Danielle and Erik met while working on the Disneyland Railroad! Danielle left the company in 2015 and while on a visit in 2019 she went to her favorite attraction (the railroad) and Erik was the lead. After three attempts of trying to see him, they finally reconnected. Their first time hanging out (at Disneyland, of course), Erik had to leave early and go all the way to Redlands for his Masters orientation (which was over an hour away-this detail is important later). Danielle thought she wouldn't see him again that day but to her surprise he made the drive back out from Redlands to Anaheim. Oblivious to the commute at the time, Danielle now realizes how much he liked her!

As avid animal lovers, Danielle and Erik wanted to make a difference and became members of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. On their first trip to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in December 2022, they explored the park and stumbled upon the Arbor Walk. They took the trail and Danielle mentioned how this trail reminded her of home. Erik asked, "why is that?" Danielle replied, "because of all the trees." Erik remembered what she said and the planning began! On a recent trip (March 2023) to the Safari Park, Erik wanted to visit this trail first. There is a look out spot on the trail and he took her there. In order to distract her from what was about to happen, Erik told Danielle to look out for the donkeys that he said were on the hillside. Danielle could not find them! Erik waited until everyone left the lookout area, tapped Danielle on the shoulder to have her turn around and got down on one knee and asked her to marry him! She said yes!