How We MET
Αnd the San Francisco 49ers were in the Super Bowl. Excited about the city where Tommy’s college was located, he decided to throw a Super Bowl party with his college teammates and friends. Among those friends was a sophomore named Olivia, who thought it would be fun to have her dog, Ziba, along with 40+ people and a dog packed into a four-person dorm room, everyone watched and celebrated together. One guest wasn’t very into the game, though; she was much more interested in the dozen bacon-wrapped hot dogs Tommy was grilling. And by guest, we mean Ziba.
After the 49ers lost the game and the party ended, Tommy couldn’t stop thinking about Ziba. Later that week, he messaged Olivia asking if they wanted to go on a hike. Olivia, who obviously thought Tommy was very handsome and found his love for Ziba incredibly charming, immediately said yes.
They made plans, spent time together, and quickly began learning more about each other. As Tommy and Ziba’s bond naturally grew stronger, so did Olivia and Tommy’s. What started as something new and delicate slowly turned into something more.
Then, the unthinkable happened—the world shut down.
Due to the pandemic, everyone was sent home. Olivia made her way back to Los Gatos, and Tommy returned to Southern California. A week later, the school announced students wouldn’t be returning and needed to clear out their dorms.
Since Olivia didn’t need to go back to campus to finish the semester, she decided it was the perfect time to visit her home in South Carolina. Unsure how she’d get there, and knowing Ziba was clearly missing her new best friend, Olivia thought, why not see if Tommy would want to drive across the country with us?
Tommy, being the type of guy who’s always up for an adventure (especially last-minute ones), thought it was a great idea.
The next morning, he drove up to San Francisco with his dad and brother to clean out his dorm… only to casually inform them he would not be going home with them, and would instead be driving across the country with a girl.
During that three-day road trip, and throughout their time in South Carolina, memories were made, love was in the air, and Ziba…well, Ziba was thriving. She was the only child of two people whose only job at the time was to give her treats and attention…
She just didn’t know that was about to change.
Kona
Kona was the result of a bored and slightly spoiled 26-year-old who was convinced he needed a dog.
In all seriousness, Thomas’s aunt Colleen was one of the most giving and gracious people he’s ever known. She would give him the world if he asked for it, so when he asked for a puppy as his graduation gift, Kona arrived in the blink of an eye.
And just like that, Ziba was no longer an only child.
Somewhere between a few more road trips to South Carolina, Diamond Bar, Los Gatos, and Temecula, love continued to grow stronger.
After Olivia was settled in West Hollywood, Thomas finally asked Olivia to be his girlfriend.
Yeah, long time coming, buddy! Olivia thought.
And here we are, six years later, five different cities we’ve lived in together, two perfect dogs, one extremely hardworking, dedicated, family-loving man, and one strong-willed, resilient, independent woman. Thomas decided to continue the trend… and finally asked Olivia to be his wife.
If you know us, you know the journey hasn’t always been easy. It’s been hard, sometimes sad, a little stressful, and even confusing at times. But we wouldn’t trade a single moment, not an argument, not a tear, not even the times that tested us most.
Because everything we’ve experienced has led us to this exact, perfect moment.
A moment where we get to share our love story with the people we love most, and invite you to celebrate it with us in the most romantic, love-filled country in the world.
See you in Greece
xoxo
ﺑو س وﺑﻐل
Abrazos y besos
Αγκαλιές και φιλιά ,
Thomas & Olivia