The story of Gary and Karla varies, depending upon who you ask.

HER PERSPECTIVE:

On January 8th, 2022, during a winter flurry, Karla decided to take the leap and uber to a stranger’s home (this certainly could have gone a different direction). Gary had changed initial plans to meet for a drink having got out of work late and invited her to his lair for dinner. During the uber drive, Karla notified the uber driver that he may be the last to ever see her again and he gave her his number, in the event she needed to be saved from a “psychopath”. Upon arrival, this human with a huge smile opened the door and when he went in for a handshake, she went in for a hug which was quite unlike the cold prickly gal she is. After some SUPER DRY chicken and rice and surviving an attack from a bear named Hercules, Gary would go on to ask Karla to come back to hang out the next day and something told Karla she had better say yes.

From that first night on, Karla and Gary would spend all their time together with Karla doing MOST of the talking, though Gary would eventually come around and open up to her about himself. With each day that passed they would become each other’s best friend. They would go on to meet each other’s families and friends and would share moments on the ski slopes and on Lake Ontario together eventually creating a life they found was better together than apart. Karla would go on to move her two cats in with Gary and Hercules and the Zimmer Zoo was established in November of 2022. On December 8th, 2023, Gary asked Karla to spend the rest of her life in the Zimmer Zoo (let’s be honest, she knew this was coming) and after two and a half years of growing together, they decided to begin the next chapter of their lives.

HIS PERSPECTIVE:

Now, if you ask about that fateful night from Gary’s perspective the story may vary. Gary remembers getting out of work later than expected one January evening. He took the chance and Karla agreed to meet him after work. Gary remembers hearing a knock and opening the door that January night and seeing a very high- spirited Karla. He stuck his hand out to shake Karla’s and her first response was “I’m a hugger”. Next, she demanded he open the door where the giant Hercules had been rounded up for her protection due to his social anxiety. Gary hesitantly opened the door for Hercules, as his strength lives up to his name, and knew that there was no holding him back. Hercules rushed Karla as expected and luckily did not send her through the drywall. Gary then went on to provide Karla with some fine dining, his “world-famous” grilled chicken and rice. He realized from that moment on that he had something special…his grilled chicken must be even better than he could have even imagined, as Karla agreed to hang out with him again.

Gary and Karla went on to find many shared interests and enjoy each other’s company. Their relationship grew further as they bonded and attended the mighty New England Patriots take on the Buffalo Bills during the coldest game in NFL history. They also hit the slopes and skied the hills of Western New York. Gary went on to meet Karla’s family during Mother’s Day brunch, where they were much quieter than usual as he would later learn. Gary surprised his mother with meeting Karla as well. Karla went on to move in with Gary and Hercules, after which Karla made many executive decisions to change the interior design. Gary and Karla would enjoy two summers together at the pool and on Lake Ontario. Gary then asked Karla to marry him one evening in December and she put on an A+ performance acting surprised. Although this was far from a surprise to her, as this is the same girl that would unwrap her Christmas presents as a child to see what she was getting and then stealthily re- wrap her gifts. Fast forward two and a half years later, and Gary and Karla take on the next step of their relationship.