The Hoppiest Place On Earth
By Jasmine Chung
A simple hour-long drive from the University of California, Irvine to get to one of the kooky-est spots in California: The Bunny Museum, a living house museum that features over 30,000 bunny-related items. Located in Pasadena, a UCI student is close enough to drive over for a day's treat.
30,312 tiny bunny eyes stare at me as I enter the living bunny museum. Real bunnies, stuffed bunnies, ceramic bunnies, chocolate bunnies, Easter bunnies, the list is endless! The peculiar museum has caught the attention of thousands of people worldwide but it is much more than just a strange fetish. Behind the beady-eyed bunnies is a strong love story between husband and wife.
Candace Frazee and Steve Lubanski, the owners and founders of the Bunny Museum, started their [now] massive collection of bunny related items 22-years ago in 1992 when Steve gifted his wife a white stuffed bunny for Valentine's Day [It is now showcased in a glass box pictured on the right.] Not baby or sweetie, but honey-bunny was the name the couple has been calling each other for years and what had prompted Steve to gift Candace a bunny. This would be the first bunny of their collection. Ever since the first bunny had been given, it became almost an inside joke between the two to get each another a bunny-related item for every holiday.
Within the first year of bunny-gifting, Steve gave Candace a bunny a few days before Halloween. There was no occasion. Candace refused and told him, “No! Steve, just wait until Halloween to give it to me!” But he just couldn’t wait. From that moment on, the two decided to gift each other a bunny every single day for the rest of their lives. To this day, the number of bunnies continues to grow by two daily.
They are [and have been] a Guinness World Record holder for having 28,423 bunny-themed items as of March 25, 2011. However, as of today, their numbers are in the thirty thousands.
Within the first year of bunny-gifting, Steve gave Candace a bunny a few days before Halloween. There was no occasion. Candace refused and told him, “No! Steve, just wait until Halloween to give it to me!” But he just couldn’t wait. From that moment on, the two decided to gift each other a bunny every single day for the rest of their lives. To this day, the number of bunnies continues to grow by two daily.
They are [and have been] a Guinness World Record holder for having 28,423 bunny-themed items as of March 25, 2011. However, as of today, their numbers are in the thirty thousands.
It is safe to say that The Bunny Museum is definitely one of the most unique places I have ever been to in my life. Bunny-related items completely decorate the entire home from floor to ceiling. “Most of their furniture, light fixtures, kitchenware, toiletries, books, and games are bunny themed.” their website states. Although the house seems cluttered and crowded, Candace tells me that it never gets in the way of their everyday lives. “We cook here, we eat there, we watch TV in there, and it’s just become our way of life!” Candace says enthusiastically.
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We cook here, we eat there, we watch TV in there, and it's just become our way of life! |
Steve and Candaces relationship only grows stronger each day just as their collection grows larger each day. Their hobby of collecting bunnies is definitely a commonality and a bond that they have decided to grow together and they continue to nurture and feed it daily. Although different, this act of love only confirms their dedication to one another. They are in this together, not because they produce somewhat of a revenue [$5 per visitor] through their museum, but because they love what they do and they share in this obsession together.
The saying, “one persons trash is another persons treasure” stuck out to me through the way that they live. They found value in trinkets that other people would store away in their basements. It was inspiring to see people carry out something they love although it may not be deemed as normal. They broke out of the mold of a habitual lifestyle and begun to engage in unconventional living everyday. This is something I can only wish to live out myself one day.
As I get ready to leave, Candace asks me to pose next to her bunnies to post on their Facebook page. I smile and as I start to walk out, she exclaims, “Nice meeting you! Have a hoppy day!” As immature as the pun was, it gave me an odd sort of joy. Not for myself, but for Candace and her husband. I was proud to see two people so dedicated and okay with being different. True hoppiness is not only contagious, but inspiring.
As I get ready to leave, Candace asks me to pose next to her bunnies to post on their Facebook page. I smile and as I start to walk out, she exclaims, “Nice meeting you! Have a hoppy day!” As immature as the pun was, it gave me an odd sort of joy. Not for myself, but for Candace and her husband. I was proud to see two people so dedicated and okay with being different. True hoppiness is not only contagious, but inspiring.