Great American Family stars Franco Lo Presti and Emily Alatalo may share the screen in Crossroad Springs, but their real-life love story reads like a script straight out of a feel-good romance movie.
During a recent interview, the married couple opened up about how they first crossed paths, the unexpected phone call that reunited them years later, and the smooth line Franco used to seal the deal.
A Fate Met on a Holiday Movie Set
The duo originally met while filming the movie Christmas Catch. While spark signals were secretly firing for Franco, Emily admitted she was completely in the dark at the time.
“I had no idea that he was interested in me,” Emily shared.
After wrap wrapped, the two parted ways. For the next three years, they didn’t keep in touch—yet Franco never completely moved on from the thought of her.
“In that three-year span, I’d always think about Emily,” Franco recalled. “I’d think about her and be like, ‘That’s the girl that I need in my life, God. Bring me someone like that.'”
The Setup Call That Changed Everything
Three years later, Emily reached out out of the blue with an unexpected proposal: she wanted to set Franco up on a date with her best friend, Jenna!
“She called me out of the blue… I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s Emily! What’s up?'” Franco laughed. “She’s like, ‘Hey, I’m trying to set you up with my friend.’ I’m like, ‘Wait, wait, wait… but how are you?'”
Seizing the moment, Franco pivoted the conversation and invited Emily out for a catch-up coffee.
When Emily mentioned that her schedule was pretty packed that week and wasn’t sure if she could make it work, Franco delivered a line that instantly changed her perspective:
“Well listen, Emily. You let me know when you’re free, and I’ll make time for you.”
“He said the best line ever,” Emily gushed. “I guess it worked!”
From Set to Married Life & Baby on the Way
Franco’s smooth approach earned him that coffee date, leading to a romance that came full circle. The couple officially tied the knot in November 2023.
Fast forward three years from that fateful phone call, and the couple is now celebrating two major milestones: marking nearly three years of marriage and expecting their first baby—a baby girl!
Whether they are skating on set (a skill Franco credits Emily with teaching him) or working together on Great American Family projects, this real-life couple proves that sometimes the best romantic plot twists happen off-screen.
Watch the lovebirds tell their story below.
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Diana is the co-editor-in-chief of Feeling the Vibe. She loves pop culture and is always up to date on the latest news. If you have any tips or comments, email [email protected].