Charlotte and Dan first met in 2014 at a World Space Week event in Dan's hometown of Chicago, where Charlotte was speaking on a panel on behalf of the Space Generation Advisory Council. That initial meeting sparked a connection, and while they were living in different states, they kept in touch—meeting up several months later to watch a rocket launch together. Despite the distance, fate seemed to have a way of bringing them back together.

In 2017, Charlotte and Dan both found themselves working at SpaceX in California, where their shared passion for space literally took flight, with Charlotte working as an engineer on Dragon's first crewed missions and Dan as a Launch Chief Engineer for Falcon 9. Over the next two years, they navigated both young adulthood and the intensity of working at SpaceX together—through live rocket launches in Florida, late nights out in El Segundo, and shifts at odd hours in mission control—strengthening their bond both professionally and personally.

In 2019, Charlotte left SpaceX to pursue her passion for business at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). While her initial work there focused on technology and telecom, she never let go of her love for space and has inevitably found herself back in the industry as she helps to build out BCG’s space industry practice. Dan, meanwhile, remained true to his passion for space exploration through thick and thin, landing at Blue Origin after a brief stint at JPL (which brought him and Charlotte to Seattle two years ago). They have been privileged to enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest together ever since, with weekends that often involve hiking through the Cascades, kayaking on Lake Union, or skiing in Snoqualmie Pass (that is, when they are not off traveling the world together).

When asked what they love most about each other, Charlotte and Dan agree: it’s their shared passion for what they do and their unwavering support for one another. They’re both driven to give 100% to everything they care about—whether that’s their work, their relationship, or their community. Over the years, they’ve navigated many life moments together—from staying calm and supporting each other during the 2018 Hawaii missile scare, to selling out PacSci's IMAX theater with their talk on the first James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) images, and more recently, learning how to co-parent Rey, their energetic Pomsky (born on May the 4th, 2022), with as much love and patience as they apply to their careers. Over time, Dan’s Midwestern warmth has softened Charlotte’s New York edge, while Charlotte’s ambition has inspired Dan to dream bigger. Whether facing challenges or celebrating successes, they make each other better, not just in the workplace, but in life. Their ability to lean on each other, support each other’s dreams, and face life’s ups and downs together has been a constant in their relationship.

In February 2024, Dan planned a special weekend getaway for the two of them to Leavenworth, Washington. After a fun ride on the Alpine Coaster, Dan surprised Charlotte with a proposal, captured by a drone video, marking the start of a new chapter in their journey.

Their wedding will take place at the Athenaeum Club at Caltech, a meaningful location for both of them given the years they spent together in Southern California. Dan’s time working at JPL makes this venue particularly special, tying together their love of space, science, and shared memories. They’re excited to celebrate their commitment to each other in this intellectual, inspiring environment and are thrilled to welcome all their guests to Pasadena for their big day in May 2025!