one where a little technology played a big part in bringing them together. But don’t worry – this isn’t your typical swipe-right romance, nor is it a love affair that originated in an AOL chat room. That may have worked once for Shopgirl and NY152, but THIS is the story of SwimChick1994 and BigHair332. For these two, it all started on Instagram.

One Friday afternoon in early 2020, Jake was scrolling Instagram inside the Oakland A’s front office until he could return home. It was a big night – Galantis (a DJ who owns special real estate within every 2010s college grad’s heart) was coming to town, and Jake was hosting a party before the show for the occasion.

Up pops a story from @paysprayy, Jake’s coworker down the hall, proclaiming her excitement for the show. Jake and Payton first met in 2017, but they were just cordial coworkers – so yes, uninspired water-cooler banter was their earliest love language. Thankfully this time, Jake had more important matters to discuss. Jake ran to Payton’s desk, the two unpacked their shared love of Galantis, and then Jake asked Payton to his pregame.

For some crazy reason, she said yes.

From pregame to encore, the two spent the entirety of the night side by side, setting into motion the start of a special relationship. Even with a pandemic shutting down San Francisco mere weeks later, Jake and Payton kept growing closer, spending their time in solitude texting each other about anything and everything for months on end. Before long, the ‘inmates’ became delinquents, evading the city’s mandated lockdowns just to spend time together. Against the backdrop of empty streets, they learned that even in the loneliest times, the strongest – and unlikeliest – of friendships could bloom.

That’s why it’s hard to believe the story nearly ends here. Despite their growing connection, with the city still on lockdown and life changing in ways they couldn’t have predicted, Jake and Payton knew it was time for new chapters in their careers. They were confident they’d remain friends, but as each planned separate adventures, their paths seemed destined to diverge. But call it fate or fortune – once the dust settled, they found themselves headed for the same destination: New York City.

The rest was history. Within days of Jake arriving in the Big Apple, (where he inexplicably ended up choosing an apartment just a few blocks from where Payton had moved in a few weeks earlier), the two embarked on their first real date, years in the making. They made it official in January of 2022, and they’ve been adventuring together in this city ever since.

The most memorable of these adventures came last summer, when Galantis – yes, that Galantis – was coming to their city once again. This time it was Payton planning the party, rounding up all of her closest friends to celebrate her 30th birthday at the show.

True to tradition, Jake decided to pose another pre-concert question to Payton ahead of all the festivities – this time, with a little more at stake. Ring in hand, he asked her to spend forever with him.

For some crazy reason, she said yes — again. This time, forever.