When Gloria and Collin set out to plan their dream wedding in Italy, they had no idea that their love story would lead to a viral moment celebrating not just their union, but the remarkable career of Collin’s father—a director whose work helped define a generation of childhood memories.

Their wedding, held in a sun-dappled Tuscan castle, was a “once in a lifetime experience.” But it was the gift they gave Collin’s dad, Steve Purcell, that became the real showstopper—a personalized wedding DVD, cleverly styled as a tribute to his beloved Olsen twins classic, When in Rome.

Love at First Flight

Gloria and Collin’s journey began online during their final year of college. “We were both hoping to find someone fun just to take to our end-of-year sorority/fraternity events,” Gloria laughs, “but we both ended up catching feelings.” The pair’s connection deepened on a post-graduation trip to Italy—a trip that would later inspire their wedding location.

“We absolutely knew we would get married someday,” Gloria recalls. “We stayed together as we went off to different grad schools, and then in 2022, Collin proposed during our trip to Tahiti. It was beautiful!”

From California Chaos to Tuscan Dream

Wedding planning, as many couples know, rarely goes as expected. The couple initially envisioned a 200+ guest celebration in California, but soon realized their hearts were set on something more intimate and meaningful.

“We ended up canceling it to have our dream wedding in Tuscany,” Gloria shares. They invited just 50 of their closest friends and family to a 13th-century castle overlooking the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside. “Looking around and seeing all of our people, who have supported us through different eras of our lives, together at a castle in Tuscany… it’s crazy!”

Their families were all in, supporting the change of plans. “We feel so lucky and truly rich in life to have such loving family and friends who would travel across the world to celebrate with us.”

A Gift That Stole the Show

After the festivities, the couple received their wedding video—a cinematic retelling of their day. That’s when Gloria had her lightbulb moment: why not present the video to Collin’s dad in a way that honored his own creative legacy?

Steve Purcell, Collin’s father, is modest about his achievements. But tucked away in his home office are posters from his days directing and producing beloved Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen films, including Holiday in the Sun and When in Rome. “I noticed those posters and thought it would be perfect to incorporate something he’s proud of,” Gloria explains.

With a playful twist, Gloria and Collin designed their wedding DVD cover to mimic the When in Rome movie poster—retitling it When in Tuscany and swapping the film’s stars with themselves. The gesture was captured in a TikTok video, which quickly charmed viewers across the internet.

A Director’s Emotional Moment

Steve’s reaction was pure surprise. “I think it was the last thing he was expecting to see, because we rarely ever talk about his past work, especially the Mary-Kate and Ashley movies, since they’re such old movies,” Gloria says, laughing.

“At first, he thought it was a gag gift. Once he realized it was our wedding video, he was just in complete amazement and immediately popped the DVD in to watch it.”

Steve tells PEOPLE, “I’ve dedicated my entire career to the television and film industry, often working in a vacuum without direct feedback from viewers. Directing the Mary-Kate and Ashley movies was great fun. When my son, Collin, and Gloria gifted me the remake of When in Rome, titled When in Tuscany, along with a DVD of their wedding video, it completely blew me away and brought tears.”

A Viral Father’s Day Surprise

The couple presented the gift on Father’s Day weekend, not realizing it would spark a wave of nostalgia among millennials online. “It was perfect timing to have the rest of the world tell him how he’s shaped so many of their childhoods!” Gloria says. “To us, he’s just goofy ol’ dad, so it’s wild to see how much of an impact he’s had on others. I hope seeing all of the comments made him feel even more special!”

Steve, for his part, was deeply moved by the outpouring of love. “When Gloria shared the TikTok post with me, I was amazed,” he admits. “The genuine responses from viewers who had watched the movies multiple times made me smile. As a director, it’s difficult to step back and evaluate the broader impact of a project during production. Reading the diverse responses and understanding how these movies resonated with people truly touched my heart.”

The Power of Thoughtful Gifting

For Gloria, the gift was about more than a clever in-joke. “I’m a firm believer that all gifts should be thoughtful, meaningful, personal and make the person receiving it feel special,” she says. Honoring Steve’s legacy was a way to show appreciation for the years of creativity and joy he brought into the world—not just for his family, but for millions of fans.

Bringing Generations Together

The story of When in Tuscany is more than a viral moment; it’s a reminder of how art, love, and family intersect. Steve’s work with the Olsen twins brought joy to countless children, many of whom are now adults cherishing those memories. Gloria and Collin’s creative tribute bridges the gap between past and present, celebrating the ways in which family legacies are carried forward in unexpected, heartwarming ways.

A Legacy That Lasts

As the couple looks back on their wedding adventure, they’re grateful for the love that surrounds them—and the chance to celebrate a father’s life’s work in such a meaningful way.

“Seeing all the comments and messages from people who grew up on his movies made us realize just how special his work was,” Gloria reflects. “It’s a memory we’ll all cherish forever.”

For Steve, the experience was a rare opportunity to feel the impact of his career. “I’m so grateful for my family, and for everyone who took the time to share their stories. It’s truly the best gift I could have received.”