The One With Dom and Aggie DiBartolomeo

Summary

Episode Summary: "The One With Dom and Aggie DiBartolomeo"

For Love and Chocolate Episode released on February 26, 2025, hosted by Tommy and Tara Gallop, delves into the sweet intricacies of love and relationships, complemented by delectable Swiss chocolates from Beverly Hills. This episode features a heartwarming guest appearance by Dominic and Aggie DiBartolomeo, owners of the esteemed Cheese Store of Beverly Hills. Below is a detailed summary capturing the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

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1. Hosts’ Vacation Recap [00:12 - 04:11]

Tommy and Tara Gallop kick off the episode by sharing tales from their recent vacation up the Ventura coast. They recount the simple joys of surfing alongside their beloved mini dachshund, Phineas, highlighting the challenges of finding a properly fitting wetsuit for their furry friend.

Tara Gallop shares a touching moment:

“We picked up a shell and held it to our ears. At first, I thought I heard the waves, but then beautiful music started to play out of the shell. It was magical.” (01:58)

This enchanting experience on a moonlit beach sets a romantic tone, embodying the essence of the podcast’s celebration of love.

2. Mailbag Segment [04:11 - 09:22]

The hosts address two listener letters, offering heartfelt advice based on their own experiences and relationship philosophies.

a. Letter from Lucky in Love [04:11 - 06:34]

A 47-year-old divorced mother of two seeks guidance on dating two men simultaneously without feeling ready to commit. Tommy and Tara emphasize the importance of honesty and maintaining clear boundaries.

Tara Gallop advises:

“I think it's okay for you to date as many guys as you like, just as long as you are being honest with all of them.” (05:58)

They encourage embracing the dating process while prioritizing transparency and self-respect.

b. Letter from Clara [06:34 - 09:22]

Clara struggles to balance her inherited large number of cats with her desire to find a boyfriend. The hosts suggest being upfront about her situation and consider rehoming some cats to reduce the burden.

Tara Gallop offers practical advice:

“Maybe be upfront from the beginning, you know? And also, I don't think there's anything wrong with you rehoming a few of the kitties.” (08:33)

This segment underscores the significance of honesty and self-care in relationships.

3. Guest Interview: Dominic and Aggie DiBartolomeo [09:32 - 41:05]

Dominic and Aggie share their enchanting love story intertwined with their passion for fine cheeses and gourmet foods.

a. Introduction to Guests and Their Business [09:32 - 10:38]

Dominic and Aggie own the renowned Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, recently relocated to Santa Monica Boulevard. Their store is celebrated for its exquisite selection of imported cheeses, meats, and top-tier wines.

Tara Gallop praises their establishment:

“Their wine selection isn't very large, but it is the best of the best. Every wine I've ever had from there is just spectacular.” (10:04)

b. Their Love Story [11:35 - 37:59]

Dominic and Aggie recount how fate brought them together in 2003 at their cheese store. Aggie, a personal shopper, needed a special gift and met Dominic while selecting items at the store.

Aggie DiBartolomeo reminisces:

“I thought he was like an actor on the Sopranos. I was so busy and had no time, but something about him caught my eye.” (16:08)

Their first encounter was serendipitous, marked by mutual attraction and a series of delightful interactions. Despite initial hesitations, their connection blossomed into a deep and lasting relationship.

Dominic DiBartolomeo shares:

“Our relationship was so natural, there was no nervousness, just fun.” (28:07)

Aggie DiBartolomeo adds:

“He made me feel very comfortable. I didn't feel weird.” (28:29)

c. Engagement and Wedding [32:06 - 37:59]

Dominic's traditional proposal involved asking Aggie’s father for permission, blending heartfelt sincerity with personal touches. Their wedding in New York City was a beautiful celebration of their love, complete with custom-designed rings and a honeymoon in Anguilla and Saint Barts.

Dominic DiBartolomeo describes the proposal:

“I asked her permission to marry her on my birthday. It was the greatest birthday gift.” (33:31)

Their 17-year marriage is fueled by mutual respect, shared passions, and the excitement of running a successful business together.

4. Advice for Young Couples [40:35 - 41:05]

Before concluding the guest segment, Dominic and Aggie offer valuable advice to listeners seeking love:

Dominic DiBartolomeo advises:

“Find someone that you truly love for who they are as a person, and everything else will fall into place.” (40:48)

Aggie DiBartolomeo adds:

“Your relationship should feel easy.” (40:51)

Their insights emphasize the importance of genuine connection and ease in cultivating enduring love.

5. Romantic Weekend in the Bag [38:07 - 40:25]

The episode features a special promotion, the Romantic Weekend in the Bag, curated by the hosts. This elegant package includes:

• French Champagne: Perfect for toasting love.
• Cocoa and Chocolate Dusted Almonds: From Lubik, Germany, enhancing the romantic experience.
• Hollywood Scented Candle: A commemorative fragrance celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Hollywood sign.
• Love and Chocolate Body Butter: To add a touch of indulgence.

Dominic and Aggie express their appreciation:

“This was so fun. Thank you so much for having us.” (40:22)

6. Closing Remarks [41:05 - 42:20]

Tommy and Tara wrap up the episode by reflecting on the delightful interactions with Dominic and Aggie. They express their admiration for the couple's enduring love and business acumen, inviting listeners to embody similar values in their own relationships.

Tommy Gallop muses:

“Is it just me or do you also feel like just getting a beautiful bowl of spaghetti marinara and a fantastic bottle of wine and enjoying it under the magical moonlight?” (41:55)

The hosts bid farewell, promising more adventures in love and chocolate in upcoming episodes.

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Key Takeaways:

• Authentic Connection: Dominic and Aggie’s story underscores the importance of genuine attraction and mutual respect in building a lasting relationship.
• Honesty in Dating: The hosts emphasize transparency and integrity, whether navigating multiple relationships or balancing personal responsibilities with love.
• Balancing Love and Business: Managing a successful business alongside a thriving relationship is achievable through shared passions and continuous support.
• Romantic Gestures: Thoughtful acts, such as Dominic’s creative proposal, can significantly strengthen romantic bonds.

This episode beautifully intertwines personal narratives with practical advice, celebrating the magic of love and the richness of sweet moments.

Transcript

[Mr. Truffles]

From deep in the heart of Beverly Hills, you found For Love and chocolate with Mr. And Mrs. Truffles.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Well, welcome back to the podcast. It's so good to be back in the studio.

[Mr. Truffles]

It really is. But we had a pretty wonderful vacation, didn't we?

[Mrs. Truffles]

We did. We took the little trip we talked about in the last episode and it was so much fun.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah. It was just sweet and simple and we just went right up the coast of Ventura.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah. Not too far, but really good surfing. Yeah. Mr. Truffles and Phineas got some good waves in.

[Mr. Truffles]

We did.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah. It wasn't easy to find a wetsuit to fit a long haired, mini dachshund, but he insisted.

[Mr. Truffles]

He's like, daddy, if we're gonna do this, you're gonna find me a wetsuit and it's gonna fit properly.

[Mrs. Truffles]

We don't want him to be cold.

[Mr. Truffles]

No, no. But he rocked that wetsuit and he was quite the surfer.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yes. And it was very overcast most of the weekend.

[Mr. Truffles]

Mm. Yep. Although Tuesday night.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yes. Something happened Tuesday night when the clouds started to part and the full MO through.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah. It was so bright.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Beckoned us to a moonlight walk on the beach.

[Mr. Truffles]

It's like, we gotta. We gotta bring the dogs. Let's hit the beach, sweetheart.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Just the two of us walking along, hand in hand with our three little dogs.

[Mr. Truffles]

They were so happy to be with us. They loved the beach. And then off in the distance, we saw something glistening.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yes, we saw something glistening in the moonlight.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah. And so we realized as we got closer, this beautiful conch shell had picked up the light of the moon.

[Mrs. Truffles]

And so we picked up the shell.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yep.

[Mrs. Truffles]

And we held it to our ears.

[Mr. Truffles]

At first, I thought I heard the waves of the ocean, just the sounds of the sea. But then we listened a little bit more closely and this beautiful music started to play out of the shell.

[Mrs. Truffles]

It was magical.

[Mr. Truffles]

It really was. Unforgettable. That's what you are Unforgettable Though near or far Like a song of love that clings to me how the thought of you does things to me Never before has someone been more unforgettable in every way and forevermore that's how you'll stay that's why, darling it's incredible that someone so unforgettable Things that I am unforgettable too.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Oh, Mr. Truffles, I love that shell.

[Mr. Truffles]

Beautiful. And you know, as much as you wanted to take it with you, we left it on the beach, didn't we?

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yes. We left it for the next romantic couple to come along and find It.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah. And have that shell sing to them, too. Speaking of romance, I think it's time for mailbag.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Okay, Mr. Truffles, what have we got in the mailbag today?

[Mr. Truffles]

Okay, so this is from Lucky in love. Dear Mr. And Mrs. Truffles, I am a 47 year old divorced mother of two, and after 22 years of marriage, I'm finally out in the dating pool. Although I was somewhat reticent early on, I've now found this new chapter to be very exciting and invigorating. I met a gentleman three weeks ago that I'm really crazy about, but I'm not ready to close off all other channels. And then just last week, I met another man who I'm also feeling the feels for. Is it okay for me to continue to see both of them? I mean, it's only been three weeks with one and one week with the other. I don't feel like a commitment is necessary at this point. But do I need to tell them about each other at this juncture or can I just let it play out? Well, okay. Lucky in love.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yes.

[Mr. Truffles]

Look at you getting out there, girl.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Good for you.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yes. I mean, we do have some rules, you know. There are. They're not necessarily going to be your rules, but we have our own.

[Mrs. Truffles]

They're not hard and fast rules. No, but they're just guidelines.

[Mr. Truffles]

Guidelines to live by.

[Mrs. Truffles]

But I would say that I'm very happy for you that you are back out there and enjoying your single life.

[Mr. Truffles]

It sounds like she's really embracing it. Yeah. And meeting some wonderful guys.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah, right? That's fantastic.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah. I think it's okay for you to date as many guys as you like, just as long as you are not sleeping with any of them and that you're being honest with all of them. That you're out there dating other people.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yes, yes.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah. Just other than that, just be safe and just have fun. Have a great time.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah. I think you're doing it right. I do, Lucky. And I think that when you meet that one guy, that one special guy, I just think you'll know. I think it'll hit you like a bolt of lightning.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah. Like a bolt of lightning.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah. Anyway, thanks for writing in and best of luck. What else you got, Mrs. Truffles.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Okay, Mr. Truffles. Well, what else have we in the bag today?

[Mr. Truffles]

Let's see. Dear Mr. And Mrs. Truffles, my favorite aunt passed away last year and generously left me her entire estate, including a beautiful old home in Pasadena. Unfortunately, part of her estate includes a large Number of cats. Including an entire litter of Siamese cats that are only five years old. As much as I love the feline family she left behind, I find that it is interfering with my ability to find a boyfriend. The last few great dates I went on all seemed to turn tail once I told them about my burden. Have you any good advice for how I can honor my dear departed aunt and not also end up as a lonely cat lady spinster? Sincerely, Clara.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Well, Clara, that is a very interesting situation you find yourself in.

[Mr. Truffles]

It doesn't sound perfect. Perfect.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Well, first of all, deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved aunt.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yes, that's right.

[Mrs. Truffles]

She sounds like a wonderful woman. And congratulations on the beautiful new home in Pasadena for you.

[Mr. Truffles]

It's a real gift. And that's her legacy that she's passing down along with a lot of cats.

[Mrs. Truffles]

So sweet of you to take on that burden and care for her beloved little kitty family.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah. But, you know, I can understand why that might be a little off putting to some guys. You know, it's. It's like saying, I have 10 kids, you know, like one or two cats. Most people aren't gonna mind that, but a whole bunch of cats. Yeah.

[Mr. Truffles]

Something of cats.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah, It's a clutter of cats.

[Mr. Truffles]

A clutter of cats.

[Mrs. Truffles]

A whole clutter of cats. Sounds like a lot of work and a big responsibility. I really think, though, that there is the right guy out there for you. I don't think you have to choose between caring for the kitties and finding love.

[Mr. Truffles]

It might take a little longer, but he's out there.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah. Just maybe be up front from the beginning, you know? And also, I don't think there's anything wrong with you rehoming a few of the kitties. I think that's fine if you found them really wonderful people to love them and care for them, maybe reduce your burden a little bit.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah. Clara, listen. I mean, there are a lot of animal lovers out there, and I'm sure given the time and patience. You sound lovely. I bet you're gonna find the right guy. Who knows? Maybe he comes to the table with a whole bunch of raccoons.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah. Or pet giraffes or ostriches.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Yeah.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Which wouldn't really be a great match for cats, but it could work.

[Mr. Truffles]

Listen, never say never.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Were we helpful to her at all?

[Mr. Truffles]

I don't think so.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Well, it is a very fuzzy situation.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Yeah.

[Mr. Truffles]

I'm gonna be scratching my head for a long time on this one, Sweetheart.

[Mrs. Truffles]

All right, Mr. Truffles, why don't we talk a little bit about our delicious guests we're having on today.

[Mr. Truffles]

Our very delicious guests, Dominic and Aggie DiBartolomeo own what is probably our favorite store in the whole world.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yes. The cheese store of Beverly Hills.

[Mr. Truffles]

The cheese store of Beverly Hills.

[Mrs. Truffles]

It is a magical place.

[Mr. Truffles]

It's been around for over. They just moved to Santa Monica Boulevard.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Which is probably the most beautiful store in Beverly Hills. Even prettier than Deutscher. I love that new store.

[Mr. Truffles]

Oh, they've done such a beautiful job. And they do incredible cheeses, imported cheeses and meats and wines from all over the world.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Oh, yeah. Their wine selection isn't very large, but it is the best of the best. I don't know how they do it, but every wine I've ever had from there is just spectacular.

[Mr. Truffles]

On top of that, Dominic has been making tapenades and sun dried tomatoes for the better of 20 years.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah. It's an exquisite selection of delicacies.

[Mr. Truffles]

Oh, yeah.

[Mrs. Truffles]

And they are an amazing, romantic, deeply in love couple.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yes.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah. And we're going to hear all about.

[Mr. Truffles]

That right when we come back.

[Mrs. Truffles]

We'll be right back with Dominic and aggie.

[Mr. Truffles]

For over 40 years, Toy Share has been a staple in the Beverly Hills community. Like so many other families in the community, our family has had a long standing love affair with toys. Over the years, we form traditions and memories around these extraordinary Swiss chocolates and the enchanting wonderland of fantasy truffle boxes inside our store. Today, our family is proud to be carrying on the toy shoe tradition in Beverly Hills. All right, well, welcome back to the podcast. We've been accused of many things with this podcast. I don't think we've ever. We've never been accused of. Of being cheesy on the podcast, have we?

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

No.

[Mrs. Truffles]

You did not just do that job.

[Mr. Truffles]

I did. So I want you to say something for me, sweetheart. Okay.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Say debarta lameo debartola mayo.

[Mr. Truffles]

Okay. Well, our guest couple are the dibartalameos, Dominic and Aggie. Welcome. Welcome to the show, guys.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Thank you so much for having us.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Thank you. Great pronunciation. Did you like that? Most people don't get that, right.

[Mr. Truffles]

What I should have said was pizzulo di martolameo.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Oh, Dash Bartolomeo, maiden name Bezzullo, went from one long Italian name to a much longer Italian name.

[Mrs. Truffles]

So fantastic. Your parents must be very proud.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Oh, yes, yes, they are.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

It's what we call an upgrade.

[Mr. Truffles]

It's upgrade. Dominic. So great to have you guys. I will say I Met Dominic. Probably 15 years ago at the Beverly Hills Farmer's Market.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Yeah. You remember meeting Dominic?

[Mr. Truffles]

I do. I've known him for the better part of 15 years.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Wow.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Although I want to say it might even be longer than that. We'll say 15 years just for the bromance.

[Mr. Truffles]

Just grew from there.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Yeah.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah. Bromance with Mr. Truffles. So, Mrs. Truffles, let's launch.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Let's get into it. It's such a pleasure to have you here.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Thank you very much, and thank you.

[Mrs. Truffles]

We're excited to get into your story and hear all about how you two first met.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Okay, I will start with the story. I think it's a great story, actually, because it's very. It's a little bit of a rand. It's very random. Like, I feel like we were meant to meet. And as most people shared, see, it was 2003. December of 2003. I sort of had an idea of what I was looking for, and I wasn't going to settle. Everyone always says you will find it when you're not looking for it, when you least expect it, or you're not looking for it. I had been working as a personal shopper.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Who were you working as a personal shopper for?

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

I was working with a woman named Dana Asher. And I know she's still around, so shout out to Dana.

[Mr. Truffles]

Hi, Dana.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

And she's the best. I had been working with her for maybe, I don't know, maybe a year or so. I had shopped on Rodeo and Beverly Drive. I had, you know, been up and down those streets a million times a day, buying, returning this and that. I had never been in the cheese store of Beverly Hill. One day I had to go in there. I had to get a gift for somebody for a client. Actually, it wasn't even cheese. It was a. What they call a. What was it? A chocolate Girole.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

A Girol. Right. It's called a Girol.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

So it was a Girol.

[Mr. Truffles]

Okay.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

I didn't even think I knew what that was. I don't know what that was.

[Mrs. Truffles]

I still don't.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

It's like a shaver. It's a round.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

So you put this. You put a cheese or a piece of chocolate on it, and then you, like, you kind of put it in a circle, and it makes these beautiful little petals. Either with the cheese, you can create a flower. Yes, exactly.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Right.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

And what's that called? A Girol. It's actually Swiss.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

So it's the. It was the Girol when I walked in the. As you know, at Christmas Time. The cheese store is completely packed. You could barely get in there. I made my way in there. I asked for the Girol. Another gentleman helped me who had been there for many, many years, like before I even started. His name is Rafi.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Rafi.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Do you remember Rafi? Okay, so Raffi helped me. I had to get a gift wrap. When I walked in, I did spot Dom at the end where his station was. For a split second, I thought to myself, oh, he's kind of cute. I'm like, he looks like he could be like part of my family. He looks like he could be like a cousin or tall, dark and handsome. Hard to find, but so, like, kind of like eyed him. But I was so busy and I had no time. Gotta go. Got a million places to be. Got the Girol. I ordered it. Rafi said, can you come back in about 20 minutes to half an hour if you want it gift wrapped. We just, you know, it's gonna take a little time. I left, went back 30 minutes later, the store had clear. So when I walk back in, maybe there were two or three people in the store. I walk in, out comes Dominic on a white horse. Yeah, he just like walks out, had no idea you were there in his New York accent. Says to me, oh, you're in, you're out. What are you doing? You're coming in, you're coming out. You're back now. What are you doing? And I was like, what?

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

You know, Raffi, who was helping her, was like, hey, you should probably come out and help this girl. She's like, she's beautiful.

[Mr. Truffles]

I was, I honestly was gonna ask, is there like a secret code you guys give each other to the single guys? It's like, you're gonna want to help this next.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Yeah, I mean, I mean, he was doing a solid. He was doing a solid. There's no doubt about it.

[Mr. Truffles]

Because Rob was married.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Well, yeah, he's a very mysterious person. He's the Jiroche version.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Yes.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

And I never knew this until way later.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

So he said, you should come out and help this girl.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Before you knew it, he was feeding me sun dried tomatoes that he had just started selling at the store.

[Mr. Truffles]

Which, by the way, is his love language.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Yes, it is. It is definitely his love language. Obviously it works, right? So he's like, oh, here, try these sun dried tomatoes. And wait, do you want to try these stuffed peppers? I'm like, okay, sure. And try this cheese.

[Mr. Truffles]

Flirty, definite beans. You're in.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

So I got a lot of samples. You know, I grew up back East. I'm Italian. I grew up a certain way, and I always had this idea of who I would marry. Well, I always thought I wanted to try to marry a nice Italian guy.

[Mr. Truffles]

Sweet.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

I mean, you can ask my friends and have my little checklist. It's a very funny checklist from New York. Italian guy, Italian last name.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Let me cut the. I checked all the boxes. I just saved us 40 minutes on the catch.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

So we're talking as he's, like, feeding me. I asked him what his name was, and he said Dominic. So even just saying Dominic, that's a very east coast Italian name. I knew right away. I thought he was like an actor. He was trying to be an actor on the Sopranos. I literally thought he was an actor on the Sopranos. I said, what's your last name? And he said, dibartolomeo. And I was like, no, it's not. And he's like, yeah, it is. And I'm like, are you serious? Now my mind's going like this. Like, what is going. This is crazy. We talked and then, I don't know, what, did you say you had, like, an aunt Aggie or something?

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

I did, because Aggie is not like a very common name. Like, I actually did have an aunt Aggie. Aggie is like an old school, back in the day name. Like, now it's like a little bit more popular.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

But the finale of this was that I got my gift to go. And then he said, would you like a loaf of bread to take with you?

[Mrs. Truffles]

Aw, dumb. Here's the way he was saying, I.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Take a fresh loaf of bread with you. And I was like, oh, okay.

[Mr. Truffles]

It's like old school. Like the old country.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Yeah, it's what you do.

[Mr. Truffles]

Take a loaf bread.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

And I was like, sure. And, you know, I had a million other places to go. I was like, probably going to, like, Prada after that. And I'm like, okay, I just travel along with my fresh loaf of bread. Today. I took my loaf of bread and I walked out of the store. Was like, that was interesting. Called my best friend. And I went, I think I just met someone kind of interesting. But we didn't exchange numbers.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

So this was long ago. Okay, so I didn't have a cell phone at the time. Like, there was like, the back line to the cheese store. We had the back line of the cheese store that I would use as my answering service.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Okay, well, anyway, we just did an exchange numbers. I walked out. I thought to myself, well, I know where to find him. So I'm Gonna have to go back.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah, so, so if I can back up, please. Obviously you were interested. You don't just give random loaves of bread to women. Right. Okay, so, but, but in your mind, were you thinking, I should have gotten her number or that's inappropriate or.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Well, it was, it was kind of interesting. So I probably shouldn't have gotten her number. But isn't there like, there's like some three day policy? You don't, you do. I, I, I honestly, I don't. I don't know. It was like, it was like, it.

[Mr. Truffles]

Was like a dating Mrs. Tr. Mrs. Training in.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

By the way, I don't know if you guys know this, but I am five years older than him.

[Mr. Truffles]

Okay.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

So at the time he was what, were 27?

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah, just a boy.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

And he had just broken up with his college girlfriend.

[Mr. Truffles]

Oh.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

I think he was just like, oh.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

This was just another beautiful girl hitting on me.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

I definitely think I was the more like flirtatious one.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Very forward as we say.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

But that's probably why I even liked him more. He just was like not trying too hard.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

I was trying to start a sun dried tomato business. I didn't.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Yeah, he was just like funny and nice. Not something that you run into. He was definitely like straight out of east coast.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah.

[Mr. Truffles]

So how did the, how did the next meet? Had to go back.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

So part two, that was a Thursday when I met him.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yep.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Okay, I'm gonna have to go back to the store. So I said to myself, to see him or. Yeah, to go back, see if at that time I didn't know if he had a girlfriend. I didn't know if he was married. I was very weary. Like, who knows this guy? He could, he seemed great, but you never know. Do you remember back in the day there was the bagel place up the street like next door to like coffee beans. I used to go to St. Urban every morning and get my little bagel. I met him on a Thursday, I believe it was Monday. So I said, I'll let a couple days go by.

[Mr. Truffles]

Okay.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

It was that following Monday. Got my bagel, was walking down the street and I was going to go back in. I remember looking down and thinking to myself, I started chickening out and I was like, I'm not gonna go back in there. I'll do it another day, just not today. And I was looking down and I was walking and I was literally talking to myself as I'm starting to walk past the cheese store. I look up and he's there. I am on my horse he's standing.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Coming north on Beverly Drive.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

He's standing on the sidewalk outside of the cheese store with two other guys.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Yeah.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Alfredo and Anthony that we still know. Basically bumped into him.

[Mr. Truffles]

Wait, like just shooting the shit outside?

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Yes. He was just. Yeah, we're just hanging out.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Like, we're just like cars are going.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

By, we're taking a little bit of a shit in my path.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Yeah. Like the old neighborhood.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

And I literally was looking down. I just remember lifting my head and seeing him right there. And I was like, oh my God, I can't believe this. This is crazy.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

He's so much better looking this close up. That's what she was telling herself.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

I kind of walked up top. Hi. And he looked at me and he went, aggie, Right. So I was like, oh, he remembered my name.

[Mr. Truffles]

Damn. Oh, good on you.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Which was very good. Which was very good.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Like I said, I had an aunt Aggie. So it was like, you don't hear those names out in la, but kill the moment. But also too like this beautiful woman comes up to you, taps you on the shoulder again. Just like the third time it happened to me that day.

[Mrs. Truffles]

I'm just kidding.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

We started talking. He had a little, his little notepad in his apron. He took my number down. I was happy. I was like, okay, got my numbers. Meanwhile, a week goes by, I don't hear from them.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Oh no.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Well, there's a rule, right? It's like a three day rule.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Why are you reading those rules?

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Newly single. Newly single. So I really didn't know. Trying to, I, I legit was probably working like back then I worked a ton and Christmas was like kind of nuts. Cuz like you're working like, but you're 20 hours.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yes, pretty girl.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

A thousand percent.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

I'm interested. Yeah.

[Mr. Truffles]

So of course. Were you playing it cool? Is that what you were doing?

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

He was not trying to play a coal. He just was, was super busy and just wasn't really thinking about it.

[Mr. Truffles]

No, he was, he was like, oh, there's a three day rule. But on Christmas I have seven days.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Yeah.

[Mr. Truffles]

But if it's a Sunday, then I've got eight.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

I wasn't that upset or annoyed about it. It just, it didn't bother me.

[Mr. Truffles]

Okay.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

So I had a friend who was a personal chef and she had to go into the store. She said, oh, I'm going in the cheese store today. I gotta go get some. Oh, I go, that guy Dom works in there. Tell him I said hi.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

I think Adonis. She didn't say guy said Adonis but anyway, I remember a little bit differently.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

She goes, oh, yeah, okay. He didn't call you yet? I'm gonna say something to him. I'm like, well, just tell him I said hi. You don't have to get all crazy about it. So she said, are you dumb? He said, yes. She said, are you gonna call my friend or what? So he was like, hold on, I have her number.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

I pulled out that little notepad that.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

We spoke about on the spot while she was in the store. Oh, okay. Now, if you could have, like, cameras on, like, where we all were at the moment. He was in the store. I was at my apartment in Los Feliz. I was getting ready for a Christmas party. I missed his call. You left me a voicemail. My friend's name? I said, he left me a voicemail. Listen to it. So she listens to the voicemail before you listen to the voice. And he left the cheese store line. The number?

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Please call between 10 and 6. Monday through Saturday, close Sundays.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

He had a roommate. It was a girl chef, right? Why didn't he leave a cell phone? Why is he leaving me the cheese store number? Why is he leaving me a landline number? Does he have a girlfriend? You start thinking all these things. I don't call him back because I'm going to a party and my friend deleted the message.

[Mr. Truffles]

So you lost the message.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

So I lost the numbers. So I called him. I couldn't call him back. That's what happened. Goes, oh, my God, I just deleted it. And she goes, I deleted it. Oh, my God, I'm so sorry. And so at first I was like, oh, no. And then I said, well, that's probably better, because seem like I'm too available. I was like, I gotta go back to the cheese store now. So I did another return. I walked into the cheese store. There was nobody in there. He was at his station. I walk in, I was, hi. And he's like, oh, you lost your chance. Forget about it. You didn't call me back. Lost your chance.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

And this was past three days for the whole thing?

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

No, no, no. I just wanted to come and say hi. And I'm, like, starting to get really embarrassed and blush. I just wanted to get out of there. As I was doing that, I was, like, literally backing up and tiptoeing out the door. I was halfway up. And he's like, but wait, what are you doing to. Oh, nothing.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

I had a cancellation, guys.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

And then he's like, oh, do you want to meet for a drink later tonight?

[Mrs. Truffles]

All right.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

And Then that's the story.

[Mrs. Truffles]

And where did you guys meet for a drink?

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Okay, can I, can I at least, at least shed one sort of fact that I remember from this whole thing? Trocadero, Sunset. And here's what's interesting. So I went to a Trocadero on Sunset.

[Mr. Truffles]

Still there.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

I had been invited to this scotch tasting. So I had a little bit of scotch and I went to this bar. By the way, like, didn't have two sticks to rub together. Like, I was probably one of the few guys that took the bus, didn't have a car, whatever. I wound up having, like, do we have a glass of whiskey? We managed to meet before she even got there. I had a glass of. And I remember this very well. Johnny Walker Blue was the only first and last time I've ever ordered that drink. That credit card statement may have gone to my parents. I don't even know if I was paying for it at the time.

[Mr. Truffles]

Isn't it?

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Yeah, well, back then it was probably like maybe 45, but still like, expensive. Right? Like, I basically, I took a shot. I was waiting for her to come, and then I showed up.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

But you lived right down the street.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

I did. I lived down the street. I live in West Hollywood.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

You walked? Yeah, of course I walked. I didn't have a car. But I love the way he put it. He goes, you know, I'm a true New Yorker. I don't have a car.

[Mr. Truffles]

Oh, good, good.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Take the bus.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

I was like, that's a real smooth way.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Couldn't tell I was making $8 an hour. The true New Yorker sounds way better than.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Yeah. I was like, oh, okay, okay. I like that.

[Mr. Truffles]

You seeing the rest of these. Oh, my God.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

But very charming. And we like hit it off. We had a drink, we had our first little kiss.

[Mrs. Truffles]

You had your first kiss that night.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

We leaned across the table and across the cute little kiss.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Wow.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

She jumped across the table, couldn't keep her hands off me. It was very awkward.

[Mrs. Truffles]

No, but, but how did that go down? So you guys are sitting there across the table, you're having some scotch. Okay, so you had. I probably had a glass of wine. And you're just sitting there and you're really connecting. You're feeling the, the New York. You're feeling that kind of family.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Like, you guys, like a 100% and love connection. Connection.

[Mrs. Truffles]

What made you someone think they could lean across for a kiss? Like, how did that.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

I don't even remember.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Despite being this good looking, I'm very approachable.

[Mr. Truffles]

Interesting. Yeah.

[Mrs. Truffles]

So. So you were just looking at her across the table, and you're like, she's gonna be receptive.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Okay. So I kind of was like, I bet you want to kiss me.

[Mrs. Truffles]

What did you say?

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

I said, you probably want to kiss me. Remember? How could I forget?

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Oh, yeah. Okay. Oh, my God.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

It was one of those things where it was just so much fun, like, hanging out. Like, we legitimate had, like, a great time just hanging out. Like, it wasn't thinking about anything else. Like, it was just, like, really fun, because I can't really articulate it, but it's like when you. When you felt like you've notice somebody, but you really don't like.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Okay, so you. So you guys are there across the table, you're having a drink, you are hitting it off like you've never done with anyone. It's just so good, so natural. And so then you. And you were just feeling so good about her reaction to everything you were saying.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

It probably was a scotch, but yes.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah. And you just said, I bet you want to kiss me right now.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah.

[Mrs. Truffles]

And she leaned in, or you did?

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

I think we both leaned in.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Like, just kind of crossed the table. Wow.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

It was simultaneous.

[Mrs. Truffles]

And that was it. You guys have just. You just knew that was it.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Yes, Well, I did.

[Mrs. Truffles]

That's amazing.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Yeah. Okay, next steps.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

So the night of Chocoadero, our first time, we got together, we had our little first kiss. I parked across. I think it's still there. Cabo Cantina. There's a parking lot above Cabo Cantina. I had parked there, walked across the street to Chocadero Dom. His apartment. It was right down the street. Right down Sweetser. Yes, that's right after Chocadero, we went back to his apartment.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Nothing happened.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

I wound up sleeping over there. Whoa, whoa. Okay. But it was super innocent. I am a good Italian girl got.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Locked, so we didn't have a choice. But for her, there was a note over then.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

This is important to the story. The next morning, we got up, he walked me to the parking lot, and I specifically remember he put on his little beanie, and it was. It was Subway Series, Mets and Yankees. So I'm a huge Yankee fan, and that is one. One of the things on my list. List? Oh, he's got to be my silly list checklist. He was a Yankee fan.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Wow. You found a Yankee fan in la. That's amazing.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Exactly. So there was, like, all these little things. So he had this little beanie on in the morning with a Subway series, and he took my hand, and we were walking up to the parking lot and I thought to myself, I think this is going to be the one.

[Mr. Truffles]

Oh, wow.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Wow. It's remarkable how much I hear from people in these stories, how they just kind of knew right away.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Yeah, yeah.

[Mrs. Truffles]

That's amazing.

[Mr. Truffles]

So, Dom, I'm going to put you on the screen spot.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Oh, please.

[Mr. Truffles]

Where were you? What were your thoughts at the same time?

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

We had such a great time. I was like, yeah, amazing. Like, I thought she was incredible. I thought that we had like, we had such a natural relationship that it really, like there was no nervousness, There was nothing. It was just like fun.

[Mr. Truffles]

No putting up errors.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

And the broad slept over the first night. No, I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. Like, we just like, we hung out. It was amazing.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

He made me feel very comfortable. I didn't feel weird.

[Mrs. Truffles]

When you were sleeping in his apartment, did he let you have the bed and he took the couch or how did that work out?

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Yeah, actually had like, like a futon or something. Remember, like our feet were like hanging off the futon and he made some joke about our feet going into the closet.

[Mr. Truffles]

You're both on the futon.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

It was like a bed. I do remember laughing.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Could be a couch.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

I remember laughing so hard because like our legs were hanging off the futon.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

By the way, we're 4ft 3.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Yeah, exactly. We're not really tall people. Like, it was just fun. Yeah. I met him when he was making sun dried tomatoes in a bowl, a large bowl in the back.

[Mr. Truffles]

We've not launched the farmer's market yet.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Beginning.

[Mr. Truffles]

What year was your first farmers market?

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

2004.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah, take my kids every Sunday to the Beverly Hills farmers market.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

So.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

And to put things in perspective, I was working it. Yeah, Yeah, I was working. So I was like, that was like early, early on.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

So he didn't have a car. So I started driving around and I wound up getting a convertible bug. The triple green's got money. I was actually, let's do this. I was working for the head of Sony Pictures at the time. I was part of the farmers market. We didn't know what we were doing. We put tables and bins and all this stuff.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Nobody was nice enough to let me use that little block house at the cheese store.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Yes.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

We pull up, I load up the bug, the Volkswagen. So we load up the thing and we take it to the Beverly Hills farm. Like I had to make fortraips.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

You mean like fortraips trucks were showing up in a convertible bug. Oh my God. What are we.

[Mr. Truffles]

What did I Just get that's how.

[Mrs. Truffles]

It's really a cute story.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Holy shit.

[Mr. Truffles]

From the beginning, I mean. But I love that you recognize that you adore and love him, but his potential as a businessman, entrepreneur. And you're like, you know what, I'm gonna take this ride.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

I don't know, I just.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

The white horse.

[Mr. Truffles]

Oh my. Now it's just like a radio flyer. He's bringing wheels. Just wheels of cheese and sun dried tomatoes on his wagon.

[Mrs. Truffles]

But there's something so cute and endearing about a young man who just has a vision and is just willing to work as hard as it takes to make it happen.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Yeah.

[Mrs. Truffles]

How do you not like fall for that? That's so charming.

[Mr. Truffles]

So I'm also taken by the fact that not to be disparaging, you're beautiful and you're funny.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Thank you very much.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

So together I have a Facebook radio, hence no video on this podcast.

[Mr. Truffles]

But you were clearly more moneyed than he was, right?

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

I mean at the time I was, I was making pretty good money.

[Mr. Truffles]

Pretty good money.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

He was crushing.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Just was. Like I said, when you kind of know, you know, you know.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

And he was always attentive and respectful. He was, he was just a of gentleman. You could tell he was very sincere. He just was trying to figure out what he was going to do. Plus he was young, but he wasn't like a partier kind of guy.

[Mrs. Truffles]

So Aggie, you kind of knew almost immediately.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

I knew and I was older than him, so I was just like, can we just get this going?

[Mrs. Truffles]

So from your side, when did you first realize that you were falling in love?

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Kind of early on I was like, oh my God. Like, like, yeah, like I think this girl's amazing. And then. When did you meet my parents? That's when I met your parents.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Four months in, he met my parents.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Cut. Parents alike.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Yeah, his parents. I felt like they could be my aunt, uncle.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Yeah, it was, it was same thing, like vice versa. So it was like, it was crazy. Like her brother's a die hard Yankee fan. Like the whole thing.

[Mrs. Truffles]

So have you guys done 23andMe? Because they might actually be here.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Yeah, we're afraid to do that.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

I know.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

My sister.

[Mr. Truffles]

Aggie, when did your parents meet each other?

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Our parents met each other.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

They were visiting with your aunt uncle.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

There we go. My aunt uncle.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

And they went to my parents house and we had a big barbecue in the backyard.

[Mr. Truffles]

How'd that?

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Amazing.

[Mr. Truffles]

Fantastic.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

We're all sort of cut from the same cloth.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Yeah, it was kind of cool because like I thought about it. I didn't have any money. I was trying to start a business. It's really hard to explain to a girl that you work at a cheese store.

[Mrs. Truffles]

I mean, let's put that in perspective.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Yeah, Like, I work at a cheese store. Like, who the hell works at a cheese store? I didn't even know there were such a thing as a cheese store. Right? Like, she's like, no, no, no. Mom and dad. Like, he works at a cheese store. Like, like, she was excited about it. I had a hard time explaining it, but, you know when you think, I.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Don'T know if I was excited about it, but, you know, she was thrilled.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Trust me.

[Mrs. Truffles]

I mean, everybody gets excited about the Shop of Beverly Hills. It's a pretty exciting place.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

But anyway, like, like, like, I. Like, I really liked her. Like, it wasn't. She didn't look at me for, you know, who I was or what my title was or what I had. She looked at me for me and, like. And I realized that kind of early on. And I would say, you know, like, a couple months into it, like, we just, like, I just wanted to hang out with her. I just wanted to be with her, you know?

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

It flowed with you. Right? After our first date, we really were together ever since. We were always together.

[Mrs. Truffles]

We were just always together.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

But, yes, our parents love each other. Dads talk FaceTime each other, like, five times a day.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

They're probably on FaceTime as we speak.

[Mr. Truffles]

That's so grippy.

[Mrs. Truffles]

So how did the engagement happen?

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Of course. Very traditional. That I am. I asked her dad, I said, you know, I have a couple of business options that I would love to run by. And her dad was working with Miracle Mile. Miracle Mile. And I said to Pizzulo, can we please have lunch? He was like, okay, Dominic, sure. And I'll never forget this. Please. Like, I would love. I have a couple options in business. I would love to talk to you about it. Yeah, sure, Thomas. So we sit down, we talk. And I said, well, you know, look. And by the way, I'll never forget this, too, because it was my birthday. And I said, listen, I said, you know, I would love to talk to you. It's actually not about business. Today's actually my birthday. And I would love nothing more than to ask your daughter in marriage.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Come on.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah, come on.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

This would be the greatest birthday gift you can give me. And he literally turned back, because I remember also, too. Let me preface that by saying I asked him if you would like a glass of wine. He turned me down because he was at work, basically, I said, you know, I would love to ask your permission to marry your daughter. And he was like, oh, Dominic, I would. I wouldn't take the wine, but I'll take a shot of whiskey if you have one. It was really funny. It was really cute. And I had already bought the ring.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Wow.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

I think I asked him on like a Monday or two years.

[Mr. Truffles]

What year is this?

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Oh, six.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Yeah, it was like two years in. He asked me when I was gonna do it. I was like, well, it was a Friday night. It was a Friday night. I would always work late. I asked Agnes, can you help me price out some wines and stuff? We had a friend who had a camcorder and I hid it in a wheel of cheese. And I said, so basically we have this camera. And Eric, who worked at the cheese store, I had him practice as a stand in. So if I was. Eric was. Aggie was standing up and I was kneeling down. We got the right camera angle. So I was like, ag, please, you know, please come in. We're gonna price out some wines. We'll go have dinner afterwards. She came in and I said, can you please price out that bottle of Dom Perignon? So she opened up the box inside. Inside the box that the Dom Perignon comes in. I said, aggie, will you marry me? And there I was sitting down with this unbelievably gorgeous cubic zirconia ring. We have it on video. We actually showed that. There's like clips inside to the wedding proposal.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Yeah.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Did you have any idea this was coming?

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

I knew it was probably coming up, but I just. All my friends were in on it, so they took me to happy hour before that. And then he said, let's just go to dinner. Yeah. I did not expect it at all. In fact, to the point where I didn't have my nails done. I didn't have any. So you did not see this coming.

[Mrs. Truffles]

So you opened that box. Like, how long did it take you to understand what was happening?

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

You know when things go in like slow motion and you're kind of like, wait, what? Hold on a second. Am I reading this? Like, is this, is this really happening? He was down on his knee. It was. Oh yeah, it was kind of very sweet.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Cheese store.

[Mrs. Truffles]

And the cheese store.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

And then the spot where we met.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Is basically where we met after the proposal. We shoot over, we beeline it. There was no dinner, obviously. We beeline over to our parents house in Agoura Hills. So we're hanging out with everybody. Everyone comes over, we have champagne. It's A beautiful night. The next day, we're getting up very early in the morning. We're gonna head over. And I surprised her. We're going to Dana Point. I had great champagnes picked out. I knew the chef. We were having this whole thing. And, like, you know, like, if you know me, like, I have, like, a good appetite. And that night, I did not have a good appetite. All of a sudden, the next thing I know, I'm sick. And less than 24 hours later, we're at Cedars because I'm getting my appendix taken out.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Tell me about the wedding ring shopping. So how was that for you? Did you know what she wanted? Did you?

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

So I just. I called one of her best friends. I said, listen, I really want to go ring shopping. I don't know what style. I don't know anything about it. She's like, oh, no, I know what she wants. And she took me to the whole thing. And actually, it was really cool. You know Raffy Jewelers on Brighton?

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Yeah.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

I went in and I said, raffi, here's what I want. I literally have pictures of him making her ring from scratch.

[Mr. Truffles]

What?

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

So it was super cool.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah. He's an artist.

[Mrs. Truffles]

So you had him design it from scratch for her?

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Yeah. I mean, she knew the stone she wanted, but the whole setting and all that was designed from the beginning. I knew the diamond, I knew what I wanted. I knew all that.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

So my mom had a square. I guess back in the day they called a square emerald, I guess.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Okay.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

It was just very simple, beautiful. I used to, when I was a kid, I would put it on my finger. And I always loved her ring so much, I sort of modeled it after her ring. Sweet.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

We, you know, fast forward and all of a sudden we're planning an unbelievable, amazing wedding in New York City.

[Mr. Truffles]

How big was the wedding?

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

275, 42. Wow.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

It was insane.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

We got married church in his neighborhood that he went to grammar school at a block away from his parents house.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Oh, amazing. That's amazing.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

We got married in Satnam, and. And it was a great wedding. I mean, that was like.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

It was really fun. We shipped all the wine from the cheese store. We had these beautiful big bottles of wine because we knew some wineries, instead of having them put a label on it, we blew up pictures of us as kids, babies and stuff. So we put those on all the tables. But that's what the waiters and waitresses opened to serve for the table. So you had like a big bottle that would serve 10 people, and we did that throughout, red and white. And we had all the cheeses sent over and stuff. It was really cool.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

We did. We had a breathing ship.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

It was Abigail Kersh who was amazing kid. I don't even know if they're still around town, but it was great.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

The food was amazing.

[Mr. Truffles]

Was there an immediate honeymoon?

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

We went to Anguilla and Saint Barts.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Yeah.

[Mr. Truffles]

Rolling out, baby.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Yeah. Well, farmers markets you are throwing.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah. How was that honeymoon?

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

It was great fun.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

That was like. That was crazy. We stayed at like some really nice place.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

We flew on the sixth airplane that I didn't open my eyes for the 15 minutes that we were on there.

[Mr. Truffles]

Like married now. 17 years.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

17. And August 3rd. Sorry, August 3rd.

[Mr. Truffles]

What is the glue? What keeps it fresh and zippy?

[Mrs. Truffles]

And what's your little secret ingredient?

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

The business keeps things really interesting. Exciting, fun. Every day is different.

[Mr. Truffles]

Never dull, right?

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

He's always thinking of something new. He's never satisfied.

[Mr. Truffles]

Incredible energy, this guy.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

He has incredible energy. So there's never really like a dull moment. There's always, always from going on. This is literally since the day I met up.

[Mr. Truffles]

Do you ever have a. Do you have a standing date night? Do you take trips together?

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Things are a little crazy now, right? Like we haven't been in the new location for. For not even a year yet. I'm still back in almost like what's like a startup mode. But like, like, I mean we do have a fair amount. Our daughter's at that age now where she's going out with some of her friends. We do spend a lot of the weekends going to new restaurants and new. It's really fun. Like we're lucky in that regard. But we don't have a set night.

[Mrs. Truffles]

We like to do a little thing called a romantic weekend in the bag.

[Mr. Truffles]

A romantic weekend.

[Mrs. Truffles]

And this is just a few little gifts for you guys. It doesn't have to wait for the weekend, but it's just kind of a fun little feature of our show.

[Mr. Truffles]

So get in there.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Go ahead and get in there.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Thank you guys.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Let's go through there. It's a giant red toyser bag. And no romantic weekend is complete without some fancy French champagne.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Oh, come on, guys.

[Mrs. Truffles]

And you guys know good champagne. Yes.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

So we got a bottle of champagne.

[Mrs. Truffles]

And then we've got. These are our cocoa and chocolate dusted almonds.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Oh, wow. I don't think I've ever had those.

[Mrs. Truffles]

And all the almonds that Mr. Toyscher uses are from Lubik, Germany. Something very special that you're gonna love. This is the cocoa for chocolate that we know Dom loves.

[Mr. Truffles]

Loves, loves it.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Yeah.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

So you can, you know, Dom has been bringing me toyshire chocolates since we met. For every. For every Valentine's Day before we knew each other.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Before we knew each other.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Amazing. Yeah, it's.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Oh, my God.

[Mrs. Truffles]

And that's a fragrance called Hollywood that. And I put a little information card in there for you, but that is a commemoration.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Well thought, guys. Thank you.

[Mrs. Truffles]

100Th anniversary of the Hollywood sign. And that is an all pure natural loom candle with.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Oh, wow.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Pure essential oils.

[Mr. Truffles]

That's right. And that's the money.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Oh, Love and chocolate. That's my body butter. Fantastic.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

That's so sweet.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Thank you. To just have a little romantic evening at home or a getaway.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

We're going to have fun with this. Champagne truffles. These are the best.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

I love them. I just bought them for you for Valentine's Day.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Thank you. This was so fun.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

This was so nice. Thank you so much for having us.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Absolutely. Well, listen, before we let you go real quick, we would just like to hear if you have any advice to give for young people looking for love or starting out to say, like, you.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Need to find someone who you truly get along with. All those other money and all those other things, they come along later on. And that's not the first thing you should be doing. Thinking about. It's. It's more of the person, the relationship, the family. That's what's really important.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Your relationship should feel easy. At least. That's.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Find someone that you truly love for who they are as a person, and everything else will fall into place.

[Aggie DiBartolomeo]

Good advice.

[Dominic DiBartolomeo]

Hey, now.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Thank you guys so much.

[Mr. Truffles]

Okay, guys, well, listen, thanks again for coming and we will be right back with more. We'll be right back for love and chocolate. This podcast is being brought to you by Beverly Hills Toyshare Chocolates of Switzerland. Beverly Hills Toyshare at 371 North Camden Drive in Beverly Hills, has been serving up truffles, pralines, dipped fruits, marzipans, and our world famous chocolate bars for over 40 years. So next time you're in Beverly Hills, why don't you come by and visit or shop [e-mail].

[Mrs. Truffles]

Well, Mr. Truffles, that was so much fun.

[Mr. Truffles]

Oh, God, I adore them.

[Mrs. Truffles]

They were so sweet.

[Mr. Truffles]

They're so amore. Is it just me or do you also feel like just getting a beautiful bowl of spaghetti marinara and a fantastic.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Bottle of wine and enjoying it under the magical moonlight?

[Mr. Truffles]

Yes. Celebrating love, life and laughter under the magical moon.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Well, thanks for joining us for yet another episode.

[Mr. Truffles]

Yeah. And we will be back again next week for more adventures in love and chocolate. But until then, say goodbye, Mrs. Truffles.

[Mrs. Truffles]

Goodbye, Mrs. Truffles.

[Mr. Truffles]

This show is brought to you by Beverly Hills ToyShare Chocolates of Switzerland, home of the world's first and finest champagne, Truffles. Join us next week for more adventures in everlasting love.