We met on our first date, arranged on OkCupid. We started at Wormhole Coffee in Wicker Park, and ended at Justin's apartment with a kiss.

The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted us to move in together 6 months after meeting each other. We passed the time by playing an epic board game, Gloomhaven.

We adopted a feisty tabby cat, Fiora, named after one of Daniel's favorite Legends of Runeterra characters, and upgrade to a 2 BR apartment in Logan Square.

We finally made it to Vietnam, where Daniel saw his family for the 1st time in four years, and Justin met them for the first time. Justin got lots of opportunities to practice his Vietnamese. Daniel created a custom culinary tour of the country for Justin.

We got legally married in April 2023 under flowering trees and a rain shower in Grant Park. Justin supported Daniel (both morally and as a copy-editor) as Daniel finished his Ph.D. and started the job hunt.