6.28.2014​
Inna and Gabe
Los Angeles, CA
Our Story...
Inna and Gabriel like to say they met in Vegas. They actually met in North Hills at 7AM as they prepared to carpool to Vegas.
Seven people were in that van, Gabriel knew six and Inna knew zero. Sensing her awkwardness, Gabriel did his best to break the ice, delivering what would become the best pickup line ever: "I can't think of a nice way to ask this so I'm just gonna ask. Who are you?" Everyone laughed and Inna was embarassed and Inna and Gabriel fell in love.
Well, not quite, not yet. First there was Vegas, drinking and dancing and celebrating the New Year. But a couple days later, when New Years had passed and they were sobered up at home, they realized they still wanted to see each other.
Fast forward three weeks. Other than a one weekend visit to Los Angeles, Inna had not heard from Gabriel. Not because he was avoiding her, but because he was in preproduction and focused on his film and would call her when it was done (yes, Gabriel is clueless). Luckily, a happy coincidence saved the day: one of Gabriel's college friends was also Inna's San Diego friend. And when Inna mentioned the boy she met in Vegas and how they had a connection and why hasn't he called her, and when said friend (Dan Weiss) realized this boy was Gabriel, he sent him a message, telling him to call Inna. Gabriel did so immediately and the relationship was saved.
From there, the long distance relationship started. And when time came, when Inna finished her Masters and her lease was over, up to Los Angeles it was. Her family was very happy. Gabriel was too.
The next two years were a blur. Working and playing, house hunting and meeting each other's families, and filmmaking, always filmmaking, they even made a film together. And after two years, one Europe-trip, lots of SD and SLO and trips all over California, after engraing into each others families, endearing themselves to each other, and tons of house-hunting frustration, they moved into their first apartment together. Everything was wonderful.
Wonderful, which meant it was time to propose. And here, happy coincidence number two occured, as Inna's family just happened to be planning a trip to, you guessed it, Vegas. The perfect place, fun and meaningful and for none of the normal reasons; it's where they first met, where they fell for each other, so it is an extra special place for them.
With the help of his sister, Gabriel bought a ring and then off to Vegas it was. He got Inna alone, and in a seculded courtyard outside Caesar's Palace (the first hotel they went to on their original trip) he dropped to one knee and popped the question. Inna said yes (of course), although she doesn't remember it, she doesn't remember anything, too surprised and happy and tearful.
The rest of the trip was a whirlwind, phone calls and pictures and celebrations galore (have you seen how Russians celebrate?). The whirlwind has continued ever since. They closed on a condo with lots of remodeling, new positions at work, and nonstop wedding planning. And filmmaking, always filmmaking. And that is where they are today!