Love at last swipe...

Maayan and Zack swiped right on each other's profiles on a dating app in June of 2017 and never looked back. They met for their first date at El Techo, a rooftop bar and restaurant in San Francisco, CA, Zack's hometown and Maayan's place of birth. Maayan had recently arrived in San Francisco. She was performing throughout the West Coast and searching for a new home after years of living in New York City.

 

On that magical evening of June 15th, 2017, Zack was waiting in line for Maayan to arrive when two ladies standing in front of him started a conversation and found out he was on a first date. At that moment, Zack recalls a beautiful woman walking by. For a split second, he thought the woman might be his date, but he then thought she looked too good to be true, and she continued walking past him. The ladies asked if that was his date, and he said he didn’t think so. That’s when the woman turned around, walked over, and introduced herself.

 

Maayan recalls her mother, who was in town, discreetly dropping her off across the street for the date. Maayan had already identified Zack, who stood out from the crowd, tall and handsome. But she was so excited she needed another moment to settle into the situation, and also used the opportunity to show off her outfit. She recalls having the most amazing feeling of excitement and comfort at the same time. It felt like things were falling into place, and everything in the world made sense. This feeling never stopped.

 

Maayan and Zack couldn’t stop smiling from the moment they introduced themselves. The night continued with flowing conversation, intrigue, more smiles, and a passionate kiss at the end of the night.

 

The couple didn't play games as they went on subsequent dates shortly thereafter and could not get enough of one another. They went on many exciting and memorable dates, including concerts, great restaurants, a boat trip on the San Francisco Bay, and food and beverage festivals. The new couple traveled on many road trips across California and quickly got to know each other on a deep level.

 

One of the most memorable dates was a trip on a historic train with a full-service dinner that dropped them off at a music concert at a winery in Napa Valley. They laughed a lot, and toward the end of the night while the band was playing Maayan braved up and said those three little words for the first time. "What did you say?" Zack asked. "I love you" Maayan repeated, and the two of them teared up and kissed. They both knew they loved each other from the get-go, but that night in Napa was the night they confessed their love for the first time.

 

In the first months of Zack and Maayan's relationship, Maayan was still on tour and had shows in LA that required her to leave for trips of one to two weeks. Every time she left her heart ached and she longed to be back with Zack. For each trip, Zack would drop her off and pick her up from the Megabus bus station, and she recalls butterflies every time. This experience is quoted in one of Maayan's songs.

 

Months after meeting, the two moved in together and lived in San Francisco for several years. During those years, Maayan got the chance to also spend quality time with and get to know Zack’s parents Kay and John, and is very thankful for the wonderful bonding time as a family. Maayan’s parents Hagit and Daniel, who are based in Israel, came to visit the young couple and made wonderful memories together as well. In 2019 Zack and Maayan visited Israel, and Zack was able to bond with Maayan’s side of the family, including a very memorable chat with Maayan’s paternal grandmother (Savta) Ahuva, of blessed memory, aged 98 at the time. The family was very touched that she held onto the memory of the conversation with Zack for two weeks despite her memory loss condition. She enjoyed his background in journalism and shared with him about her early days in Philadelphia.

 

In 2020, Zack got a new job in Boise, Idaho and the couple moved there for about a year. In 2021, they moved across the country to a town just outside Nashville, Tennessee, where they bought a home and live today. They love living in beautiful countryside just a short drive from the cultural hub of Nashville. The family in San Francisco, Nashville, and Israel keeps frequent touch over FaceTime and group chat.

 

On the first night in their new home, the couple popped champagne to celebrate their new life, and that’s when Zack popped the question. Maayan said yes immediately. It's now been about a year of engagement, the pandemic is behind us, and the couple is ready to make it official and tie the knot! They look forward to continuing to build their future together. They plan to start a family with babies and dogs as well as a business together. With the utmost joy, Zack and Maayan invite you to join them as the two families become one on their wedding day!