"Danny & Annie" from StoryCorps

Danny Perasa and his wife, Annie, came to StoryCorps to recount their twenty-seven-year romance. As they remember their life together from their first date to Danny's final days with terminal cancer, these remarkable Brooklynites personify the eloquence, grace, and poetry that can be found in the voices of everyday people when we take the time to listen.
Credits:
Directed by: The Rauch Brothers
Background Layout & Design: Jim Smith
Producers: Mike Rauch & Lizzie Jacobs
Animation: Tim Rauch
Background Painting: Bill Wray
Audio Produced by: Michael Garofalo & Sarah Kramer
Supervising Sound Recordist: Sarah Kramer
Music: Fredrik
Label: The Kora Records
Publisher: House of Hassle
Major funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Please tell us about your StoryCorps viewing experience: bit.ly/2gn4jXZ

[@chase8649]

"Marriage is like a television in color, you never want to go back to black and white" Beautiful~

[@monkeychunkeybff]

Chase q

[@MoochPlays]

at least say the quote right

[@ICTOAU19]

I read this when they said that...

[@redhood4747]

@@MoochPlays why so salty

[@LeonidasSthlm]

*being married is what he said.

[@filmtrain]

To all who were kind enough to comment on this Video, Annie thanks you. She does not have a computer and only sees your comments when she visits our house. She is doing well & is kept busy by her family & friends ( of which I am lucky enough to be one of ) Again she says & I quote " Again I thank you for all your comments which keep me going and Danny would have loved it." Also she says " As Danny would have said, Couldn't hurt ya. Love you all & Thank You "

[@paigemurphy3437]

+

[@amiablehacker]

How nice of you to share!! Thank you!

[@Ysoie]

Leroy Brown Thank you for the update. And to Annie: I'm still so saddened by your loss, but heartened to know there's such love in the world. I hope you're doing wonderfully.

[@DanaTheInsane]

Awesome to hear!

[@Leftistattheparty]

+

[@gorillagorilla6602]

I think what some people don’t seem to understand is... you don’t “want” a relationship like this. You WORK for a relationship like this. If you want it, work for it. It will happen. Love like this is earned by loving.

[@pabloh6369]

This gorilla is wiser than most humans

[@MrMarston91]

Thank you, Gorilla Gorilla

[@Qumayopotatosalad]

Wise gorilla

[@corvidaeisaneatfamily2841]

thank you gorilla gorilla

[@davidpaul6290]

You do both. You work for it because you want it.

[@ember-fire7583]

It breaks my heart to find out that Annie passed away earlier this year from Covid-19. Once in a while, I find myself coming back to this story for the sole reason of how it touches my heart, and now makes me cry. Both Danny and Annie sound like they were lovely people, and had a marriage that was beautiful and full of love. I'm not fully sure or a believer of there being somewhere or something after we pass on, but if there is I hope that the two of them are together again and very happy. Rest in Peace Annie and Danny Perasa.

[@ember-fire7583]

@ABOVE ALL I'm so sorry you had to find out this way :(

[@crimsondynamo615]

At least they’re happy together now. He was certainly waiting for her. Spending eternity with each other.

[@Indianagirl1963]

How do you know this? Sounds like fake news. What is your source?

[@ember-fire7583]

@@Indianagirl1963 Well I saw another comment that mentioned her passing.

[@لاإلهإلاالله-ي1ش6ه]

If you are a Muslim, you will know what will happen after death and where we go. I hope you will read about Islam, and then believe me, you will change. I ask God to guide you

[@joshuastarkloff9602]

"Even down hill a car doesn't roll unless it's pushed. And you've given me quite a push." That one line is so heart warming.

[@TraustiGeir]

It really illustrates how talented he was with words.

[@Luboman411]

That is conceivably the best line I have ever heard about love: "The only thing I have to give you is a poor gift, and it's myself." Hit me right in the gut. *Sniffle*

[@terrafletcher1930]

Full on tears.

[@SamuelBlack84]

When you truly love someone all you can give is yourself. Financial benefits are irrelevant

[@demondog108]

Freakin beautiful

[@gyaradolce]

danny is a poet

[@eartianwerewolf]

Yeah he's got a lot of beautiful words to say, and the thing is, he didn't even realize it.

[@mothcloth815]

He truly is

[@crimsondynamo615]

He was so humble he would probably say, “No I’m not.” But he had such a way with words.

[@ThinkingJeff]

WHO IS CUTTING ONIONS IN MY ROOM. DAMNIT DUDE

[@beeze-knees]

I’m sorry!

[@gwynvyd]

I have not cried like this in ages. This was beautiful- I want this kind of love- I didn't think it even existed.

[@galaxybound7233]

It does, believe me it is as real as the warmth of the sun. Nothing feels better than knowing someone holds your heart close and the look they give you can make your very soul melt. You will experience this one day, maybe sooner than you think ;) take care!

[@randomuploadsism]

Not for the millenial generation. That kind of relationship is unobtainable.

[@Migwelp]

You say it's unobtainable now and I get what you mean. Love for us is like a game, really. Exclusivity is hard to come by sometimes. But I truly hope you're wrong. I don't want to live like this the entirety of my life. I need an Annie to my Danny.

[@randomuploadsism]

Annie and Danny met when they were super young and got married. Millennials date and break up. Unless you marry your first love, forget it (my skeptical opinion)

[@Nicole-zw9pz]

randomuploadsism: your opinion is respected, though I’ll respond with mine: I don’t really think it started with millennials. I think it’s always been there - just for different reasons. Sometimes society forgets how to court. Sometimes society loses a valuable component of love, like commitment. Sometimes society tells you to do something because it’s proper, regardless of whether or not you feel the same way. But that’s always been there, no one can truthfully say it hasn’t. What’s different in this day and age is that we’re more aware of it - yet we do nothing. If anything, we’re now a society full of cynics and pessimists who see and don’t think it possible. A vicious cycle continues. But, with that in mind, Danny and Annie found each other despite those odds. And so have many others before them - and after them. This is just another shift. There will be those who can withstand the test of time.

[@marvelouslee4427]

“I walk in with you alone, I’ll walk out with you alone” And that’s when I started bawling my eyes out. I wish everyone could experience love like this. It makes me so happy that they were so perfect and strong for each other. This is probably the most joy I have ever felt in my life, and that is saying something. This life is not timeless, but that kind of love certainly is.

[@clockworktarantula3761]

This made me tear up, this is a man who really truly loves his wife and a woman who truly dearly loves her husband. he worked to support his wife and though he could not give her extravagant gifts or a night out every week... he instead showed his love for her every single day by simply telling her and speaking with her. professing his love until the very end with pure honesty. Every word this man spoke was genuine. And when he needed her most, she was there for him. taking care of him and showing her love by supporting him until his passing. I hope he is in a better place and if she has passed at the point I have seen this video, that she is with him. I don't believe I've seen a love as strong as this, not for a very very long time. Bless these two, I hope they are enjoying their time wherever they may be now.

[@zimtkind2255]

"It's a romantic weather report." Haha. I love it.

[@gerardonv3296]

Love is in the air

[@chempanda6388]

I was smiling to that phrase so much in class. In hindsight i also was thinking about shift report hahaha o__o

[@justinnguyen2605]

weather is lovey with a 100% chance of feels

[@azizahmad8334]

“I walked in with you alone, I’m walking out with you alone” Every time I watch this video I brace myself for this part and EVERY TIME it gets to this part I lose it and sob 😭

[@Pepilepsy]

"Danny died that same day" The coup de grace, I was holding back the tears so well but that finally got me.

[@syph4927]

Darn I hate looking at comments cause people like ya spoil it.

[@StankFoe]

@@syph4927 then watch the damn video before you scroll your happy ass down to the comments to complain.

[@camerakitty8167]

Danny probably realized that hundreds of people would send letters of condolences and she would have some form of support, so he could go easy.

[@Clisare]

I fully bawled. No words

[@tina360]

i need a hug

[@notasatanistprobably8637]

Internet hug (ó﹏ò｡)

[@dericflairmultiverse4952]

group hug

[@beamerball666]

Martina Carri *Internet 🐻 Hug*

[@gabrielyudi5109]

We all need one after watching this story

[@JumpiiB]

Martina Carri *internet hugs ;-;*

[@WanderingRationalist]

Danny is the kind of husband I want to be. Loving, compassionate and honest. His love for Annie is one that cannot be faked. Rest In Peace good sir.

[@RaidersRock]

"Being married is like having a color television set. You never want to go back to black and white."

[@ellaphx]

Fuckin... Crying now.

[@BombalurinaAI]

I came here to cut onions and cry. I don't have any onions.

[@joycecardinoza]

Been watching this for the nth time for years. Always leave me in tears. "In my mind and in my heart there has never been, there is not now and never will be another Annie"

[@chaoticbiscuit8975]

It's amazing how a short 5 minute video about two people you've never seen or heard of before can bring tears to your eyes.

[@sarahmitchell5206]

This is the beauty of the project. This story was the 1st thing recommended to me by a work friend in 2012. I still come back to this same video regularly to remind myself of how beautiful this whole thing is.

[@anastasia10017]

He not only loved Annie, he showed his appreciation of her and he never took her for granted. Danny was a true mensch with an open heart.

[@mikeolsen21]

Annie passed away around 8:26 this morning, August 14th 2021. She will be greatly missed

[@TheNinjaBlades]

305 people's eyes were so full of tears that they couldn't see the like the button and ended up disliking it

[@EricaStrada]

This 💯💯💯

[@jaden.6812]

Why the hell did I watch this beautiful, tear-jerking video right before work? This was too precious.

[@AG-er7vh]

I wish everyone felt the love Danny and Annie felt. The world would be a wonderful place. Annie, I send you all the condolences I can. Your story is incredible! xoxo

[@drgumper8056]

Every time I feel down or blue I come and watch all the story corps videos. It's just helps me

[@salonikissoon]

I do the same thing. Every time I need a good cry I always revisit this video. It never fails to bring on the waterworks.

[@macydosher6821]

Watched this video 10 years ago. Learned a lot about love, but just what real love is, but how to express it. Started writing letters in my partners lunch box when she would go to work. She worked a lot earlier than me. And before each date, I would write her poems before we went out on date nights. Every letter I wrote always ended with I love you, I love you, I love you. So thanks old friend for your story and your guidance to show my everything how to express that love. You’ve left a great mark and lesson.

[@ParchedPinemarten]

I wonder if Annie ever decided to move on and find someone else. Danny said that's what he wanted, but if I was in Annie's position, I would never in a thousand years. It would feel like a replacement.

[@filmtrain]

Annie is still single. If you had her phone number & called her house today, the message says " Hi this Danny & Annie, won't you please leave a message " ???

[@tinal6594]

@@filmtrain ❤❤❤❤❤

[@bettyllasantiago1599]

Rediscovered this today after several years. I don't know how many times I've listened to this story, but it makes me cry every time. Danny and Annie's story is beautiful because it's so real that in Danny's words "it stirs [the] heart". It makes me wish we had something like StoryCorps where I live.

[@danaelopez7259]

Me too. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve watched this video - I cry every time.

[@jerryhong5230]

2018 and still cry about this anyone?

[@Saraheyp]

Jerry Hong Yes.

[@ElCapitan527]

Same. First time seeing it. Comments a great

[@christiannataylor2735]

2019 and I'm bawling.

[@tasya3771]

The man's voice smells like mist cologne that my dad used to wear.

[@kimmitchell8513]

I 100% understand what you mean by that lol

[@ignoravidya]

Tasya damn accurate

[@JamesJones-zq6xv]

Tasya why would you say this..

[@AncientTruthSeeker]

What does that smell like?

[@izzy.bel15]

Ha i can relate to that😆

[@joeboggio4002]

It is both thrilling and terrifying to know that I have found my Annie. Thrilling because we are building our lives together, and terrifying to know that one of us will make it to the grave first. But what a beautiful journey it will be

[@milanh1349]

When I feel lost romantically, I try to watch this video. To remember that true love exists. It’s rare. But it exists.

[@nickspencer-phillips9221]

I re-watch this video all the time. I cry every time I watch it. One of my favorite stories.

[@totesme14]

To love someone so much, and to be so loved is something to aspire to.

[@livnasuta]

I always come back to this video when I found it 11 years ago. and I still cry every time

[@GeneralCane]

"It's like hearing a beautiful song from a busted old radio... and it's nice of you to keep the radio around the house." That was so well-worded I almost teared up on the spot.

[@Nlong2112]

I think I'm allergic to this video... it makes my eyes start watering

[@danoimo]

I loved this 10yrs ago and I watch it from time to time still makes me cry… here I still am 2021 :)

[@Froboy1100]

I cry at the end of every single one of these friggin' things.

[@thil123456789]

Love, when it's sincere and true, is a beautiful thing. It's so easy to forget that after awhile with all the _fakeness_ out there. Over the years, I always find myself coming back to this video to remind myself what love could be, and what it should be. Maybe... just maybe, someday I'll be lucky enough to have a love story like yours. 🤞💓

[@TheDragonsRose]

His voice breaking was the absolute worst. :/

[@thegoatonstrawberrytoast9312]

Serebanana Well he was dying, so...yeah..

[@rachelhallway8362]

I always come back to this story. It’s such a comfort. They seemed like absolutely golden people. Always brings a tear to my eye

[@garybritt1483]

"I walked with you alone, and ill walk behind the casket alone" dude after that i actually cried

[@judeahaynes8610]

I watched this years ago with my Husband and remember not being able to fathom that kind of pain. My husband passed away and the ache I feel now for her is so much different.

[@amos111977]

I shared this with my husband. Your love story was an inspiration as to how people should talk and feel about love and forget. May God continue to bless you.

[@ZeonikTV]

Annie recently passed away in August 2021 from Covid-19 :/

[@Patrick_Knowlton]

Lord almighty if this isn't the sweetest thing. It's so good to see things like this in these times we're living through, it reminds me that there is love in the world, and that good things still happen, and even though we may all be going through a dark time, there is still love and light in the world, and it will be found.

[@MiMiJane]

This is heartbreaking and so beautiful at the same time. Thank you, Danny and Annie for sharing. Annie, I'm so sorry for your loss.

[@jennihuang5553]

I'm crying so hard right now😭😭😭😭I love this story

[@williamtorres9538]

If you accidently disliked this video, make sure you wait untill the video is over, wipe the tears out of your eyes, and make sure you dont miss the Like button next time.

[@JacobDreemurr]

If only one day I can find a person to love, just as much as they loved each other.

[@brainman]

In my own life and marriage, I have strived to model myself on Danny’s example. I can think of no greater role model to follow. This man’s love has guided me and instructed me in how to love perfectly. In that way, he is alive and well, always.

[@wickandde]

8 years later and I still cry like a baby when I listen to this. This is kind of love I hope I'll be lucky enough to share with someone.

[@bkobusingye]

Revisited Videos in my Favorites. Same tears

[@2000wattz]

I thought love like this only existed in the movies. What a beautiful relationship...

[@terrywestbrook-lienert2296]

A simple honest story of real love. I can listen to this a million times and I will still feel the love of this couple. Rest in peace, Danny. You were a good husband. 💔

[@resolute1922]

Saw this like 1000 times and I still get choked up. The love they have is so rare and precious.

[@werewolf478]

Gotdamn onions... Their love was just amazing, and the way they communicate and rely on one another is just incredible. Love it

[@heatmizer9157]

HOW THE FUCK CAN YOU DISLIKE THIS VIDEO!

[@webz.toonztoon3628]

Oh this is sad my grandmother died of cancer this makes me want to cry 😢what a beautiful couple

[@pjrodriguez386]

"i could write on and on about her" nothing could prepare me for THAT

[@weaverdc292]

I always come back to this beautiful video with these two beautiful souls. The love they have for each other makes me so happy and keeps me in better times when im down. Its going to be okay, for everyone.

[@sunshinem.7741]

This is the best thing KZbin has ever given me. Thank you to the crew for making this and thank you to Annie and Danny for sharing their story.

[@tatyanaLELI]

yall, I have never cried at a youtube video in my life like this.

[@yookzi]

I'm literally crying......... How could anybody dislike this.........??

[@browngirlzandra2]

I watched this years ago and cried the just like I’m crying now. Absolutely beautiful.

[@julianmitchell3035]

Annie Perasa, my condolences.

[@mundotaku_org]

It reminds me of my mom and dad. My mom died of an unknown disease 3 years ago.

[@freddiefaulig8751]

I am sorry bro

[@rina1979]

...I’m not alone at home bawling my eyes out at 11:17PM...you are. 🥺🥺

[@EricaStrada]

I saw this for the first time today, and this is the second time I've seen it. I feel as if this will be a video I will see at least another thousand times as well. 🥰

[@ashleybutler6831]

Annie & Danny - their love for each other was so strong that the whole world is in love with them. Rest peacefully, Danny. We’ll make sure Annie is taken care of and loved. ❤️

[@cansasjarrard8752]

Dear Annie: thank you for telling us this beautiful story. Seeing a love so pure makes me wish someday I can love someone as much as he loved you

[@eeveebo0w0]

god watching this 10 years later what a beautiful story everyone had their own idea of what true love is but it there was a straight answer like a dictionary term there would just be a picture of danny and annie

[@hebercloward1695]

"In my mind and in my heart, there has never been, there is not now, there never will be another Annie." Pow!

[@bw4357]

Man I just heard about StoryCorps today in my Oral History class, I click on the first suggested video to show my fiancé what I learned and now we’re both bawling our eyes out on the living room floor!!!

[@freezingblade7258]

Every romantic hero: I am the best at romance Danny: hold my glasses

[@josephinemartinez7231]

I'm crying. This is so beautiful.

[@Amanda-rp8fn]

I've been crying for over twenty minutes and even though I firmly believe it's better to have something and then lose it, than to never have it in the first place, there are definitely those cynical moments when you think to yourself: is this pain really worth it? But it always is.

[@petergabriel9261]

After three years, my gf broke up with me because she “didn’t love me the way I deserved” I’ve been depressed about it. I wish she would love me the way these two loved each other. I don’t know if I’ll be lucky enough to find someone who loves me this way. It would be so wonderful.

[@Enzo_honey]

There’s always someone out there my man, I’m sorry that it couldn’t be her.

[@petergabriel9261]

@@Enzo_honey thank you brother. It’s been tough. Actually was just pretty depressed about it before reading this post. One day at a time I guess.

[@viewsfromthesix971]

I saw this for the first time 10 years ago when I was 11 and ever since then this has been my standard for love

[@RyeToasty26]

I've seen this video so many times and , it always is both heart-wrenching and warming . Now as I am a youth heading out into the world , and well this is the type of love I hope to find and it is the one I hope that may end happily . To Annie thank you to being to be the flint to Danny's ember that combined created this pyre of love . I only wish that could've met him

[@blade913]

"Being married is like having a colored television set, you never want to go back to black and white" That resonates with me and I'm a 90's kid.

[@custardtest]

What a beautiful story of love and commitment. I am so glad I found your tale. All my love to Annie and of course to Danny. x

[@bangbangg1106]

This was a heart warming story and really made me think and maybe have a tear about my future, my still unknown and hopefully one and only... I know I'm still young and probably gona have to go through many problems and "life lemons" but all I could ever wish for is to have a marriage where I wont have to worry about cheating or divorce, because new generation(my generation) is f-up with all these mindsets and other things. :(

[@PetraThomas]

What a beautiful couple and great love story! I'm crying every time I watch it. Would love to have a relationship/marriage like that where we both are in it 100%.

[@karenjennings9308]

I was so moved by this, My husband has cancer and gave me the most wonderful Mother's Day today. It made everything beautiful color. I am grateful to have seen this and will share with my students.

[@levicarney1162]

3:32 was the first time I've cried at one of these. Man, that hit hard.

[@Leftistattheparty]

I come back here when I need a good cry. Thank you for the story. REST IN PEACE DANNY

[@Seacloudd]

WHO THE FLIPN HECK WOULD DISLIKE THIS??! it’s truly wonderful

[@ameonna8810]

I'm CRYING MY EYES OUT

[@MOUTHWATERINGVEGANTV]

What an amazing story of true love, commitment, companionship, honesty, respect and a heartfelt bond - this love will live forever and reaches out to everybody !

[@nothingsintheflowerz1740]

In tears right now

[@ghostwolf2.058]

I am a 26 year old college student, my girl friend has lots of medical problems preventing her currently from living a fun life like we all would. Every day I get up not knowing what will come, what to expect. But I occasionally watch these stories when i come home from college or work, and it gives me things to hope for, it reminds me. It keeps me hoping that one day I'll have a good set up for my Michelle and me, one day there'll be a cure for her epilepsy or something to help ease it. I know it's foolish to try and love some one like that (or some have said) I love her, as much as Danny loves Annie, and stories like this keep me going. Thank you for being the one to share these stories to people who need to hear them.

[@snorlacroix2237]

im not getting married if we can’t love each other this deeply

[@ExeZeiss]

Thank you for sharing this, what a great example of how love should be. My condolences to Annie, I hope she's doing well.

[@JasmineGeminiDragon]

How is she doing? I hope she stays safe during this pandemic.

[@natyinthehouse]

I’ve watched this video so many times over the past few years and I always wonder if I’m not gonna cry this time. I still cry every single time.

[@natyinthehouse]

Back to watch it again