How We Met

He Said: Off the record we crossed paths several times dating all the way back to 2009. This includes in the summer of 2015 at a bbq-- I distinctly remember Fetty Wap playing in the background-- where Donna approached me and said hi with her pearly white smile that left me feeling warm and tingly inside.

On the record in the summer of 2019 (since she doesn't recall the times we met previously) I made a pitstop in Maryland prior to moving to Boston where I saw Donna at her cousin’s baby shower. There was a moment; we were sitting next to each other playing with kids together where somehow I received that same pearly white smile and that same warm and tingly sensation resurfaced. Naturally, I mustered up the courage to talk to her. Nope! Instead we parted ways and I lost my chance to connect. Later that night she commented on my Instagram post, which in retrospect is funny because she claims we never met before yet somehow we were already Instagram friends. This was the 2nd chance. I couldn't let up and replied with a DM. Sparks ensued! We had our first real conversation and the following day she invited me out to dinner. Despite already having eaten, I wanted to see her before I left for Boston. Later that night as I saw her drive off by herself to get bubble tea I witnessed a golden opportunity. I ran, opened her passenger seat door, and hopped into her car not knowing what her reaction would be. It must have been a positive one because she gave me her number.

She Said: Daniel attended University of Michigan with my sister, Jenn, and cousin, Jess so he made occasional visits to Maryland. We met in passing hanging out at Jess' house. He was cute but it was just a hi here and there. Years had passed.

Timing is a beautiful thing...

I had recently returned home after living in India and we were celebrating Jess' baby shower to welcome her first son, Harrison. Daniel happened to visit Maryland and again, we said 'hi' in passing. He looked just as cute as he did years ago but we were busy with the celebration and barely had a moment to say anything more. Some of us who stuck around after the shower festivities were planning to have dinner and bubble tea so I invited Daniel out. You all can probably guess what happened… yep, we barely exchanged any words during dinner.

The bubble tea shop was across the street from where we had dinner so the drive was about 3 minutes, maybe less. I was about to get into my car to drive over and before I knew it, Daniel came running over and sat in the front seat of my car. Butterflies, phew. We had a sweet conversation within those 3 minutes, exchanged numbers before we got out of the car, and the rest is history.

How We Knew

He Said: Her acceptance of my affection for electronic music in which she initially laughed in my face but was graciously open-minded and willing. Donna has an incredible heart and is someone I deeply respect with her hard work, convictions, and compassion to name a few. Her smile is always uplifting, never once failing to brighten my mood. Most importantly she is exceedingly kind and caring to those that I love. The endless positive feedback about Donna from the people I care about is a testament to how I ‘know.’

She Said: Daniel is a fun, thoughtful, and generous soul. The way he cares for those he loves, his family and friends, is intentional - not with words but through his actions - he always shows up and makes the time. I distinctly remember when I knew. It was when I met his family. His family is warm and generous without reservation, just like Daniel. I’m reminded again and again how blessed we are every time we spend time with our family and friends. I’m so thankful for those who have raised us and shaped us - you know who you are.

The Proposal

He Said: My goal was to propose during our trip to Korea in the spring of 2023. However, this was contingent upon if her engagement ring would be constructed in time. Not gonna lie, receiving the ring hours before departure was cutting it close.

Hearing about the beautiful volcanic crater in Korea’s Jeju Island, I knew that at its peak would be the perfect romantic spot for the proposal. Unfortunately, that was not the case as it was crowded and Donna was starting to feel the heat. I waited for some privacy… and waited… moved to another spot… waited… and moved again… all to no avail. During our descent down the crater I noticed the perfect spot on a scenic balcony. I then wondered how to initiate getting down on one knee. For some reason my brain thought fake-tripping would be a good idea so I did it, got down on one knee, said some words, and then proposed.

She Said: We were on vacation in Jeju Island (제주도), Korea and visited a volcanic crater, Seongsan Ilchulbong 성산일출봉. It was a beautiful day - the sun was beaming and it was hot. We climbed up to the top of the crater and the view was breathtaking so it’s no surprise that many people would be there to see it. The top was packed with kids and families visiting. I was exhausted but if you know anything about Daniel, he’s like the energizer bunny - he can keep going and going - something I love about him but when I have the energy level of a mere mortal…its sometimes hard to keep up. Daniel asked me to join him on one side of the mountain to take a selfie but he didn’t like the view since it had too many people in it so he asked me to the other side of the mountain. He didn’t like that one either. We did this 2-3 more times until the other Donna came out - the cranky and hangry one. We started to descend until Daniel got to a view landing off the main path where there was no one around and asked me over - I assumed it was to take another selfie. He took my hands and proposed right then and there. My first response was ‘whaaaaaaaat?!’ and then ‘yes!’. The best part? When we got back that evening, our celebratory meal was at a Korean 7/11 with cup ramen & triangle kimbap. It was perfect.