Our love story has, as The Lumineers put it, been “a long time coming.” We first met when we were 13 and 14, a few days before our freshman year of high school. The twelve years since we met have been full of good conversations, lots of laughter, and, of course, many, many cups of coffee.

After a few years apart post-college, we reconnected in 2023 (to more than a few I-told-you-sos). At the time, Daniel was working toward his Ph.D. in computer science at the University of Maryland, while Molly worked as an economic research assistant. We spent many hours together exploring arboretums, zoos, and museums on the Smithsonian’s dime, trying fancy cocktails at speakeasies throughout D.C., cooking together, and picnicking on the National Mall. On occasion, Molly even successfully persuaded Daniel to cross the river into Virginia for hiking, a winery tour, and a coffee shop or two.

In the spring of 2024, we decided that Molly would start her Ph.D. in agricultural and resource economics at the University of California Berkeley in the fall, and that Daniel would move out there the next year after completing his own Ph.D. We have loved exploring Berkeley and SF together and getting to know new friends during Daniel's trips out West. In fact, some of those friends helped Daniel properly surprise Molly by proposing on the opposite side of the country from where she was anticipating! We got engaged in the UC Botanical Gardens the weekend before Christmas, then flew back to the East Coast to spend time with many of our loved ones.

After our wedding, we will move to our new apartment in Berkeley as Molly continues working toward her Ph.D. and Daniel begins his new job in the Bay Area. We are looking forward to what the future holds for our faith, careers, and life together!

We are so thankful for the support every one of you has shown us throughout our lives, and throughout our journey as a couple. We love you so much, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

M&D