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We're Getting married!!!

leavesleaves

Danielle Dykstra

&

Johnathan Karowski

July 4, 2026

Rockport, TX
20 days20 d13 hours13 h27 minutes27 min20 seconds20 s

How we met... Playing Pickleball!

Memorial Day 2022

Danielle and Johnathan met completely by chance on Memorial Day in 2022. Danielle and one of her best friends, Audra, had plans for a pool party later that day, but when Danielle's morning unexpectedly freed up, she reached out to Audra on a whim. She had been wanting to learn pickleball for a while, and figured why not ask if she could join her. Audra was already out on the court with a few friends from her pickleball group and was more than happy to have Danielle come out. One of those friends happened to be Johnathan. When Audra mentioned that a friend was on her way to learn how to play, she asked everyone to be patient. Johnathan had just one important question: "Okay… but is she cute?" Audra laughed and replied that she was absolutely gorgeous, but that she was practically 6'4" and only dated really tall guys. Johnathan, barely 6'0" himself, shrugged it off and kept playing. A little while later, Audra got caught up in conversation, and Johnathan noticed a stunning woman walking onto the courts. He instantly knew this had to be Danielle. Seizing his moment, he walked up and greeted her like an old friend. "OMG, Danielle! It's SO good to see you! How have you been? How's the family?" Without missing a beat, Danielle played right along. "Oh my gosh, hey, I know it's been forever! How are you? How's the family… and your pet turtle?" When Audra finally joined them, the three shared a proper introduction and got to playing. Johnathan was immediately smitten and kept finding ways to ask what the two of them were doing later. Audra teased that they were looking for cute, single boys to invite to a pool party and asked if he knew of any. Feeling slightly deflated that his cuteness apparently hadn't already earned him an invite, Johnathan got creative and mentioned he owned a portable margarita machine. That sealed his invitation instantly. At the pool party, Johnathan found every excuse to be near Danielle, and the two clicked effortlessly. Even with about 15 other people around, and later at an afterparty late night taco spot, they stayed wrapped up in their own little world all evening. When the night ended, Danielle was genuinely shocked. She was certain he was into her, yet Johnathan simply said goodbye without asking for her number. The very next day, he realized his mistake and texted Audra asking if there might be another get together so he could properly ask Danielle for her number. Audra told him she would check on Danielle's schedule, then immediately called her best friend and spilled every detail of the whole story. Danielle smiled and told her to just go ahead and share her number. From there, they set up their first date for the very next evening, a round of pickleball and sushi. Spoiler alert, that date went great. And now they're getting married!!!!!