Welcome to the start of our forever

Natalia grew up in Commerce Township with her parents, Dennis and Dorothy, and younger brother, Denny. You could find her with a pencil and paper, drawing and writing whatever her mind could think up, or under the blankets with a flashlight and a book (usually past her bedtime!) She still loves to write, draw, and read, and wishes she could do all three more often. Always active, she participated in basketball, track, softball, and Polish dance during her childhood, and has run 8 Tough Mudder courses with family and friends. She loves music of nearly every genre, and food of every cuisine. Her dream (besides marrying Dan) is to visit all of her bucket list countries, ranging from Brazil to Scotland to Japan.

Dan and his brothers, Chris and Pat, were raised in Allen Park by parents Jeff and Claire. From a young age, he was involved in sports, starting with soccer and tee-ball before moving to football and hockey. Using the brains to match his brawn, he was also a Mathlete, which Natalia loves to tease him about. Dan graduated from Grand Valley State University and works as a CPA, spending his free time playing virtual reality racing games and relaxing with his new best friend, Natalia's cat.

We met in 2018 through mutual friends at a Detroit City Football Club match, sat through the pouring rain, and cheered le Rouge to victory. After drying off, we got to talking, and something just clicked. We wouldn't see each other again for a few weeks, when Dan (patiently) waited at a party for Natalia to get off of a late shift. We swapped numbers, and planned a first date!

After a few dates, both of us realized that this could be something real. Those three big words (I love you!) came quicker than either of us expected, and what came after has been the time of our lives. We've cooked amazing dinners, gone on nature walks, seen countless concerts, and even survived camping at a summertime music festival in Tennessee (three years running!). We support each other through thick and thin, moves and career changes, and everything in between. It's been quite a ride, and it's just getting started.

Dan always wanted a private proposal, just the two of us, and that's exactly what he got. After a day out at the Ann Arbor Art Fair, we settled by the bonfire to make s'mores, have some wine, and look at the stars. Dan dropped to a knee, pulled out a ring, and popped the question...to which the obvious answer was yes.