A love story that begins with a t-shirt and a dog-bed…

Two people (both born in Israel), made their way with their families to the San Francisco Bay Area. They grew up, graduated schools, got great jobs, and socialized all over the Bay Area without ever running into one another. Finally, with a little luck and a little (ok, a lot) of help from their families, they finally met each other.

Ella was looking for The One while making connections as a leader in the Jewish young adult community. Tom was tired of the dating market and was looking for a genuine connection. Seeing their struggles, their families - Ella’s brother Oren, his wife Dana, Dana’s mom Anita, and Tom’s mom Soly - conspired to bring them together. Oren and Dana arranged an introductory ‘double date’ that took place on August 8, 2018. Ella dressed up nicely. Tom showed up in t-shirt and jeans, with his dog Toast and a dog-bed in tow. Instead of being annoyed, Ella appreciated Tom’s down-to-earth nature, and his compassion to animals. At the end of the night, Ella and Tom exchanged numbers and agreed to meet again soon.

After several months of dating, a few months of living together, and a beautiful trip to Israel to meet their extended families, Tom decided it was time to marry the love of his life. With Dana's very excited coordination, Tom decided to pop the question at the end of Dana and Oren's wedding during the bouquet toss.

7/7/19 - it was a beautiful summer day with celebrations of love all around. Ella, totally unaware that this day would be life changing, arrived at the wedding venue with Tom who had the major surprise stored in his pocket. Oren and Dana celebrated an amazing wedding, and then came the time for the bouquet toss. Ella took her place in the line of excited single ladies, cheering as the countdown reached its finale. On the count of three, Dana pretended to throw the bouquet, but instead turned and excitedly walked over to Ella and handed her bouquet to the next unsuspecting bride. Behind Ella, Tom kneeled to one knee and got the ring ready. Cheers from the wedding guests reached a fever pitch as Ella finally turned around to see her love on his knee, asking her to spend the rest of their lives together. After finally recovering from her total shock, Ella made the best decision of her life, and said ‘YES!’