After growing up in the same town their whole lives, Danny and Jen met (officially) during their senior year of high school through mutual friends, eventually ending up at prom together! That was the start of their romance, but it was soon put to the test. Danny went to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, while Jen attended California State University, Long Beach. Even though they were 2,000 miles apart for four years, they learned to make the best of it. Summers included a few weeks at a time at home for Danny, and almost every three-day weekend, Jen flew over to visit for either an adventure to a new part of the East Coast or a class ball at West Point. Holidays were split between each of their families and friends. The distance and difficulties created by the military only made their relationship stronger and helped them understand how valuable their time together truly is. Now, as they prepare to commit their lives to each other, they take nothing for granted.

It was a classic ruse. There was the thinly-veiled, just-believable-enough excuse for Daniel to take Jen out for a drive, there was the candlelight setup hidden on the far side of a hill by a lake, and there was the ambush of camera-wielding friends, champagne and congratulations at the ready. Dusk fell, and the lake turned to glass. On their cue, the choir of cicadas and dusky gopher frogs I hired opened up. I think Jen cried a little bit when she realized what was happening, then it was over - a culmination of five years of joy, of sacrifice, and of profound dedication, crystallized forever on Jen’s finger with a simple “Yes!” It was a lovely thing to witness. I’m sorry most of you couldn’t be there. The sun set, and everyone who was there that night went home feeling a little more at peace, a little more hopeful. Love is contagious, I suppose. I followed them down the winding dirt roads off the lake and onto Dixie Road, and as I sped past them, blaring “Welcome to the Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance, Jen waved at me with her newly-ringed hand. Show off. Save the date, folks. -Best Man