Our story began on October 8, 2022, at a young adults retreat through Woodside Bible Church. Makayla had just stepped away from her friends for some quiet time with God when she spotted a hammock near the water. As she attempted to sit, she almost fell out and had to “cat-claw” her way back into the hammock, but she triumphed and settled in. It turns out Dan had been watching the whole thing unfold from afar and decided he just had to talk to her. Dan walked up to the hammock, introduced himself, and then we started talking. We ended up walking all the way to the dinner hall, chatting the entire way, before parting ways to eat with our respective friends. That moment sparked something special between us, and the conversations didn’t stop there.

Just a few weeks later, on October 30, 2022, Dan asked for Makayla’s number at the Collective, a young adults group. He happily proclaimed that he was about to turn her message bubbles green with his Android phone (the Apple vs. Android is still heavily debated between us). From there, we were inseparable.

Our first date was on November 5, 2022, at Round 1 Arcade, and by November 28, 2022, Dan asked Makayla to officially be his girlfriend.

Fast forward to June 24, 2023, when Dan said “I love you” for the first time, and the very next day, Makayla said it too! We celebrated more big moments together such as family reunions and things like ticking off a major bucket list item on July 22, 2023—we went skydiving in avocado onesies!

On November 28th, 2023 we celebrated our one year anniversary, we went for a romantic evening to Eddie Merlots for some surf and turf. We had a really great time and were so so happy to celebrate a whole year of our love.

Over the next year, we grew deeper in our love and made even more memories—celebrating birthdays, attending weddings, going on countless dates, and welcoming our godchild, Dawson, who was born on February 15th.

On November 30, 2024, we celebrated our second anniversary, just a few days later than usual due to Thanksgiving.

The biggest surprise of all came on January 25, 2025, when Makayla thought she was helping her best friend celebrate her birthday with a photography session. But Dan had secretly planned a proposal over the past few weeks. He waited in the cold at a gazebo in Rochester Municipal Park and, when Makayla arrived, got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. Of course, she said yes!

God has truly blessed us with a love that’s been written by

His hand. We are excited to continue walking this journey together, trusting that He’ll guide us every step of the way.