When you meet Rob Vanstone and Chryssoula Filippakopoulos you immediately see why they are so perfect for each other. They share a natural comfort level, mutual respect, a lasting love with each other and, more importantly, their most recent family member, Candy, their beloved dog.

As well, one of their strong personality traits that attract people to them is their infectious sense of humour.

Their story highlights how the local newspaper business played an important role in Rob and Chryssoula meeting, becoming friends, and eventually getting married.

Rob is a well-respected Saskatchewan sports writing icon with the Regina Leader-Post sports department. He originally joined the paper as a summer student in May of 1986 and he never left following his second summer placement in 1987.

“I was hired full time through my second summer job on July 31, 1987,” said Rob.  “So, in reality, my second summer job is still basically a summer job that has continued for over 36 years.”

“I’m still an old print gargoyle at heart and feel like the 22-year-old kid who grew up wanting to write sports at the Leader-Post. I love what I do.”

Chryssoula also has a newspaper background. She initially earned her English degree from York University then added a journalism degree from Ryerson University in Toronto prior to starting her term position at the Prince Albert Daily Herald. After heading home to Toronto following the end of her summer term, the Moose Jaw Times-Herald called and offered her a full-time job.

“I ended my three-month summer job at the Prince Albert Daily Herald and then I went back to Toronto to look for another newspaper job,” said Chryssoula.  “A reporter’s job came open in Moose Jaw and the managing editor in Prince Albert recommended me and the Times-Herald hired me.”

Chryssoula’s work journey has followed a different path as she left the newspaper business to work in a communications role in a variety of sectors including government and high-profile non-profit organizations. Now she is using her vast skills as a very successful freelance writer and strategic communications consultant.

Their friendship blossomed through their mutual love of sports and they got to know each other when the local reporters would attend sporting events together.

 

“I’m a sports fan and I would go to the Moose Jaw Warrior home games with my co-workers from the Times-Herald, and they knew Rob,” said Chryssoula.  “My good friend Stephanie Choma and I would hang out and we would see him at the Warrior and Moose Jaw Diamond Dog games.”

“I fell in love right away, she was great, but it was only one way for love at first sight,” said Rob.

“I got to know Rob from covering games and going out together with other newspaper friends,” said Chryssoula.  “I thought he was a nice guy who was very funny and someone I felt I could be myself with.”

As they got to know each other better, they decided to take their relationship one step further and go on a date. Their romantic journey together started out with a very interesting first date.

That fateful night, Rob and Chryssoula decided to meet for dinner prior to a Moose Jaw Warriors home game.

“We went on our first date on Gary Carter’s birthday, and she brought a friend along to dinner,” said Rob. “I was just in a foul mood the whole time, but I faked it and tried to be pleasant.”

The dinner for three was an honest mix-up and both laugh as they remember that night.

“My friend and I always went for supper prior to going to the Warriors home games,” said Chryssoula. “She asked what me what I was doing before the game and I invited her to join us. I really didn’t think it was a big deal.”

At the Warriors game, a grumpy Rob told his story about the added guest to all his friends who wanted to know how his first date with the “lovely” Chryssoula went.

“I watched the game and wrote the worst thing I’ve ever written because I was in such a bad mood and then just drove home that night,” said Rob. “I thought, at least I tried, and kept reminding myself that I would never have to worry about her again, I gave it my shot.”

Rob’s life changed forever when he got home and saw his phone message light.

“I got home and there was my message light was flashing. it was Chryssoula thanking me for dinner.”

From that point, their relationship grew and they started to see each other on a regular basis. Rob knew he found the love of his life when he needed to return early from a vacation trip to New York because he missed Chryssoula.

Their love for each other was evident and on May 15, 1999, they were married in Regina at St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church.

Throughout their relationship, the couple has had many happy adventures but also faced some adversity; the death of Rob’s mom, his overcoming severe anxiety, Type 2 diabetes, COVID-19, and the inability to travel to see Chryssoula’s parents.

Rob credits Chryssoula and her patient and caring demeanour for helping him get through his tough struggles with anxiety, the loss of his mom and managing his diabetes.

“Without her I just don’t think I would have the quality of life that I have right now,” said Rob.

“She forced me to go for a walk around the lake on March 6, 2020 and now I’ve had at least half hour of exercise every day since then.”

“Rob had the desire to succeed,” said Chryssoula. “He had to want to make the positive changes in his life, but I was happy I was there to support him and encourage him.”

There still seemed to be something missing for this happy couple. For a variety of reasons Rob and Chryssoula had not had a dog in their lives for over 19 years. Last year they took a chance and fostered Candy from the Regina Humane Society. This time it was love at first sight for both of them.

“Just when you think you’re never going to have a dog again, you reach out to the Humane Society and win the dog lottery,” said Rob.

Candy has made a positive impact on their lives and has found her “fur-ever”, home as you can tell by the many, many pictures posted on Rob and Chryssoula’s social media channels.

“It’s not every diabetic that can enjoy Candy this much,” said Rob.

In fact, it is safe to say Rob is now very happy that Chryssoula brings their friend Candy on all their dinner dates.

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