A partnership that's lasted longer than many marriages has resulted in Australian ice dancers Greg Merriman and Danielle O'Brien competing in the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, in February.
The six-time national champions, along with 18-year-old figure skater Brendan Kerry, are the first three athletes announced in the 57-strong Australian team.
O'Brien was just seven when she linked up with her nine-year-old partner at Sydney's Macquarie Centre ice rink.
She will turn 24 on the day of the opening ceremony, February 7, with the Games fulfilling a dream the duo thought they may never realise.
They were certainties to compete at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics but just before the qualification event Merriman was hospitalised with a heart virus that ruled them out of the competition.
A tough period followed but their relocation to Michigan in the United States - the home of US figure skating - saw them recommit to their goal.
The Australians may not be a realistic medal chance but Merriman expects them to do better than they would have back in 2010.
"To not get to go four years ago was disappointing to say the least," he said.
"We're much better skaters than we were four years ago.
"To really push and work and make the commitment to move overseas to train with other high-level ice-dance teams has made a huge difference."
The pint-size O'Brien describes Merriman as an older brother, with the same ability to annoy and amuse.
"We work really well together," she said.
"I stress, and Greg is one of the people who is able to talk me out of that stress.
"He can create the stress but he can also eliminate it."
Before their move to the US the pair were coached by Monica MacDonald, who is Kerry's mother and who competed in the ice dancing at the 1988 Calgary Olympics.
Kerry's 17-year-old sister Chantelle is also an outside chance of making it to Sochi, challenging Brooklee Han's selection at a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing next week.
She will argue that Han should be ineligible because she entered an event without the approval of the national federation.
