Daniel and Emily’s story began at St. Norbert College. Despite sharing the soccer field and several long bus rides in the fall of 2019, they didn't officially meet until February 2020. Daniel claims he already had Emily on his radar; Emily, meanwhile, vaguely remembers singing "Happy Birthday" to a freshman boy on a bus ride to Illinois. She had no idea she was looking at her future husband—and now she wishes she’d paid more attention when he had to sing a solo of Gnarls Barkley’s "Crazy" on the team bus.

That spring they had time for an ice skating date (which quickly became a speed skating race) at Titletown before the world shut down just weeks later, and their connection moved to FaceTime. As they spent those hours talking, they discovered a string of "small world" coincidences. Not only was Emily’s aunt’s sister one of Daniel’s high school soccer coaches, but Emily realized she had spent her childhood playing on the Hillside Elementary playground with her cousins—the very same school Daniel attended. Since Daniel grew up in Brookfield—the same town where Emily’s extended family lives— family visits turned into the perfect excuse to see each other. By the time they returned to campus that fall, the foundation of a lifelong friendship was set, and they officially started dating.

After years of college memories, a move to Wausau for Emily’s teaching career, and many weekend trips back to De Pere to cheer Daniel on from the sidelines, they eventually found their way to Brookfield together.

They have spent the last few years growing together in both love and faith, and have been surrounded by a strong community of family and friends.

On April 12th, 2025, they began the most beautiful chapter of their story yet when Daniel proposed by the Milwaukee Art Museum. They cannot wait to begin their life together!