Anthony & Jaime Spinato
Anthony Spinato, president and CEO; Jaime Spinato, marketing and community outreach, Spinato’s Pizzeria & Family Kitchen
Homebase: Scottsdale
How did your love story begin? Jaime: We met at Spinato’s in North Phoenix. [Jaime’s parents were regulars at Spinato’s North Phoenix restaurant.] I was 15, and Anthony was 20. We were friends for a number of years before dating, for obvious reasons. It wasn’t until eight years later that we started dating. We dated for 10 months and got engaged. This year we’ll celebrate 18 years of marriage!
Anthony: My love for her started many years before hers for me – LOL. We argue about that all the time, but I knew from the moment I met her she was it, and I just had to wait until she was older and of age to date. Her personality and beauty were so intimidating that it did take me a few years to ask her out. But we did meet at Spinato’s and, yes, her and her parents were regulars. Maybe the thought of free pizza for life helped get the “yes” for marriage from her. At least she knew she would never go hungry!
Favorite thing about one another: Jaime: He makes me laugh, and he is the kindest, gentlest person that I know. I can get crabby or stressed about things and instead of adding to the crabbiness and stress, he makes me laugh. Like really laugh.
Anthony: There are a lot of things that I absolutely love about her (especially the fact that she puts up with me and for so long), but what stands out most is not just what I love about her, but also what I admire about her, which is that she gives her heart and soul to the people she loves: her friends, family, me and even her cat, Oscar. If you are close to her, she is all in. She will stand with you, fight for you, listen to you and not be afraid to give you the tough love when you need it. People are afraid to do that today, but she couldn’t do it any different and that’s what I love so much about her!
Favorite date night: Jaime: Well, it’s been a while since we’ve been on a date, sadly. But one of our most memorable meals that we had together was at B&B Ristorante in Las Vegas. We had the best server who made the entire experience special from start to finish. It was where we planned our future, over good food, wine and dessert.
Anthony: With our schedules, it is still very hard to successfully have consistent date nights. For me though, it’s not a place that makes it special, it is just the times we do have a moment to be together. Sometimes it is as simple as just being in the car together – I enjoy her that much. But to answer the question – Jaleo in the Cosmo in Vegas. Spanish tapas, great vino and four hours of eating, drinking and dreaming what’s next in life for us…unforgettable!
Favorite tradition you have as a couple: Jaime: Morning coffee. I know it sounds silly but we’re both so busy and it’s the time that we have in the morning when the kids are not awake, and we get to have quiet time before our day gets rolling. That’s when we get to talk about our day, pray about it and enjoy a strong cup of coffee.
Anthony: A wonderful, strong delicious cup of coffee in the morning (thank you, Peixoto!), with time to talk, have some prayers and make sure we are on the same page for what has to happen to conquer the day!
What does your happily ever after look like? Jaime: We like to dream, and for us our dream would be to have a little place in the woods, mountains or by the water to share with family and friends. We love to travel, cook and entertain, and we love to garden. So, maybe that little place would have a big garden, too.
Anthony: A few years ago, I would have answered this differently. Having a few more years of wisdom now, it is very simple and clear. Happily ever after for me is just having the freedom with my time to spend with the people I love and others in this world who may not know love or just need to be loved. Regardless of our socioeconomic status in this world, the one thing that is even across the board is time – its finite. We do not get it back, and we never know when we will be out of it. Tomorrow is not promised, and every day is so precious. So, it has to start with time for me, but as for a place, it’s a villa in Italy on Lake Como, having family and friends visit often, taking a daily stroll, a daily intake of parmesan Reggiano, soppressata and capocollo, fresh pasta and some vino from the region, and then wake up and do it all over!