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Go Inside Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley's "Epic" Anniversary Celebration
The RHOC alum rang in the milestone with an extravagant date night that included a sunset helicopter ride, a five-course meal, and a movie screening.
Slade Smiley pulled out all the stops.
In celebration of his 15th anniversary with Gretchen Rossi, the OC dad organized a surprise date night that was equal parts romantic and adventurous. Gretchen shared the event in a series of March 5 Instagram posts, saying she was completely “shocked” by what her partner had in store.
“He planned this unbelievable date for me and kept the entire thing a secret!” The Real Housewives of Orange County alum said. “He just told me to be ready at 3pm that day. I could not for the life of me figure out where he was taking me… He had planned a sunset Helicopter ride up the coast!”
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Slade Smiley surprises Gretchen Rossi with a sunset helicopter ride
Gretchen posted an Instagram Reel of her and Slade pulling up to Hangar 21, a SoCal-based event company specializing in private helicopter tours. The cinematic visual — filmed by videographer Orlando Gutierrez — followed Gretchen and Slade as they enjoyed breathtaking views of the Pacific Coast and Los Angeles skyline. The couple eventually arrived at an undisclosed location decorated with candles, a chandelier, roses, and a gorgeous table setting that faced a giant projection screen.
“[Slade] built & set the whole thing up earlier in the day for me (Meanwhile I thought he was at appointments),” she continued. “He had champagne, wine, & candles literally everywhere (he even had candles in the shape of a heart on the floor with rose petals all around it) He thought & did all of this on his own!”
Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley's Five-Course Anniversary Dinner
Gretchen also gushed over the “delicious” five-course meal prepared by Chef Dustin Vraneza. The gourmet dinner included caviar, salad, Chilean seabass, filet mignon, and a “24 (carrot) cheesecake” for dessert.
“Afterwards he played my favorite movie of all time ‘The Notebook’ on the screen as we cuddled together on the floor to watch,” Gretchen recalled. “He thought of every last detail and put so much time and effort into making it a dream date & beyond romantic! & Yes I am [100 percent] bragging about him here because seriously what guy thinks of all of these details all on his own & sets the whole thing up? I love you so much babe! Thank you for always making me feel like the most loved & adored woman in the world!”
Slade Smiley and Gretchen Rossi share a life update
The celebration took place on February 9, just days before Gretchen and Slade’s sitdown with Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast. The pair spoke about the evolution of their romance, which debuted in RHOC Season 5.
Although they’ve yet to tie the knot, Gretchen and Slade have taken huge steps in their relationship, such as buying a Costa Mesa home and welcoming their first child together — a daughter named Skylar Gray — in 2019.
“There’s so much now that I would want people to see of what our lives are,” Gretchen told Hot Mic host Alex Baskin. “We’re such different people than we were 10 years ago.”
