A First Date Faux Pas Leads to Happily Ever After

Not long ago, I had the pleasure of working with Anthony, a Los Angeles native. He surprised his wife Rachael with our Luna Paper Jewelry. I reached out to them because I was curious to hear more about their love story (I’m a sucker for a sweet story like theirs!)

Cupid Strikes Again 

Back in 2013, Anthony's client Allisyn casually asked him if he was married or dating anyone. (Allisyn happened to be a long time friend of Rachael's family). When Anthony replied "no," Allisyn mentioned she knew a nice Italian girl that might like to meet him if he was interested. Anthony answered, "Sure, why not?!" Allisyn then checked with Rachael's mom to see if she was interested in going on a date with a nice Italian boy. When Rachael's mom called her to ask if she was interested, she answered "Sure, why not?!"

"So in early December 2013, Anthony compiled what he believed to be a few very clever sentences and hit "send." Two days later, he got a response!"

Several weeks later, while returning from lunch, Anthony found Allisyn waiting on the steps outside his office with a folded piece of paper containing Rachael's contact information. After a few days of deliberating how to approach Rachael, Anthony decided email was the safest way to go. So in early December 2013, Anthony compiled what he believed to be a few very clever sentences and hit "send." Two days later, he got a response! A dinner date was set to occur while Rachael was home during Christmas break... "as long as it wasn't seafood."

An Evening in Roma (or Westlake Village)

They agreed to meet December 23 at Paul Martins in Westlake Village. Being the Monday before Christmas, Anthony never imagined the restaurant would be crowded so he didn't bother making a reservation. When they arrived at the restaurant, the first thing Anthony had to tell Rachael was that he didn't make a reservation and the wait would be over an hour! Rachael was too hungry to wait so they decided to go elsewhere. The two of them trekked across the parking lot to Farfalla's-a nice Italian restaurant. Anthony was relieved when he found out they could be seated immediately. After their nerves were settled with a glass of wine, Rachael and Anthony really hit it off discussing their similar Italian upbringings.

"While in Louisiana, not a day went by when Rachael and Anthony didn't talk, whether it be text message, phone call or video chat. They haven't stopped talking since."

Over the next week they would go on two more dates before Rachael left for an 8-week internship in Louisiana. After the third date, the day before Rachael left, they decided to keep in touch while she was gone and see what happened when she got back. While in Louisiana, not a day went by when Rachael and Anthony didn't talk, whether it be text message, phone call or video chat. They haven't stopped talking since. 

A Marina Gala

Rachael and Anthony got married at the Marina Del Rey Marriott in Marina Del Rey, California. Their wedding photos reveal how completely smitten these two are with each other. The marina waters in the background set the perfect stage. As well, the gorgeous detailing of beaded lace on Rachael’s wedding dress is highlighted in their photos. Their photographer, Cheryl Sedik of Jim Kennedy Photographers, captures this fabulous couple so well.

A Surprise Paper Jewelry Gift

The couple celebrated their first anniversary this past summer. Anthony surprised Rachael with our Luna Paper Jewelry Gift Set. I asked Rachael about what the gift meant to her:

"Anthony, being the creative gift giver that he is, found paper jewelry, which I thought was so thoughtful and special."

She explained, “We wanted to stick to the traditional paper one-year anniversary gift but could not decide what to get each other. I (half serious, half joking) said, ‘just get me jewelry’. And Anthony, being the creative gift giver that he is, found paper jewelry, which I thought was so thoughtful and special. My gift to him was a set of tickets for a sunset Cruise in Santa Barbara."

I am so happy that the gift brought them joy. Thank you, Rachael and Anthony for sharing your sweet story with me!