February 4, 2012

Small-screen surprise

Local couple engaged after movie-themed proposal

Frank and Natalie

Frank and Natalie

From a chance meeting at a downtown club, it soon became clear to Richmond Hill funnyman Frank Spadone and dance instructor Natalie Papa that they were a perfect match. They say their shared passion for the arts has brought them mutual understanding, and 20-monthold son Adrian is the apple of their eyes. Frank shares their story:

How they met

We met at a nightclub. My good friend Mark asked me to meet for drinks at a downtown bar for happy hour after work. Mark’s entire department was there, including Natalie’s cousin Cecilia, who had invited Natalie. We were introduced and went off in our own directions. After about an hour, we met up again, and Natalie said to me, “I just met an annoying actor wannabe. Everyone wants to be an actor, everyone is a performer.… So what do you do?”

The courtship

A few months after we met, I had already booked a trip to Italy, with my parents, sister and brother-in-law, to visit family when Natalie thought it would be fun to visit a part of Italy she had never seen before. I thought it was a great idea until I realized, “Hey, we are taking our first trip together, with my parents, to visit family.” Needless to say, I think we were both a bit nervous. But we had a great time.

The proposal

After performing in Chicago, my cousins, who own a beautiful jewelery store there, did some investigative work for me and found out what type of ring(s) Natalie liked. Natalie loves watching movies at home, so I decided to make a movie preview called The Proposer. On one of our movie nights, I put in the DVD. Just as it started to play the phone rang, Natalie answered thinking, “It’s just the previews.” I had to restart the DVD, but it wouldn’t. After a few tries, I finally got it working. She then realized what was happening, and when I gave her the ring, she obviously said yes.

The wedding

We got married on July 1, 2006, at Immaculate Conception Church in Woodbridge. The real special thing about that night is that Natalie’s grandmother (Nonna Anna), who was battling cancer, was able to be there.

Their lives today

The high point of our relationship is the arrival our little boy, Adrian, who is now 20 months old. We have both made our livings doing what we love to do: Natalie’s passion for dance and my passion for making people laugh. Natalie is now arriving at her 10th year anniversary for her dance school, Soul in Motion, and I will be performing at both Just For Laughs festivals this year in Toronto and Montreal.

Secret to success

No secrets and honesty will take you a long way. Well, except if you think she does look fat in those jeans. Just suggest another pair.

Every couple has a story to share. If you would like to share yours, please contact the editor at 416-250-7979, ext. 222, or news@postcitymagazines.com.

This article appears in the June 2009 issue of Post City Magazines

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