Danny and Julia first met in Wenzhou, China in 2018, when Danny moved there for work. They immediately liked each other because they were both so similar in many ways--being kind, friendly, and ambitious (and really into Dungeons and Dragons)--but they remained only friends for many years until fate finally brought them together in 2023. In the summer of that year, they left China together to start a new life (and family!) in the States.

Danny took me to the Redwoods for my birthday, and we stayed at an adorable cabin for a couple of nights. Unfortunately for Danny, he had really crappy shoelaces that wouldn’t stay tied up and he spent the whole weekend going down on his knee to re-tie them (even though they weren’t loose or untied). He also kept finding things like ants, leaves, acorns, and rocks, cupping them between his hands and opening them to show me what was hidden inside. Once, he found a berry and, when he revealed his prize, said, “Would you berry me?” I responded, “Wahh, wahh, wahhhh.” We packed up from camping and decided to swing by the coast on the way home because Danny wanted to show me these ring crabs along the shore. We climbed along a cliff and watched the waves crashing against the rocks for a while when Danny found yet another thing to show me. When he opened his cupped hands, the first thought that jumped into my head was, “he found a ring!” then I saw his face, and everything clicked! I was so excited that I dove in for a hug and kisses while Danny was saying, “You didn’t let me say my speech.” I would be silly if I said anything but yes.