Our story begins way back in high school, where we were just two kids hanging out with the same group of friends. We didn’t exactly picture ourselves as future soulmates back then. Life took us in completely different directions—college at separate schools, Daniel eventually moving across the country, and our lives becoming, well... separate.

But fate (and the boat) had other plans. Over the years, Daniel would come back to visit, and occasionally, we’d run into each other. Nothing serious—just casual catch-ups and laughs. That is, until one day on the boat when Daniel decided to drop the most unexpected question: “Mel, let me take you on a date!” Mary Ellen thought he was joking (because, let’s be real, who asks that on a boat?). But the joke was on her, because that night, they ended up at St. Elmo’s for an unforgettable dinner.

Fast forward to February 2022, and Daniel was back in Indiana for good—and immediately started seeing Mary Ellen. This time, it was serious. They quickly became inseparable, spending every day together. Mary Ellen even moved into the apartment across the street from Daniel. But there was one problem: she couldn’t do it alone. She needed a cat.

Now, Daniel, who was definitely not a cat guy and allergic to cats, could’ve put his foot down. But instead, he put on his “best boyfriend ever” hat and helped her search all night for a hypoallergenic cat. Enter Maple: a stunning Siamese diva who quickly stole their hearts. Daniel, still claiming he wasn’t a cat guy, shockingly fell in love with Maple—and two weeks later, he decided he needed a cat too. Along came Moose, completing their little fur family.

They even tested their love by cramming into a tiny studio apartment with two cats for four months when Daniel’s lease ended. If they could survive that, they could survive anything. When the lease was up, they upgraded to a bigger place—and then a year later, they made the ultimate upgrade: buying a house! It’s now filled with love, laughter, and endless memories.

Mary Ellen had been (im)patiently waiting for a proposal, and Daniel knew it was time. On her annual pre-Thanksgiving winery day with friends, Mary Ellen expected nothing but good wine and great company. But as she rounded the corner, there he was—Daniel, ready to pop the question. It was an easy "yes!" And because Daniel doesn’t do things halfway, he also planned a surprise party with all their friends to celebrate. It was absolutely perfect.

Now here we are, ready to celebrate the best chapter of our story yet—with all of you!

Registry

We are so grateful to have all of you in our lives and that alone is a gift in itself! If you would like to contribute to our honeymoon fund or purchase a gift as we start our lives together view our registry below!