“All along there was some invisible string tying you to me.”

🤍

The space for our welcome party holds a very special place in our hearts, as this was the first restaurant Jeremy opened 19 years ago. When Dahlia moved to Sarasota in 2012, 10 years before meeting Jeremy, Selva quickly became her favorite restaurant. She was drawn to the space that (unbeknownst to her) her future husband had created and in which spent every waking moment. For the next decade she would go on to celebrate many special occasions there: her white coat ceremony, birthday parties, work dinners, and more — never crossing paths with Jeremy.

This wasn’t the only time they were strangers passing by. Prior to opening Selva, Jeremy managed another restaurant. Dahlia studied at the Starbucks next door to that restaurant every day, often for seven hours at a time, at the exact time he worked there and frequented the Starbucks. Had they met back then, the timing wouldn’t have been right; they weren’t ready for each other yet. They were each busy building their careers and becoming the person the other dreamed about. 10 years later, their time came, at last.

Jeremy and Dahlia’s first date was on a Tuesday in July 2022 at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Saint Petersburg, FL. Being a Virgo, Dahlia obviously arrived first. But Jeremy wasn’t late — he was right on time. They were both relieved that the other was easy to talk to, as well as friendly, happy and normal. As a bonus, Dahlia was delighted that Jeremy was even taller than he claimed on his profile!

They had initially agreed to meet for a drink, but Dahlia was hungry. She worked all day and then went straight into getting ready for over an hour! So, she politely asked if it would be okay if she ordered dinner (they were at a steak house — who only gets drinks at a steak house)? She knew that if Jeremy was really the one for her, he would always be down to eat some good steak. And of course, he was! The conversation flowed easily as they got to know each other, and they were both excited for their second date before the first one was even over.

On Tuesday (seriously, what is it with them and Tuesdays?!) June 20, 2023, Jeremy proposed to Dahlia on Longboat Key Beach, which is their favorite beach to visit together. He hid the diamond in a beautiful seashell that has been in his family for many years. Fact: He first thought of the idea to propose with that very seashell in second grade! How cute is that?

Another surprise for Dahlia was that Jeremy secretly told many of their friends of his intention to propose ahead of time, so they were all there to celebrate with the happy couple!

We can't wait to make new memories with all of you by our side!