‘I married my boss’: Alexia Alvarez and David Milky’s love story started at work despite a 14 year age gap
He was almost a decade and a half older than her – and her boss. But that didn’t stop this couple from falling in love.
Lifestyle
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When 19-year-old Alexia Alvarez, as she was then known, turned up for her first shift at a popular cafe in Adelaide’s inner east, falling in love was the last thing on her mind.
But she soon did just that, finding her “til-death-do-us-part” soulmate in her boss who is 14 years her senior, David Milky, and whose family run Rose Park’s Commissary.
“At first we started secretly going out because it was a big ‘no-no’ for him to date a staff member,” the now 26-year-old says.
“I suppose at first we were a bit worried that it would be awkward and nervous about what other people would say.
“But when we started dating, David started telling his family slowly and, honestly, as soon as he did, I think they were just so happy that he’d finally started dating someone … I think they were like, ‘oh my God, like out of everyone, thank God it’s Alexia!’.”
When asked who made the first move, she responds with a laugh.
“It depends who you ask … but I’m going to say he did,” she says.
“But when I first started working (at the cafe) I did think he was a little bit cute.
“We started working more and more together – I was working at the cafe at least five days a week and he was here six days – and started chit-chatting a little bit more and we got to know each other more.”
Alexia began at the family-owned eatery seven years ago with romance blossoming about two years later.
In June 2023 the couple got engaged before tying the knot in a spectacular wedding almost six months ago.
She says the work chatter made for a relaxed first date when it happened, at an Italian restaurant.
“For our first ‘public date’, we went to 400 Gradi as we both love eating Italian food,” she says.
“I wasn’t nervous … it kind of felt quite natural; at work you see a different side to people and as we started talking more and going out on dates, I realised he’s definitely a big softie.”
The pair had being part of a family hospitality industry in common.
“My parents have JDF Receptions – the function centre where we got married – and I started working there as a 12-year-old,” she says.
Still, her mum was initially concerned by the almost a decade-and-a-half age difference.
“Naturally, you know, like a protective mother, my mum was a little bit questionable at first … but I was like, ‘Mum, you just need to meet him’ … and when she did, she fell in love with him, just like I had,” she laughs.
The new Mrs Milky describes her December wedding as “perfect”, including the groomsmen’s NBA-style “Chicago Bulls starting five” entrance.
“Having grown up working in the wedding industry, I’ve seen so many weddings and felt pressure to try and create something beautiful and amazing – and unique – for your guests,” she says.
“But everything was perfect; my background is Argentinian-Italian and David is Lebanese, so both sides of our family are big party people … didn’t want the night to end.
“It was honestly just the best day … I married my best friend and we had such a good time – I loved it, it was beautiful.”
The Milkys are finalists in the search for SA’s best wedding for the season.
Public voting is now open and will close on Wednesday, May 7 at 8am.
You can cast your vote, here.
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