The passage recounts the story of a couple, Hila and her partner, who met online and decided to move in together in Santa Cruz, California. They struggled to find jobs in 2009 due to the poor economy, and their financial situation became dire. One day, they had to put back a red bell pepper at the grocery store because they couldn't afford it, which became a memorable and humorous moment for them.
In desperation, they briefly considered selling weed, which was abundant in Santa Cruz, and managed to make some money from it. However, they soon found legitimate jobs and were able to save up. The couple looks back on their struggles as some of the best times in their lives, and they attribute their success to their love and support for each other. The passage ends with a romantic and humorous tone, with the couple celebrating their love and the fact that they can now afford many bell peppers.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The story begins eight years ago when Eva finished the army in Israel.
2. Eva packed up her life and moved to California to live with a guy she had only spoken to on Skype.
3. The year was 2009, and the economy was really bad.
4. Eva and her partner were struggling to find jobs in Santa Cruz, California.
5. They had a combined total of $1,000 in their bank account.
6. Eva was not allowed to open a bank account because she was on a travel visa.
7. They were forced to put back a red bell pepper at the grocery store because they couldn't afford it.
8. The couple started selling weed to make ends meet, investing $400 in their initial stock.
9. They sold weed for about two weeks, making enough money to pay rent and start saving.
10. After quitting the weed business, they both found jobs, with Eva becoming a babysitter and her partner waiting tables.
11. They were happy with their new jobs and started saving money.
12. The couple believes that their struggles brought them closer together and made their relationship stronger.