Dani and Nico first met as freshman at Iowa State University, both attending the school to pursue degrees in Meteorology. The Fall of 2020, during the Covid19 pandemic, was an unusual time to a start a college career. Many of the courses that fall were online, although ISU did still hold some classes in person. Luckily for the Dani and Nico, their Meteorology courses fell in that camp, which is where their story begins!

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Nico first laid eyes on Dani while attending their program’s orientation course. After the class was over, Dani, quite quiet and shy at the time, had decided she was ready to make some new friends. As she was leaving, she noticed a group of students huddled outside the building. She decided to walk over and join them, and figured everyone was like her, new and unfamiliar with each other. However, as she approached the group, she was a bit surprised to discover that they all already did seem to know one another. They were laughing, joking, and making plans. Feeling a little awkward and like she might be intruding, she quietly walked away. Little did she know, one member of the group had been watching her the whole time. To this day, Nico says, one of his regrets in life was not going up to Dani at that moment and introducing himself and the group.

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In the weeks following, Nico would silently watch, as Dani would ride in on her bike to class. It wasn’t long before his close friends would learn of his crush. They urged him to go and talk to her, but he had trouble mustering the courage. Finally, one day after Dani's Synoptic class, Nico's friend (and now Dani's, too!), Ryan, stepped up and asked Dani if she was interested in coming to lunch with their group. Thrilled, she smiled and agreed, following them to the dining hall. She had no idea that Ryan was secretly messaging Nico, urging him to come over, as well. Who knew this short trip to eat would prove to be such a pivotal moment in Dani’s life. Although she never met Nico that day, Ryan’s invitation would introduce her to a group of people who would become some of her closest college friends and would pave the way for many future adventures with them.

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Now, Dani and Nico's first connection came the following day. She was eating alone at the dining center when Ryan, along with his buddy Kody, came up and asked if they could sit with her. Surprised and happy to have company, she immediately said yes. Ryan, unbeknownst to Dani, was again texting Nico to meet them at the dining hall. This time Nico obliged and arrived a short time later. Dani remembers laughing as hard as she's ever laughed, as the three boys cracked joke after joke. Dani recalls just having the time of her life. As Dani and Nico began talking, she was amazed to find how many things they had in common, with similar interests, likes, and personalities. There was a spark, and after this moment, everything changed.

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In the days and weeks that followed, Dani and Nico spoke and hung out nearly every day. They shared time, both together, and with their newly forged friend group. The two continued to grow closer, and on November 18, 2020, Nico asked Dani to be his girlfriend. In a stunning turn of events, she said “yes”.

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Fast forward 4-1/2 years that have been full of love, happiness, and laughter. On July 22, 2025, Nico invited Dani to go hiking at the Coralville Lake in Iowa. They climbed to the top of the rocky hill on the dam that separates two lakes, and that is where, to Dani’s surprise, Nico popped the question. Dani would call it “the easiest YES of my life”.

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That is where their first chapter ends, and where their next is beginning. No longer as boyfriend and girlfriend, but soon to be, as husband and wife. Dani & Nico are forever grateful for the story they’ve built together the last 4-1/2 years. It has been a story full of adventures, happiness, and love. They are SO excited to be blessed with the opportunity to be able to continue to now write their story together, over an entire lifetime!