Is Los Angeles for lovers?
Fashion consultant Rachel Andersson thinks so. "It's a fantastic place to have someone because there are so many romantic vista points," Andersson told The Huffington Post. "I mean, come on! Look out over the mountains, look at the beach. This is an excellent place to be in love."
But what about for people who are looking for love?
"No," she said emphatically. "It's too big and there's no public transportation and you don't stay in your own neighborhood."
Andersson's beau, Anchors, CA, drummer Dave Chimo, was more optimistic. "Yes, L.A. is for lovers," he said. "But it's tough because it's huge, and people spend 75 percent of their time in the car. ... You just have to find it -- I don't know if it's that different from any other place."
The couple wasn't trying to sound discouraging. In Andersson and Chimo said they know from experience that "love at first sight" is indeed possible, even in a sprawling city of 470 square miles with no discernable center and few public spaces.
The two met when they showed up for jury duty at the Los Angeles Courthouse.
It was November 2008. In a room of 300 potential jurors, Chimo spotted Andersson and instantly knew she was the "most interesting person in the room." She was cross-legged on a chair, with a hooded sweatshirt over her head and her face in a book. It was "I don't want to talk to anyone" armor.
By the end of the day, they were the only two people left in the room. That's when Chimo took his chance. "Well, we almost made it," he joked as the juror coordinator led them to another room. It was small, but the line and his smile were enough. "I remember just being totally charmed by him and really enjoying talking to a random person," Andersson recalled. Because it was the end of the day, the pair were told to come back the next day.
The next morning, both said they were relieved (and a bit giddy) to have a new friend. They quickly discovered dozens of connections because the clothing company Chimo managed, X-Large, was a frequent exhibiter at MAGIC, a fashion convention that Andersson's company produced.
Chimo said he was disappointed when Andersson was dismissed from jury duty, even though he had been dating someone. He ended up being chosen for the trial, and found himself thinking about Andersson the whole time. A few days later, he received an email from his new friend. It began, "Hey Dave from the court house. It's Rachel from the court house ..."
It took months of emails and phone calls (as well as the jettisoning of previous relationships) before the two realized they were more than friends. Their turning point came when Andersson, working in Las Vegas at the time, saw one of Chimo's Facebook posts about tea and cupcakes. As a joke, Andersson said she'd love a peanut butter and chocolate cupcake. Chimo saw his chance. After a quick stop on South Santa Monica Boulevard to get treats from both Crumbs and Sprinkles, he drove to the City of Sin. The look on Andersson's face when she received the cupcakes in a paper bag marked "RFTC" (Rachel from the courthouse) convinced Chimo she was the one.
To this day, they still refer to each other as DFTC and RFTC. They scamper between their homes in Echo Park and Atwater Village. Even after two years, the pair are in awe over how they met. Chimo said the day he met Andersson was like "winning the lottery."
Their advice to single Angelenos? Stop checking your OkCupid account on your iPhone and look up. You never know when you're going to meet the love of your life.
Chimo and Andersson, now experts at meeting the loves of their lives -- suggest spots to watch for your next relationship. Browse their suggestions and make your own by uploading your photo, video or tweet to the slideshow.
