Johnny was working at The Village Cafe in Downtown Bryan while pursuing his degree in Communication at Texas A&M University. Julia Kronenberger (now Gritte and our Matron of Honor) was also working at The Village Cafe. Julia and Johnny became friends and shortly after, Julia introduced her best friend Danielle to Johnny. Julia and Johnny were studying at The Village after a shift and Julia invited Danielle to join them. Over the course of the next few weeks, Danielle would come by The Village in between work, school, and Younglife commitments to study and get free coffee. She quickly learned what days Johnny was working so that she could get free coffee. She would sit up at the bar and talk with Johnny about many different things while “studying”. Johnny showed Danielle the singer/songwriter Andrew Belle and she loved it! Over the next month, they continued to see each other in groups, studying at various houses and coffee shops. One afternoon, Danielle and Johnny were studying at Mugwalls (RIP) with a group of friends and Johnny invited the group over for nachos. Danielle was most definitely in because free food was a sure way to keep her around. Everyone else had other dinner plans so it ended up being a party of two for nachos. Over dinner, they got to know each other and they shared how they grew up and about their families, trials, passions, and their love for Jesus. They learned that they had more in common than just their love for coffee and music. Through their hours of conversation that lasted much beyond dinner, they realized this would be more than just a friendship. They continued to hang out and a week later, Johnny asked Danielle on what would be each of their last, "first date" ever.

Johnny had known since March 2014 that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Danielle. Over the course of the next several years, they continued to date and grow both individually and together as they graduated from Texas A&M University, moved to Dallas for their first jobs, and then to Austin. Spring of 2019, Johnny began scheming and designing a ring that Danielle would love forever. He thought of many different spots to ask her be his wife, but kept coming back to a place that held a lot of meaning to them - the place they met. The Village was not only where they first exchanged hellos and got to know each other, it was the place they loved to spend Sunday morning brunch together, shared laughter & drinks with friends together before shows at the Grand Stafford, and grew more & more in love with each other over the years. It was the place that was the beginning of forever for Danielle and Johnny. Johnny told Danielle that Odd Folks, some of their good friends, were playing a show at Revolution in Downtown, Bryan on Saturday, June 8th and they should go up for the day. Danielle quickly said yes and the proposal date was a go! Little did she know, Odd Folks was not actually playing a show. Saturday morning they drove up to Bryan/College Station and spent the day going to all of their favorite spots. In the afternoon, they went to Downtown Bryan before "the show" for drinks. As they drove around Downtown Bryan, Danielle suggested they stop in The Village (brilliant idea, Danielle!). When they walked in, there was a sign that said "Private Event", but Johnny suggested they pop in anyways to say "hi" to the owner. When they walked in "I Need My Girl" by The National was playing, one of their favorite songs. Johnny put his hand on Danielle's back and lead her to a table where they first met and asked Danielle to spend the rest of her life with him. Through waterfalls of tears, said YES to forever ever. And she couldn't imagine life any other way.