Eric and Christina Schwendeman's relationship got serious the day he brought up retirement. "I have a long-term plan," Eric, 53, recalled telling his now-wife nearly two decades ago. "I want to work as hard as possible and retire to Italy as young as I possibly can."

At the time, the couple lived in Naples, Florida, which is more than 5,000 miles and a 13-hour long-haul flight from Italy. "He was like, 'That's my goal. If you're on board for that, then let's do this,'" Christina, 40, said.