Tomie was born in Okinawa, Japan. Upon graduating from high school trained to become a seamstress.

Clif was born in New Bern, North Carolina. After graduating from high school, he joined the United States Air Force obtaining the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He served as the Command Chief Master Sergeant at Fifth Air Force toward end of his career.

Of Clif's twenty-seven years in the Air Force, Tomie served with him for twenty-four of those years. After retirement, they moved to Hilton Head, South Carolina where Tomie opened her first clothing alteration shop. Later, they moving to Winter Garden, Florida where Clif had accepted a job as a plant manager. Now living in Clermont, Tomie's Alterations & Tuxedos has been opened since 1997. Her biggest accomplishment has been keeping Clif on the straight path but her most precious possession is her United States citizenship.