Typical office romance... Lou and Becky first met in 2008 while working together on the IT Trading Systems team at Raymond James.
Then in 2011 (both newly single), they dated briefly — let’s just say they both needed some “debugging” time.
Life took them on different paths: Lou stayed at Raymond James while raising his boys, and Becky moved on to new career opportunities, traveling as often as she could while her daughter went off to college. They stayed friendly over the years and rarely ran into one another.
Fast forward 12 years: (2023)
Becky walks into Back Bar (anyone who knows Lou, knows Back Bar) — the same spot where they used to hang out with other co workers — and there’s Lou, as if no time had passed. Did Becky think to herself whether Lou might be there that night..? maybe....
Both of them single AGAIN, and now free from the day-to-day responsibilities of raising children, the timing couldn’t have been sweeter. A 3-hour catch-up conversation later, Lou booked a proper date for the next Sunday… and the spark continued.
When Lou and Becky 'officially' moved in together (June 2024), Bayou came with him—at least on the weeks he wasn’t with his mom.
Becky, previously convinced she wasn’t a “dog person,” quickly discovered that Bayou was impossible not to love. She planned her schedule around his visits, saved him a spot next to the couch and treated him like family. When he passed in February 2025, they felt the loss deeply. He remains a treasured part of their story.
After rekindling their romance, Lou knew he wanted forever with Becky.
On May 3rd, 2025, he pulled off the ultimate surprise: a private tour of the famous wine cellar at Bern’s Steak House in Tampa, arranged with their favorite sommelier, Dustin.
Surrounded by thousands of bottles of wine—each one with its own history—Lou added a new story to the cellar that day.
With a heartfelt proposal there in the cellar, Becky said yes. (how could she not?)
They celebrated with MORE wine, perfectly capping off a love story 14 years in the making—one that, like a great wine, only got better with time.
- Both Lou and Becky were born & raised in St. Pete
- Both born at St Anthony's Hospital (10 months apart)
- Both earned their MIS degree from Eckerd College in St. Pete (years apart)
- Both have an uncle named Barry
- Both worked for Raymond James & Associates
- Both lived on the same street (a couple blocks apart) for years while married to other people without having met yet
- Both love Kettle One vodka and red wine