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Chiara Tomassini and Matt Graziano
What started as a friendship in the streets of Florence, Italy became a love story worth chasing around the world. Chiara and Matt met in Florence in 2015 while taking a class to get their certification for teaching English abroad. Matt, originally from the Chicago area, was paired up in a group with Chiara, who is originally from Rome.
"I was excited because I was studying Italian, and I have an Italian in my group," Matt said. "It just so happened that she was extremely beautiful and funny and way out of my league."
Besides the chemistry they seemed to have, Matt and Chiara were both in relationships and found it challenging to be around each other. After a month and a half of friendship and getting to know each other better, the pair, being young and in a foreign country said they couldn't resist the chemistry and feelings they had for each other.
It wasn't until the class was over and Matt returned to Chicago that the pair realized how hard it was to be apart. They kept in touch for over three months, messaging on WhatsApp and Skyping most days, until Chiara took the biggest leap and moved to Chicago to be with him.
"We didn't date, we jumped right in," Chiara said. "I was scared. I wasn't expecting dedication and commitment, but he proved me wrong."
Matt, who was determined to show Chiara how serious he was, said he started doing everything possible to step up his game for her, including flossing for the relationship. The couple faced challenges like most, but the biggest struggle was having to travel back and forth from Italy to Chicago every couple of months during the beginning of the relationship. Chiara was not expecting the U.S. to be so different.
"I lived abroad for a year (in London) so I thought I was ready for that experience but I didn't realize how different the U.S. is," Chiara said. "I remember thinking: The U.S. is a beautiful dress, but it's too large for me, it doesn't fit me."
After a year of living back and forth in Chicago and Italy due to Chiara's visa, the couple got married in September 2016 in Rome, with two witnesses and a photographer. In October of 2019, the couple decided to move to Austin due Chiara's "Italian blood" not loving the Chicago cold.
Matt and Chiara, being a young married couple, loved what Austin had to offer: warm weather, cool places and fun times. Since moving, the couple has found that their love wasn't rushed, it was meant to be.
Chiara, who is described by Matt as "extremely caring and thorough, and thorough in her caring," gave birth to their daughter last month. Lily, who was named after the flower in Florence's flag, is the new addition to the love story that the couple have written over the past six years.
"Our love story proves that there are no excuses," Chiara said. "If you really want something, go for it. Jump on a plane. Just chase it, be brave, and it will pay off if you really believe in it."
"When I'm with her, I feel all these crazy feelings, and when I'm not with her, I feel sick. Physically sick," Matt said.
Susan James and Jay Curlee
Susan and Jay have the type of story that people only read about. The couple originally met in the early 70's while living in Hawaii. Jay, who grew up in Arizona and is a television and film director, got Susan's attention with his fun sense of humor and adventurous spirit from their very first date.
The couple, quickly enamored with each other, dated and lived together for a couple of years in Hawaii until they faced their biggest enemy: time. Although the chemistry was there, the couple separated for over 16 years, each living on with their lives. Jay, married another woman for 14 years and had two kids while Susan lived with her boyfriend of 12 years.
It wasn't until Jay's divorce that the couple reunited for lunch on June 19, 1992, realized the chemistry was still there, started dating again and have been inseparable ever since. Jay and Susan got married on Feb. 14, 1993 in Kāhala Beach and will be celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary this year.
"I always considered him the love of my life," Susan said.
In 2014, the couple decided to move to Austin where they had many friends from over the years of going on the Delbert McClinton Sandy Beaches music cruise, where Jay spent a lot of time producing films. Jay, who was diagnosed with cancer in early 2020, is still working on his movie projects in Austin while in his loving marriage with fun-spirited Susan.
"If you're smart, funny, interesting and adventurous, I'm in," Jay said. "I'm a lucky guy because I got that."
When asked for what advice they would give to younger couples, Susan jokingly said "wait until you're old!" Although their love story had it's ups and downs over the years, Jay and Susan knew in the end, they would end up together.
Kay and Mike Platis
In 1978, a small town girl from Yoakum, Texas met a city boy from Houston at a fourplex in the Hyde Park area. Mike and Kay, who have been married since 1983, were both attending the University of Texas and immediately hit it off as neighbors. "She was the girl next door," Mike said.
The couple had their first date attending a production of Uncle Vanya at the University of Texas and then visiting Mount Bonnell, a classic date spot in Austin. Mike and Kay found themselves inseparable during their last semesters at UT. The only time they spent apart was when Mike would spend summers in Houston working while Kay worked in Austin. Without a lot of money and a new serious relationship ahead, the couple couldn't stay far apart for long.
"We just made it work, we didn't have a ton of money, but we made it work," Kay said.
After graduating and figuring out what kind of future the pair had in store, they stayed in Austin and grew in their relationship while having as much fun as a young couple living in town could.
"We partied a lot. We would go to 6th street, the Broken Spoke, Silver Dollar, Raul's," Mike said. "There were bands everywhere. Austin wasn't the live music capital of the world yet, but the music was here. There was a natural beauty everywhere."
After dating for a couple of years, Mike and Kay got married on May 28, 1983 in Yoakum, with about 600 people in attendance and a live performance from Alvin Crow and the Pleasant Valley Boys. After their wedding, Mike and Kay did what any young married couple would do at the time, they bought a home and worked on building a life together.
"I feel really blessed to have found a mate," Kay said. "Somebody you can live with, somebody you can grow with, somebody you can grow a family with."
The couple, still young-spirited and completely enamored with each other, have two older children and are planning on moving to New Braunfels in 2021, after finally feeling that they have "out-aged" the city. Mike and Kay still find the joy in everyday things and feel lucky to have found each other.
"We are best friends as well as love birds. I think we're lucky, I really feel like we are," Mike said. "I feel lucky all the time."
Emma and Jay
Young love in Austin is around every corner, and newly-engaged couple Emma and Jay prove that it's not about age when you know you've found the right person.
The love birds met in early 2018 through an ex-girlfriend of Jay's and instantly bonded over their love for music, the outdoors, hiking, adventuring, old cars, old records and their life-long aspirations. It wasn't until November of that year that the pair decided to try things out, and they have been on a loving whirlwind ever since.
"Everything clicked with us, it was weird," Jay said. "It was kind of really weird. We were the exact same person about everything."
Jay and Emma not only had chemistry due to their similar personalities, but their adventurous and serious spirit for the future. Jay, who loves spending time with Emma's five younger siblings, the youngest being three years old, said that was an instant connection that brought them closer together.
"The first couple months of our relationship, we would tell each other 'I like you, I like you a lot' because we didn't want to jinx it by saying 'I love you' too fast," Jay said.
The couple have spent the last two years enjoying their time together, attending concerts such as Rex Orange County, Hozier and Austin City Limits music festival while still living in romance by having picnics at the Katherine Fletcher Park downtown.
Jay proposed to Emma in September of 2020, hoping it wasn't too soon but knowing they wanted to be with each other forever.
"I really didn't care how fast it was," Jay said. "We just want to hurry up and get married. Love is great, it's a really cool thing."
Jay and Emma have found that overly communicating, loving each other and going above and beyond for your significant other is the best way to deal with a relationship.
"Ever since I first met him, his strength and his courage in life inspired me," Emma said. "He's helped me grow to be a stronger and better person. To watch him go through his life experiences and be alongside it, I'm learning and watching him become stronger as a person."
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Lobster bisque
Flavorful, smooth, creamy and romantic, this lobster bisque is perfect for any dinner with your loved ones. This rich recipe is easy to make and will take up about one hour and 15 minutes of your time, so find the perfect sous-chef, cozy up with your significant other and enjoy a warm bowl this Valentine's Day.
You can find the recipe for lobster bisque here.
Coq au vin blanc
A French classic, this recipe is perfect for any lovers (or families) looking for a comforting dish on this upcoming cold Valentine's Day. Chicken and mushrooms braised in white wine followed by a delicious creamy texture, coq au vin blanc is filled with so many flavors and warmth you will want a second bowl. This recipe will take up one hour of your time and is the perfect addition to any Valentine's Day.
You can find the recipe for coq au vin blanc here.
Homemade pizza
Valentine's Day is the best opportunity to try something new with your love. If you've never made homemade pizza, try this recipe for a fun night of different flavors. Whether you're a fan of classic cheese pizza or want to change things up by making a truffle pizza, these recipes have you covered. Once you make the dough, the possibilities are endless! Try shaping your pizza into a heart for an ultimate love-fest this Valentine's Day.
You can find the recipe for homemade pizza here.
Mushroom risotto
Mushroom risotto is simple, yet takes patience and time. If you've been trying out new things in the kitchen, this recipe should be your go-to for Valentine's Day dinner. It will take 50 minutes to make, but with constant stirring, you and your love can take turns making this mouthwatering dish for a wonderfully delicious dinner.
You can find the recipe for mushroom risotto here.
Steak diane
Steak lovers can rejoice this Valentine's Day with this steak diane recipe for two. With only a few ingredients and a flavorful bite, this recipe is a perfect main dish for a romantic dinner at home. Try pairing it with herb and garlic mashed potatoes or a beet salad with goat cheese for a delicious dinner.
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Lemon garlic scallop pasta
When it comes to making a dish that will satisfy everyone and is easy enough to make, this lemon garlic scallop pasta is the perfect elevated dinner for Valentine's Day. If you're a pasta lover and have never tried making scallops, this recipe is easy to follow and will only take up 30 minutes of your time. Besides, nothing is better for a romantic dinner than sharing a plate of pasta.
You can find the recipe for lemon garlic scallop pasta here.
Lamb chops with mint gremolata
Lamb chops are delicious and super easy to make, and this recipe is no different. With only five ingredients, these lamb chops with mint gremolata are perfect for elevating your Valentine's Day dinner. Marinate your lamb chops 2 hours in advance and you'll have a meal to share with your love in no time. Try pairing it with roasted potatoes and baby carrots with garlic for a full meal.
You can find the recipe for lamb chops with mint gremolata here.
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