And to think, it all began with smashing broken electrical appliances with baseball bats…
The year? 2019. The month? September. The time? Vaguely Saturday Night-ish. The Titmouse Animation Studio was throwing their annual SMASH Party, a gala affair where cartoon nerds gather to destroy broken TV’s and computers with weapons (...that isn’t a joke. That is literally what happens there.)
Anneli, living in NY at the time, decided to take a quick vacation to Los Angeles for the party.
Jake, living in LA at the time, technically wasn’t even invited. The two of them, in the same place,at the same time,
and...
They didn’t meet.
But hey, at least Jake got a free T-shirt out of it!
But then something strange happened. Anneli, having had such an amazing time on her trip out west, asked herself “What if… I, Anneli Strassler of The New York, moved here to The California? Dare I take this impossible chance?!” Well, if there’s one thing Anneli loves doing, it’s impossible things. And so, she packed up her cat and prepared to set off to the West Coast.
Meanwhile, Jake, deciding he looked pretty good in that free T-Shirt, decided to use it on his Hinge profile. Exciting stuff, really.
Well, sometimes the universe believes in second chances. ENTER: A FREAKING GLOBAL PANDEMIC!
So, with the entire world on proverbial lockdown and with the two of them sequestered in their respective homes (plans at bay, Anneli still across the country), Anneli saw Jake for the first time. AND HE WAS WEARING THAT FREE T-SHIRT! Who was this dapper gentleman, she thought?! And how could they have missed each other on that one fateful night?! And dare she attempt to date someone who she could possibly work with? This wasn't typically her style, but something told her she needed to swipe right.
And so, Anneli met Jake. And neither of their lives would ever be the same again.
Soon, they became inseparable. Long walks through the botanical gardens and California mountains. Collecting as many ice cream flavors as possible. Burrito picnics in the park. It was love.
Oddly enough, it was on one of those long botanical garden walks, that Anneli realized that Jake was “The One.” Jake, on the other hand, claims that he knew Anneli was his soulmate from that very first time they met face-to-face. Regardless, they both knew this was true love and they couldn’t be happier.
They found a home they could call their own. They moved their two cats and COUNTLESS PLANTS in. They planned a Halloween party and became excited about what the future may bring.
Somehow, in the midst of Anneli's epic Halloween party planning, Jake managed to convince her (with the help of some friends) to enjoy a day of relaxation at the gardens.
And it was there that he proposed, at the very same bench where Anneli had realized Jake was her One And Only.
Which brings us to now... March 4th. 2023. The beginning of the next chapter for Anneli and Jake. One that they cannot start without the people closest in the world to them.
So get ready, put on your dancing shoes, grab an adult beverage, and meet us in LA... because it's time to party the night away!!!!!!