Our story begins in August of 2020, when we met at Baylor University! Daniel was leading a Bible study through Cru in the dorm where Debbie lived, and Debbie, looking for community, began attending. Over the next year, we got to know each other through Bible study nights, campus events, and the friendships we built in Cru.


By the following year, we became co-leaders of that very same Bible study. Late-night discussions, ministry events, and simply doing life together on campus made us good friends. Our shared time at Baylor culminated in a summer mission trip to the Middle East, where our admiration for each other grew!


After the mission trip, Daniel graduated and moved to Houston to start his accounting career, while Debbie stayed at Baylor to finish her teaching degree. We would text occasionally and see each other here and there, but we didn’t think we’d be close again.


Then, in June of 2023, Daniel sent Debbie a text message about mutual friends. As we reconnected, we were reminded of our shared interests — the band NEEDTOBREATHE, ministry, and love for the outdoors. After several weeks of regularly texting, we were both interested in each other; and on July 3rd, Daniel asked Debbie out. We had our first date in Waco on July 29th and that same day we officially started dating!


For a year, we navigated a mid-distance relationship where we balanced weekend visits, long drives, and plenty of FaceTime calls between Houston and Waco. In July of 2024, Debbie moved to Houston to start teaching. We loved living in the same city again—attending the same church, having shared community, and growing in our faith together!


On December 23rd, 2024 in Colorado, Daniel got down on one knee and asked Debbie to marry him. She said “Yes, of course!”


We can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter with all of you—the people who have loved and supported us along the way! Our story has been one of God’s perfect timing and undeniable grace. We are so excited to step into marriage together, knowing that the best is yet to come!