It’s always a good time for another SK Love Story! This month we are featuring a lively couple: Mary + Daisy. This pair walked into our showroom and the room instantly lit up! Please read on for their cute tale – we think you’ll enjoy it as much as we loved working with them.
Names: Mary Gonnelli and Daisy Oliver
Current location: Long Beach, CA
Meeting date + location: October 2016, Los Angeles, CA
Wedding date + location: TBD (Eloping 2021), Los Angeles, CA
How did you meet?
At a mutual friend’s birthday party in downtown Los Angeles. We were both on the dance floor, as we tend to be. We locked eyes, exchanged names, and ran our separate ways because Mary was in a relationship. Over the next 2 years, we serendipitously ran into each other multiple times before Mary asked Daisy on our first date in 2018 to a seafood restaurant in Beverly Hills. We’ve been inseparable ever since.
The proposal – please tell us the story!
Mary secretly held a family meeting to ask for Daisy’s parent’s blessing. She sought the help of Daisy’s closest girlfriends to take her ring shopping. Daisy still thinks she just went to Happy Hour for a girl’s night. LOL. Then COVID hit and all proposal plans were ruined. But Mary don’t quit! She planned a surprise proposal at a private home in Palm Springs, camouflaged by the fact it was also Mary’s birthday. After Daisy made Mary birthday dinner, Daisy was escorted to a hot tub and pool filled with flowers and candles Mary had set up while Daisy was cooking. The first time we kissed was at a hot tub in Palm Springs for Krave weekend. What better way to tie the knot than to return to our first intimate moment? Daisy’s siblings joined for brunch the next morning, and our friends joined the next day for a pool party and engagement celebration….masked up and 6 feet apart, of course ;).
When did you know that your significant other was the one?
Mary: She picked me up from the airport in the middle of rush hour, with snacks, beverages, and not one, but two succulents. My love language is Acts of Service, so I knew Daisy was the ONE!
Daisy: The first time she cooked a meal for us. Mary is Italian, so she likes garlic and onion. She didn’t know I was allergic to garlic and onion, but I still ate every bite. She also messed up the gnocchi we made from scratch, but I knew by watching her cook how much she put love into food and every recipe. And we all need food to survive, so I knew I could survive with her FOREVER.
What is your favorite thing about your significant other?
Mary: Oh that’s hard, I love everything about Daisy. My top three things are:
- She is the kindest, most understanding and non-judgmental person I’ve ever met.
- I’m forever grateful for her introducing me to gospel music, because it led me to God.
- Daisy puts up a front that she is sooo tough, but really she’s a big kid inside. I love to hear her laugh! She lights up a room!
Daisy: Well, there are so many things I love about Mary. Let’s start with ALL the things, LOL jk.
- She is smart, generous, funny, beautiful, and I love the way she looks in the morning when she doesn’t know I’m creepily watching her sleep. She’s so peaceful and gorgeous, and I love to pray over her.
- She is a chef!! Like, seriously, better than most restaurants and has mastered coming up with recipes for my garlic and onion allergy, which most people can’t even comprehend.
- Mary keeps me motivated through tough days and always knows what to say to lift my spirits when I’m having doubts. She’s my most favorite person, best friend and confidant. We make a great team!
What has COVID taught you about each other/relationships? Did you learn anything about your SO?
Mary: We moved in together a week before COVID hit, not leaving a lot of room for personal space. We have learned to respect each other’s boundaries. We have learned what NOT to say. And we’ve found the beauty of creating a home together, rather than the frenzy of our former social butterfly lives.
Daisy: Mary and I were scared like many during the height of the pandemic. She wanted to do everything to keep us safe from being exposed, and had me at home like Rapunzel, LOL jk! But that is what I love about her. She goes the extra mile and puts herself in harm’s way just to keep me safe. Our communication has also been challenging, but we are growing closer and learning how to trust, love, and show compassion to each other through these unprecedented times.
Do you have any notable stories that have stood out over the years – hilarious, sentimental, anything!
We plead the 5th, JK!
Mary is a trouble maker, Daisy is conservative. Which makes for pretty interesting adventures. Daisy has been flown off a jet ski. Mary has been stung by a jellyfish. In 2019 we went on 7 trips. In 2020 we got so antsy, we only went on one and fled to Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) where Mary was driving an ATV at 60 miles per hour, on a highway, standing up, to take pictures. Meanwhile, Daisy was freaking out behind her and almost crashed. Mary cooks birthday dinner for every single person in Daisy’s family, and there’s a ton of them. Daisy has flown to the east coast to grow closer with Mary’s family, and there’s a lot of them, too. Above all, we cherish adventure and time with loved ones.
What’s your favorite go-to date night idea? Pre or post quarantine!
Pre-COVID, the K-Spa was our spot! We can’t wait to go back and spend the whole day there.
During quarantine, we’ve gotten real good at Texas Hold Em’ using our piggy bank as the money bag. Otherwise, cheese plates, movies, homemade pizza Fridays, fancy homecooked meals, and a whole lotta wine.
Let’s talk jewels – how did you choose this ring?!
Mary is really non-traditional and prefers a band, rather than the typical engagement ring. She googled non-traditional artists in LA, and fell in love with Sofia’s style the moment we walked in for a private viewing of her ring collection. Daisy surprised Mary with a visit to SK for her birthday weekend. Little did Daisy know, Mary had already bought Daisy’s ring and was planning to propose the next day.
Wedding bells! How is wedding planning going?
What wedding? It’s COVID, you should know better! In all seriousness, we’re really excited and planning to elope. But, once it’s safe to return to in-person gatherings, we’re having a HUGE mask-free gathering of family and friends in Los Angeles.
What are you most excited about for your wedding?
Buying dope suits, throwing the best party of our lives, and having a photographer capture it all because we never have our phones ready to take pictures.
Are you going to honeymoon?
Duh! 5-star room over the ocean, please. We don’t mind a 24-hour plane ride somewhere in the Pacific… Maldives, or all things majestic.
Alright – so what’s next for the two of you?!
We plan on living our best lives in our newly purchased condo. We have some renovations to schedule, so Mary has a million Home Depot trips in her future. As for Daisy, she will simply try to keep the plants alive. We’re really excited to start a family, too!
Finally, if you could add any piece to your SKFJ collection, which one would it be?
Ooooooh, there’s so many!! We both love the Black Lives Matter tribute ring, and would buy everything in that collection. Mary loves anything stackable, and Daisy love’s all the antiques and heirlooms.
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Do you have an engaging story to share of how you met your love? Stop by here and share for your chance to be the next featured Love Story!
