to finally be in Samoa to meet her partner's family and explore more of the Samoan culture and island life. 

"It feels good to finally be in Samoa," she told the Samoa Observer. "We have been planning this trip for a very long time. 

"I met him nine months ago and I've been wanting to come and visit his home since then so its just great to be here."

For Mr. Peters his return home is special, as not only is he bringing his partner home, but also to reconnect with his mother whom he had not seen for nearly three years. 

"It's been nearly three years since I last visited and I have been dying to come back home but because of COVID-19 and the restrictions we could not come earlier, anyhow we are so happy to be here. 

"So we've been looking forward to this day and now that we are finally here, we are thrilled and happy. It's very important and very special for the both of us. 

"My mother didn't know that we were coming and we are going to surprise her and I cannot wait to see her again and introduce my partner to her and the rest of the family here."

Mr. Peters said they will be in Samoa for 2 weeks and are staying with his mother. However, he also plans to take his partner around the island and show her more of what Samoa has to offer. 

As for the Australian, she has heard a lot about Samoan culture and food from her partner, and she is just excited to be finally here for the experience. 

"I am excited to try out all the Samoan cuisine; anything new and different. He has already showed me a lot of different foods at home so I am excited to try everything while in Samoa."

As for the welcome show organised by the authorities at the airport, the couple said they were blown away by the gesture. 

"It's amazing and beautiful," Ms. Cox said. "Everything has been fantastic and everyone is so welcoming and hospitable."

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Peters said he used to visit Samoa frequently, until all international borders closed and global travel ceased. 

"I used to visit the country a lot before COVID and all but this time around we are just amazed and excitement is in the air it's just amazing," Mr. Peters added. 

"The welcoming has been great and we feel so welcomed and it's a great way to showcase our amazing culture to our guests arriving at the airport. 

"I've been telling my partner that everything about Samoa is beautiful and to be welcomed like this just confirms everything I said to her and I am very proud of the preparations and to be a Samoa. 

"Our country has put on a show and it's a great feeling to be welcomed in such a manner. I feel so proud. We are just so happy to be here."

Ms. Cox is the Co-founder of Luxe Style Salon in Engadine, New South Wales. Since their arrival in Samoa, the pair have been posting updates of their trip to Samoa on their social media accounts.