Leo and I met in a Facebook group for SF Bay Area singles, which set the stage for our unique love story.

Our first encounter was at a coffee meeting in October 2021, but we both have different memories of that day. If you ask Leo, he’ll tell you I spent the entire time staring at him. I promise you, that’s not even remotely true! He arrived late, and I had to leave early, so we didn’t get a chance to talk. Still, I couldn’t deny his handsomeness, and I found myself drawn to his posts, hearting his images while he simply liked mine in return.

Given his apparent lack of interest in our online interactions, I wasn’t expecting much when we both signed up for a group hike in January 2022. But this time, Leo made it his mission to connect with me, seizing every opportunity to chat throughout the hike. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but I genuinely enjoyed our conversations, and we began to build a friendship.

Early in our friendship, Leo experienced the heartbreaking loss of his beloved cat, Salvador. This tragedy brought us even closer together, and we began spending more time outside of our group hikes, filling our days with laughter. Then, one night in February, we shared our first kiss. At that time, Leo and I were in different places in life—he wasn’t looking for anything long-term, while I was definitely searching for my forever. Thankfully, he recognized the potential in us and decided to give our connection a chance. Soon after, we transitioned from friends to something more, and on March 14, 2022, we officially began dating exclusively.

Our journey together has been filled with adventure, including memorable road trips and visits to West Virginia to spend time with family and tackle home improvement projects. We’ve supported each other through difficult times, comforting one another through the losses of his beloved cat and grandmother, as well as my uncle, aunt, and our dog Bella.

I knew early on that Leo was the one for me, and I could sense he was quickly falling in love with me too. They say opposites attract, and Leo and I couldn’t be more different. I was convinced I was a dog person, while he was undoubtedly a cat person. So, no one was more surprised than I when I encouraged him to check out a kitten at the local shelter. We made the bold decision to adopt two brothers from the same litter, and I couldn’t love them more. Our family grew even more when our sassy little feline warrior, Xena, walked into Leo’s shop and stole our hearts in November 2023.

How do you know a man loves you? He shows you in all the little things he does—like walking my dog, Bella, in the rain so I wouldn’t get my hair wet, washing the dishes, and cleaning the house. He dressed up as Santa to hand out gifts to some amazing kids at a holiday party. And let’s not overlook the big things, like moving into a congested city when he prefers wide-open spaces, or laying down flooring and painting a house during his supposed time off.

One of the highlights of our relationship came during my annual cookie party in December, where I gather all my adopted nieces and nephews from the SF Bay area. In the midst of the festivities, Leo completely surprised me by proposing. I was so caught up in preparing for the party that I didn’t notice what he was planning. When he got down on one knee, it took me completely off guard, creating a moment I will cherish forever.

Throughout our relationship, we have treasured every moment together. We’ve gained new friends, become a family, and started new traditions. When Leo proposed, he said to me, “It was always you.” I truly believe that Leo and I were meant for each other, and we are so excited for the next chapter in our love story!

Menu

Welcome Party

Prunyard BBQ Buffet

Wedding

Appetizers

Main Course

SIDES

Desserts

Wedding Cake