Riley and I (Anei) met at Lazy Jane's Cafe and Bakery in Madison, WI. I was in my third year at the University of Wisconsin and she was in the same year at Edgewood. I had worked a the cafe for a couple years by that point and my favorite role to play on a busy weekend morning was barista. But when I first noticed Riley in line with her mom, Julia, I asked if I could get switched onto the register. They made an impression on me with how cute they were. They split everything they ordered. Because I had just taken their order and I knew they planned on splitting, when I got their two, famous Lazy Jane's scones, I cut them in half before they could even ask. Julia gave her name for the order and they walked away. I spent the rest of that morning out in the cafe busing dishes and wiping tables trying to make an impression. When they left I was sure I'd lost my chance, but then every Sunday for a few weeks they kept coming back in and I would use my best customer service skills to try to make an impression. It wasn't until a slow Friday afternoon that Riley came in by herself that we finally introduced ourselves. After sitting with a chai and a scone for what seemed like hours, Riley found the courage to get up and talk to me at the counter. She introduced herself. I introduced myself. And then it got busy! She left. But then thanks to Facebook she found me and I asked her out for a date. Thank you Social Media! After a four hour first date at Mickey's Tavern, it really feels like the rest is just magical history.

In the fall of 2011, after reading an article on Autostraddle (at the time my favorite website) about Barista Crushes, I (Riley) was determined to find one. Luckily for me, I lived only 3 blocks away from Lazy Jane's where a very attractive and charming barista was working. I remember the first time I saw Anei I thought there is my Barista Crush! The next time my mama and I (who were in the process of developing a Lazy Jane's weekend routine) were there for breakfast, I confided that I had a crush on our barista. My mother, being the adorable person that she is, decided that the next time we ordered she was going to make me do all the talking.That was the first time I talked to Anei, but I still failed to obtain a name or contact information. With the help of some friends, I intrepidly endeavored to discover Anei's work schedule by frequenting the establishment at various times and days, with no success at encountering my coffee-slinging paragon. At last, on a sunny October Friday, I entered the shop and was greeted by the object of my infatuation! Alas, being too shy to make conversation, I ordered a chai and sat in a corner doing "homework" for several hours. It was only on my way out that I mustered up the courage to order a pastry to go and introduce myself properly. Armed with the requisite information I proceed to "friend" Anei on the appropriate social network and was shortly rewarded with an invitation to Mickey's for drinks. Exactly one drink, four hours, and one awkward hug later, I was elated. My barista crush could not only dish up an excellent chai, but had been elevated to the level of totally datable. And that was before I knew Anei could cook.