Over The Moon
When Dr. Allan Levi, Professor & Chairman of Neurosurgery at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine & Chief of Neurosurgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital, met Teresa Rodriguez, 15-time Emmy Award-winning Broadcast Journalist & News Anchor, the stars aligned during their serendipitous blind date. Mutual friends from Chicago decided to become matchmakers from afar and introduce the pair. On a whirlwind yet brief first date, he was all dressed up for a black-tie academy dinner he was to attend later that evening at The Breakers in West Palm Beach; and she was in jeans and a casual top after having just gotten off an F-16 fighter jet in Homestead as part of a story she was working on. They talked for hours in a small Asian restaurant on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. Afterward, Allan sent a photo of his hands holding the moon with a caption that read “My gift to you!” Now happily together for 14 years, this out-of-world couple has struck a perfect balance between quality time, family, career and philanthropic pursuits. “If our love would ever be made into a movie, it would be a Hallmark production about two people who came from different backgrounds and countries, and yet took a chance at love and happiness late in life,” says Teresa. “It would be called Love & Destiny: Under The Light Of A Full Moon.”
Going The Distance
Oscar & Joanne Sardiñas never predicted their long-distance relationship would transform into a 12-year (and going!) marriage and tight-knit family. “We really put all our effort into making our relationship work early on when we were based in different countries in completely opposite time zones!” Having gone the distance and now living on Key Biscayne, this lively island pair currently gives back to their community and local schools through the Key Biscayne Children & Education Foundation, an organization they co-founded along with their partners. Throughout all their philanthropic and professional responsibilities, they still carve out time to spend with each other despite their busy schedules. “We work hard, and play hard,” they say. “We live quite hectic lives but are always ready, willing and able to have fun!” This power couple knows their love is eternal. “We are forever,” they say. “No matter what happens — ups or downs — we will always get through it together!”
Art Passion
Both art aficionados and history buffs, Tanya Brillembourg & Sergio Granddads stole each other’s hearts a few years ago when they were connected by a mutual friend at an art exhibition. The power couple have painted a life together paying patronage to organizations like PAMM, Fountainhead Artists Residency and Caritas Cuba. Among their most unforgettable memories together is during a spontaneous trip to Spain, where they stayed in the highest room of a hotel in Granada. “On Sunday morning, we were awakened by the bells of a church sounding right in front of our window,” they say. “We opened the window to a gorgeous view of The Alhambra below soundtracked by the wonderful ring of the bronze church bells.” The key to a happy life together? “Know each other well and love ‘as is’!”
