Dani and I are super excited to celebrate our happy day with all of you. I know that a lot of you may know parts of our story and I want to share some parts that you may not know.

Our story is a unique one for sure. I never expected that my trip to China in 2011 with my competitive jump rope team would lead me down this path. Before going to China in 2011 I had never even thought about leaving America, let alone going somewhere so far and foreign.

I knew that I had to go back to China. I decided on a year long language program. In August of 2016 I was on a flight back to China, little did I know that I was on my way to meet my future wife and change my life forever. I met so many wonderful people both Chinese and from other countries, some that will be friends for life. It wasn't until January 2017 that I met the most important person and the one that would change my life forever. As many of you know, Dani and I met on a Chinese "connections" app. At the time I was focused on practicing my Chinese as much as possible. From the moment I started talking to Dani I knew she was different. Most people in China all treated me as if I was some superstar, lots of over friendly conversations that felt very fake. I knew that I would only be in China for a year so at the time I really wasn't looking for a serious relationship. Dani didn't treat me any different because I was American from day one, she was extremely honest with me about what she thought of America (and how our government seems to get in everyone’s business). I think that it was because of this that I began to let my guard down.

On our second date, Dani presented me the gift of some Chinese Acne medication and said "I noticed last time you had 3 big red pimples on your face and I thought this might help." I was honestly shocked, unsure if I should feel offended or moved that she went out of her way to buy me something. It was these types of emotions that Dani continued to give me more and more that made me realize how wonderful and caring of a person she is. Dani shows her love through actions not words and even to this day she never fails to surprise me with acts of love in places that I never before thought were possible. As the months passed I fell for Dani fast but it was hard to get a read on her. Every time I asked her about how she felt she would say, "oh you’re leaving anyways so why does it matter." As it came time for me to leave at the end of the year I started dreading going home knowing that it meant leaving Dani behind. Before I left, I told Dani that I loved her and promised to come back to China.

Spring 2018 I started my last semester at NC State. Despite the time difference Dani and I continued to face time every day, sometimes twice a day just to talk to each other. When applying to jobs I decided to look for something that would be flexible on the start date so I could have time to go back to China before starting work. When I received my offer from SAS to start in July of 2018 I was super excited. I finished my degree in December of 2018 and on Dec 28th I was on a flight back to China.

Being back in China with Dani felt so surreal. Every day I was filled with happiness knowing that I would get to spend my day with her. One month after being reunited I knew that Dani was the one. I had my mom purchase an engagement ring and had her fly to China in February for Chinese New Year. Dani took my mother and me to her hometown where we met her parents. At first Dani's dad was very unsure of her dating a foreigner but eventually he saw how happy we were together and showed his support for our relationship. After New years Dani and I continued to spend time together as she finished up her master’s degree and I taught English classes. It was in April that I finally found the courage to pop the question by surprising her at a belated surprise birthday party with all her friends. When it came time to return to the US again in June it was very hard, but Dani and I agreed that knowing our future made things a lot easier than the last time I left her in China.

We filed for Dani's Visa to come to America after we were engaged in April 2018. After her Interview at the US Embassy Dani's visa finally arrived in May 2019. It was a very long year of waiting. Having only seen her for two weeks during the 2019 Chinese New Year we were both thrilled when her Visa finally arrived. Dani's first day in America was June 20, 2019. Being together again has only made me more and more sure of my decision to marry her. Every day with her is a true blessing and there isn't anyone else that I would want to figure out this confusing world with.

As I said at the start Dani and I are filled with excitement to get married and to share it with all of you. We both know that China is very far and most will not be able to attend. Please know that for those of you who are able to attend we will help in every way we can to make your trip amazing and I hope that you too can learn to love the country of China as I do.

For those of you who are unable to make it, please know that Dani and I completely understand, and you will all be in our hearts on our special day no matter how far apart we are. We will have professional photographers taking pictures and video of the whole event and will be sharing copies with everyone.

Thank you so much for listening to our story and we love you all very much!

J&D

Wedding Day