A modern day blind date, that's how we met.
During the Summer of 2017 Todd & Allison were set up by friends and encouraged to go on a "blind" date - but nothing is truly blind nowadays with social media. Rest assured, true to her investigative crime junkie ways, Allison did plenty of research before the first date. She was armed with pepper spray, Todd's last three known addresses and SSN, at least 4 exit strategies and maaaybe even a stun gun.
Following the first date, we realized how awkward the timing was. Allison was only in town for the week, and she would be living in Long Beach for a few more weeks until she graduated from nursing school. True to his always-patient form, Todd told Allison it was no issue, he would wait for her... ah the romance!
After just a couple months together, Allison moved yet again to Sacramento for work. For over a year, our relationship continued to thrive despite the long commute to see each other. During the Summer of 2019, we were finally able to close the distance gap when work brought Allison back to the Bay Area.
"Let the record show that she asked me out to Sushi first...with one of the most pun filled texts I have ever received. Literally I counted about 8 puns in 3 sentences. I wish I had it saved. I figured this could be a really bad thing or a really good thing.
Turns out it was the latter.
While I couldn't make the Sushi date, I asked if instead she wanted to go to a more romantic rooftop dinner in Walnut Creek which she agreed on. My first impressions were that this girl just glowed with intelligence and curiosity and that I wasn't going to get any hokey lines or BS stories by her. She was engaged with every word I said and had millions of questions which to this day still have not stopped coming.
The night went really well until she looked at me as though I was carrying an axe for having the nerve to order something as disgusting as mint chip ice cream. I almost called it off right there but my intuition said otherwise.Despite all this, at the end of the night I got one of the warmest and kindest hugs I have ever received AND I didn't get pepper sprayed.
I knew a date #2 was in order."
"My first impression of Todd the very first time I met him was complete and utter disgust..... because he ordered mint chip ice cream for us to share! The nerve!
In all seriousness, Todd showed up for our first date and didn't postpone despite the passing of his long time dog, Maverick, that very morning. That alone spoke volumes to me about how serious and committed he was to meet me and show me a really nice first date.
From day one, he was loyal, fun, easy to talk to, with very poor taste in ice cream. Actually as it turns out, maybe it was ME who had the poor taste in ice cream because he has officially converted me into a mint chip fanatic! An early rooftop tapas with drinks turned into strolling up and down main street, and grabbing some ice cream despite being stuffed, just to keep the evening going.
In the dates that followed, Todd showed me that he was patient, always easy to be around, worse than me at mini golf, accepting, loved to learn, committed to his family & friends, and adventurous. SOLD! "
When we had been together for about 9 months, we went on the ultimate relationship test... a 13 hour road trip (one way!) to the Grand Canyon. We had the best time together, even when Allison nearly gave Todd a heart attack by entering the Mojave desert during the afternoon of an extremely hot July day on a a little less than half tank of gas (maybe less, depends on who you ask) and no gas station for hours... If you know anything about "Todd Luck", you know why he was so worried! The conversation went a little something like "Allison, you have to start filling up before your gas light turns on." and, "Don't worry Toddy, I know my car, we will be fine!".
Allison also convinced Todd they should drive an extra 2 hours to see some cave paintings and ancient Indigenous American ruins, only to find out the cave tours had ended and all we were able to see were some were some really old strategically placed rocks on the ground... but we still had a blast together.
At the Grand Canyon, we hiked, explored, took in all the incredible views, and did a ton of bike riding (our favorite way to explore new places!). It was a really magical place to learn that without a doubt we love to be together, even when things don't go according to plan.
You can't know Todd & Allison and not know Remy.
Remy Martin Lindblom-Delahousaye (originally named Oliver at the shelter) started his journey with us on October 20, 2019. He was found as a stray and as fate would have it, we went to the shelter "just to look around, nothing serious" on Remy's first day in the doggy prison. When he looked up with his huge grin and kind-eyes from behind his doggy prison bars (pictured here, his glow-up pics are in our gallery), it was all over - he was coming with us.
Remy was different from the rest (we all say that) because he didn't want to play or chase balls, he only wanted to snuggle in our laps, and he never barked. No doubt about it, he couldn't have been a stray for very long because he was well behaved and well trained from the beginning (except for that one time he chewed through our front door frame...).
We had to wait 2 very long and anxious days before we were allowed to officially adopt him. So, to make sure no one beat us to him, we arrived 15 minutes before the shelter was to open to make sure we signed the dotted line before anyone else could! Except when we arrived.... there was a giant line of people waiting to get in. We knew it, they were without a doubt here for our boy. The only viable option was to cheat. Todd, knowing his luck, made some luck of his own and cut the line to the very front with little to no resistance from anyone. Turns out, all those people in "line" were shelter volunteers, arriving to walk the shelter dogs. OOPS! The rest is history, Remy came home with us with the cone of shame on his head after losing his manhood.
Remy is a...unique but gentle soul. If you haven't had the pleasure already, you'll get your chance to meet our lover boy at the wedding!
WARNING: Grab your tissues!
Todd's original idea was to propose on the airplane on our way to an upcoming trip to Mexico. After talking it through with some close friends and weighing the risk vs. reward benefits of pulling off a unique engagement vs. all the things that might go wrong because of his bad "Todd Luck", he decided against the original idea.
Instead, Todd recognized that one of the most cherished and important things in Allison's life is her relationship with her grandparents, Bob and Jean, simply known as Grandma & Grandpa to them. Having just celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary earlier in the year, and their official fully-vaccinated status, Todd suggested a dinner to see Grandma & Grandpa for the first time in several months.
Just before walking in to the house that they raised their 4 children and 10 grandchildren in - the same house that provided the physical walls to their incredible marriage - Todd got down and popped the question. Grandma and Grandpa were the first to know, and first to celebrate with us, and Allison would not have had it any other way.