March 6th, 2021, we had our first date in person. We went to Starbucks and walked around Deer Park (fun fact...Jim doesn't even like coffee!). From that date, our love story continued to grow, filled with many fun dates. Some special ones include: Axe throwing, PacMan, walking Jolie (she approved of Jim right away!), and dinners for our birthdays (we were born three days apart!).

Over the years, we have had so many fun, unique, adventurous experiences together. From completing a high ropes course and zip lining across a quarry (which Jim will never let Danielle live down how loud she screamed), to countless concerts at Hideaway Brew Garden, we always manage to have a great time. Over the years, we can be found at a drive in movie, having nerf gun fights, trying new restaurants, learning TikTok dances, exploring Chicago, participating in trivia, visiting different zoos so Danielle can feed giraffes, viewing dozens of Christmas light shows, competing for the yearly best gingerbread house design, walking Jolie, carving pumpkins, visiting pumpkins patches, and walking through tulip and sunflower fields. Being with each other is always special and full of smiles.

Jim and Danielle always love to explore new places. Galena, Milwaukee, Michigan and Minnesota are just the beginning of our travels together, and we can't wait to see the world together.

Shortly after we began dating, Jim began a graduate school program to obtain his Masters Degree. May of 2024, he graduated! Danielle is so incredibly proud of his accomplishments. All of the papers (and proofreading by Danielle) paid off! Now we both have our Masters degrees!

For Jim's graduation, we went to a Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox game. Jim is a White Sox fan, and Danielle is a Cubs fan. Even though Jim had to explain most of the game to Danielle, we still had fun!

October 26th, 2024, Jim asked Danielle to marry him in Lake Geneva. Throughout our entire relationship, we have always held Lake Geneva as a special place in our hearts. We often visit to walk parts of the lake, try different restaurants, visit Jim's family's condo, and window shop. That day, Jim and Danielle took a walk. At the top of a beautiful overlook, Jim got down on one knee and asked Danielle to be his wife. Danielle said yes! Our families met us after for a sweet engagement dinner.