You might be asking yourself, just how did these two love birds come together and decide to embark on this adventure called marriage? Well, we are glad you asked, as we would be happy to share the story of us :)
It all began back in 2004 during the dreary Michigan month of March. Danielle was attending Michigan State University and heading down to Florida to visit her bestest friend Heidi for Spring break. Meanwhile, Heidi was attending film school in Orlando, where she had met lots of new and interesting friends, including Dave. While visiting Heidi, Dave and Danielle met and felt an instant connection. They spent the week together, apart only when Dave had class. A week later Danielle reluctantly returned to Michigan to finish out the Spring semester.
At 8pm on a Tuesday evening, in a turn of events Danielle decided "to hell with Michigan" and started to pack her car full of necessary items (her cat, her clothes, and her art supplies). She then took off on a 22 hour cross country drive, leaving her apartment, school, job, and friends behind. The next morning she was greeted by the Florida sun and Dave's wonderful smile. They started living together a mere week after knowing each other and stayed in Orlando for another year and a half, before embarking on a new adventure.
Goodbye Florida, Hello Arizona! Their first thoughts upon entering the desert were "and we thought Florida was hot!" and "this place looks like Mars or some far off planet." After getting all settled into their apartment, they decided it was time for a new addition to the family and set off for the City of Phoenix dog pound. It was there that Lou Lou, a greyhound mix puppy, joined the family.
The next 2 years were spent growing together through their many adventures and a few trials and tribulations. Danielle attended Arizona State University and graduated with a degree in Art/Interior Design History. Meanwhile, Dave was working as a sprinkler fitter and taking courses to obtain his Journeyman's card.
In the Summer of 2007 they decided it was time to leave Arizona. They went away with one truth and that was that when the temperatures reach the 110's, there is no such thing as a dry heat, it is just plain HOT!!
Moving to Dave's former home of New Jersey seemed like a logical choice at the time. His parents had been dealing with some medical issues and both Dave and Danielle were ready to be closer to friends and family. While they loved that aspect of living there, it turned out that there was nothing else the two liked about living in New Jersey. Let's just say that things did not work out in their favor and after a year of living there they decided once again to move. But where to this time?
The next 2 years were spent growing together through their many adventures and a few trials and tribulations. Danielle attended Arizona State University and graduated with a degree in Art/Interior Design History. Meanwhile, Dave was working as a sprinkler fitter and taking courses to obtain his Journeyman's card.
In the Summer of 2007 they decided it was time to leave Arizona. They went away with one truth and that was that when the temperatures reach the 110's, there is no such thing as a dry heat, it is just plain HOT!!
Moving to Dave's former home of New Jersey seemed like a logical choice at the time. His parents had been dealing with some medical issues and both Dave and Danielle were ready to be closer to friends and family. While they loved that aspect of living there, it turned out that there was nothing else the two liked about living in New Jersey. Let's just say that things did not work out in their favor and after a year of living there they decided once again to move. But where to this time?
After living in Dave's home state, they decided to give Danielle's a chance and moved to Michigan that Summer. After a trying two months of living with Danielle's parents (she would like to add that this would not have been possible without Dave's immense patience and understanding :) they moved to Ypsilanti, near to where Danielle had gotten a job. Unfortunately, after one month at that job she was laid off and started new career as a full time nanny. At this time the new year was approaching and it was time to ring in 2009!
They were hoping for a better year and although it was far from perfect, things were definitely on the up and up. Their one bedroom apartment was cozy, they were both working, and had gotten into a groove. They would spend all of 2009 in that apartment and for the first time in a long time decided to actually re-sign a lease!
Enter 2010. Their best year yet. Danielle was still working as a nanny and in her spare time putting together an art business called threesixfive while Dave was working away at Chemsol. She was happy to be getting to spend time with her family and they were both happy to welcome a new member to Dave's. This was the year that Dave grew to know and love his wonderful 13 yr. old daughter Jordyn. It was also that year that in May, Dave would ask for Danielle's hand in marriage (finally :)
And yet another new journey was born. That would be the first of many that year as Dave went through losing his job, and then later getting it back while attending school. Danielle quit her nanny job in October in hopes of pursuing a career in craft show promotion. Not only were things going well job wise, but they would move into a house that became available to rent through one of the families Danielle nannied for. The family was moving to China for a couple years and invited them to rent the house.
So that is where we leave the story, in 2011, Danielle and Dave living happily in their new home, both enjoying their jobs and each other. The wedding planning is coming along although at times they wonder why they didn't just elope :) They are anxiously awaiting June's arrival and not only their wedding day, but their honeymoon to Mexico! Where the road ahead will lead, neither of them knows, but they do know that no matter where they go, they will be together :)
