It all started in Mykonos… because of course it did.

Natashya had just been to Italy for her sister’s wedding and wrapped it up with a girls trip to Mykonos. Meanwhile, Sotiri, a proud Greek, was heading home for vacation.

On the first night out, we met at Negrita—a tiny bar tucked on the water in old town. He pulled her up onto the DJ stand (classic move), and when she climbed down, he asked where she was from.

“Los Angeles.”

“No way—I’m from Orange County.”

Somehow, two people from California found each other in a little seaside bar in Greece. We were both only in Mykonos for three nights—but we spent every single one together.

After parting ways—Natashya to London, Sotiri to the mainland—we kept texting every day. When he flew back to California, he said he wanted to see her the moment he landed. Natashya left work early to pick him up from LAX, and our first California date was at Javier’s in Newport. From that point on, it was weekends back and forth, meeting families quickly, celebrating birthdays, and just knowing: this was something real.

On June 26th, what was supposed to be a casual date night in Laguna turned into a surprise proposal. Drinks at the Montage, a walk on the beach, a “Look, dolphins!” distraction—and there he was, on one knee with photographers ready.

So now we’re headed back to Greece—the place where it all began, and where Sotiri’s roots are—to celebrate our next chapter.

(Okay okay… we know Italy is technically better—Natashya is Italian after all. But Greece and Italy are practically cousins. Let’s call it a Mediterranean compromise.)

To make it even more special, our wedding day falls on Natashya’s late Nonno’s (grandfather) birthday—the man through whom she became an Italian citizen, and someone she always hoped would be part of this moment.

We can’t wait to share our love story with you in the place where it all began.

Get ready for sunsets, dancing, and a full glass of wine!

With love,

Natashya & Sotiri