For Love & Chocolate

Episode: The One With Mike & Rita Szczotka

Hosts: Tommy & Tara Gallop
Guests: Mike & Rita Szczotka
Date: August 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This heartwarming episode of "For Love & Chocolate" is a joyful celebration of enduring love, romantic serendipity, and delicious chocolate. Hosts Tommy and Tara Gallop, the charming "Mr. and Mrs. Truffles," take their popular relationship podcast on the road for their first-ever “mobile podcast,” recorded in Oregon inside the Airstream trailer of their dear friends, Mike and Rita Szczotka (pronounced “Shotka, rhymes with vodka”).

The episode blends playful, candid banter about football and marriage, a lively mailbag with listener relationship dilemmas, and, most memorably, an in-depth interview with Mike and Rita, whose “love at first sight” story and decades-long romance inspire both laughter and awe.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Football, Hobbies, and Relationship Dynamics (00:28–04:44)

• Tommy and Tara engage in lighthearted banter about football season and how hobbies interact within their marriage.
  • Tommy playfully claims he’s the football fanatic, not Tara.
  • They discuss the importance of “joining in each other’s joy” but also allowing space for individual interests.
  • Quote:
    “Isn’t that what love and relationships are about? Celebrating each other's passions and hobbies and finding a way in, but also, you know, being in the same space but maybe not engaging fully and doing your own thing.” —Tommy (02:46)

2. The Mailbag: Listener Relationship Q&A (04:58–12:51)

A. The Twin Mix-Up Dilemma (05:02–08:14)

• Listener “Bobbo” writes in about accidentally pretending to be his twin on a date and now falling for the girl.
• Tara and Tommy stress the importance of honesty:
  • Quote:
    “They need to come clean with this girl first... and let her pick.” —Tara (06:39)
  • “Their relationship has already started on deceit... Lies and deceit.” —Tommy (06:50)
• Consensus: Truth must come out, and “may the best twin win.”

B. Crazy in Love or Red Flag? (08:17–12:51)

• Listener “Colette” wonders if a whirlwind, three-week romance with grand gestures is too much, too soon.

• Tommy is optimistic, while Tara urges following the heart:

  • Quote:
    “What do you got to lose, Colette?” —Tommy (09:42) “I think you can go ahead and just fall in love.” —Tara (09:55)

• The segment ends with a playful, romantic rendition of Cole Porter's "Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love."

  • “Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it, let’s do it — let’s fall in love.” (10:34–12:45)

3. Meet Mike & Rita Szczotka: A Love Story for the Ages (13:00–41:41)

A. How They Met—The Make a Wish Gala (15:35–23:27)

• Rita, single and board member of Make a Wish, is reluctantly introduced to Mike, who works behind the scenes at the event.
  • Rita: “I had been single at that point for about four years... had a board that was happening... they said, ‘Oh, Rita, there’s this guy...’” (15:37)
• Mike, taken aback by Rita's beauty, goes to freshen up after a day of setup and is determined to dance with her.
  • Memorable Quote:
    “I actually hit the floor. This woman is gorgeous. How am I going to... what am I going to do with this?” —Mike (18:57)
• They dance the entire night together; both feel an immediate connection.
  • “As soon as I saw her, I went, ‘Oh my God, this is an amazing woman.’ I don’t even know anything about her. I didn’t care.” —Mike (20:29)

B. Early Romance & First Dates (23:27–27:01)

• Mike broke up with his previous long-term girlfriend the day after meeting Rita.
• Their first “real” date is at a chic Italian restaurant, where Rita charms the waiter out of his embroidered denim shirt.
• Quick progression to romance: first kiss occurs that first gala night, and Mike is upfront with Rita about ending things with his former girlfriend.

C. The Engagement and Unique Wedding (28:00–33:46)

• Proposal happens in Santa Fe, New Mexico, by surprise (even as Rita’s painting her nails).
• They choose to hold their wedding reception at the very Make a Wish gala where they met.
  • They buy ten tables, making a large donation—a memorable detail as they later realize this act is tax deductible.
  • Fun Fact: Their wedding invitation: “Make a wish, and wishes really do come true.” (31:11)
• The wedding is intimate (70 close friends and family) but flows into a black-tie gala with 300 guests.
• Signature detail: Wedding cake is a multi-tiered tiramisu, topped by Gumby & Pokey figurines, their playful couple nickname.
  • “We kind of nicknamed each other Gumby and Pokey... I was already three glasses of champagne in, so I felt compelled to tell the story.” —Rita (33:10)

D. Dream Honeymoon (34:51–37:45)

• Rita, after a work bonus, books an ultra-luxurious Silver Seas cruise starting in Monte Carlo, ending in Venice.
  • Mike is blown away: “I wish we had video... you could have seen his face… He had never been on a cruise... to get on something that beautiful and majestic...” —Rita (35:59)
  • They travel in style, including James Bond-like boat rides in Venice.

E. Secrets to Enduring Love (37:45–41:41)

• After 28 years, their recipe for lasting marriage:

  1. Shared Faith:
     • “Our faith in God is our grounding source... If it wasn’t for that… it would have been very easy to give up... Our marriage is beautiful. And work is after that.” —Rita (37:59)
  2. Mutual Respect, Playfulness, and Division of Labor (with a wink):
     • “She’s always right.” —Mike (38:31)
     • Tara jokes about “knowing your place,” with Rita the “queen bee.”
  3. Practical partnership:
     • “He is just remarkable [handyman]... everyone could use a little Mike and Rita in their lives.” —Rita (39:31)
  4. Continual Appreciation:
     • Tommy observes that Mike, decades later, “still gets that look” when he talks about Rita, visibly moved by love.
  • Memorable Closing Quote:
    “To relive the story together... is kind of special.” —Rita (41:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Joining Passions (02:46):
  “Celebrating each other's passions and hobbies and finding a way in, but also, you know, being in the same space but maybe not engaging fully and doing your own thing.” —Tommy

• On First Meeting (18:57):
  “I actually hit the floor. This woman is gorgeous. How am I going to... what am I going to do with this?” —Mike

• On Love at First Sight (20:29):
  “As soon as I saw her, I went, ‘Oh my God, this is an amazing woman.’ I don’t even know anything about her. I didn’t care." —Mike

• After First Date (22:58):
  “Gee, maybe this could be the one… mark my word, I’m gonna marry this guy.” —Rita

• On Faith & Marriage (37:59):
  “Our faith in God is our grounding source… Our marriage is beautiful. And work is after that.” —Rita

• Relationship Humor (38:31):
  “She’s always right.” —Mike

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:28–04:44 — Football and Relationship Dynamics
• 04:58–12:51 — Listener Q&A: Mailbag Segment
• 13:00–15:35 — Introduction to Mike & Rita and Mobile Podcasting
• 15:35–23:27 — Mike & Rita’s "How We Met" Story
• 23:27–27:01 — First Dates and Early Connection
• 28:00–33:46 — Engagement, Wedding, and Make a Wish Gala
• 34:51–37:45 — Dream Honeymoon
• 37:45–41:41 — Secrets to a Lasting Marriage
• 41:41–end — Reflections and Outro

Episode Tone & Style

Warm, witty, and disarmingly candid. Tommy and Tara (Mr. and Mrs. Truffles) balance playful teasing, heartfelt wisdom, and a sincere celebration of romance and friendship. Mike and Rita radiate humor, authenticity, and deep affection, creating a feel-good, uplifting listen.

Summary Takeaway

This episode delivers a sweet, memorable reminder that love can strike in a single dance — and, with faith, honesty, and a dash of playfulness, endure for decades. Whether you crave a fairy-tale romance, real marriage advice, or just a cozy dose of optimism (with a side of chocolate), Mike and Rita’s story — and Tommy and Tara’s infectious energy — will leave you smiling.