Katy showed up to a pickup volleyball group in Fort Collins in June of ’25. Gio saw her from across the field playing on the lowest level court, as Katy knew no one and had no idea which of the 12 courts to play on. All of his friends would later tell Katy “that Gio locked in.” He went over to the court and played the rest of the night with her on that court. Katy distinctly remembers his name and an insane bicycle kick save on a volleyball ralley that he had (he doing so to impress her of course…. which he did).

Katy went to the same volleyball pickup group the next day secretly hoping that he would be there but not knowing if he would be. He ended up showing up later that day.

The rest of the summer was spent in many group settings. Neither of them knowing the other liked them, but both really liking the other. Gio thinking he was being obvious to show interest by asking Katy questions and pursuing interaction, inviting her to outings, etc. Katy thinking she was being obvious to show interest in Gio by ending up on the same court with Gio every game, always choosing him as her doubles partner, going to outings knowing he was in them. However both were oblivious to the others interest all the while very abvious to both our friend groups.

Katy thinking that he was most definitely interested in someone else put it out of her mind to show interest or let her mind go there. Unbeknownst to Katy, Gio was still very much interested but Katy was oblivious to his intentions and pursuit.

In November, after a group hangout at 2am on the way to their cars, Gio asked Katy if he could take her out. Absolutely flabergasted and processing the fact that he was asking her out and she still thought he was interested in someone else, she answered his question, WHY?!” Caught off guard Gio responded “Well we really haven’t spent any time apart from group settings and I would like to get to know you.”  Katy still thinking it was just a friends things said yes. The first date was so natural, fun, conversation filled, as they walked around old town Fort Collins desert tasting. The rest is history! 🙂