We met at a bonfire our mutual friend, and now best man, Peyton Stowe was hosting. The evening was certainly nothing fancy—just a group of friends, a fire, and folding chairs. Lily had forgotten a chair so Daniel offered her his without a second thought. It was a small gesture, but it turned out to be the start of our story From that night on, there was a doubtless spark between us. We kept running into each other, sharing conversations that felt easy and effortless, like we’d known each other much longer than we had. By early December, Daniel asked Lily on their first official date: a late-night drive to look at Christmas lights. From that day on, they hung out nearly everyday. Going on drives, back when gas was cheap, and spent time talking and learning about one another. Just a few weeks later, on New Year’s Eve 2020, he asked her to be his girlfriend. The years that followed were filled with love, laughter, and all the growing pains that come with building a life together. We navigated attending rival schools, sports schedules, new jobs, the loss of family and friends, and the challenge of Lily living an hour away during her first two years of college. But no matter what came our way, we held onto each other—choosing this relationship and one another over and over again. And in between the big milestones, we’ve made a lifetime of memories in the little things. Like Lily’s infamous way of eating tacos and saying “backpack” if you know you know. Or how Daniel wears shorts in below freezing and insists lukewarm milk is the cure to everything. Over time we not only fell in love but we became each other’s best friend. Then, on March 15, 2024, Daniel got down on one knee and asked Lily to marry him. And now here we are—grateful for every twist and turn that led us to this moment, and so excited to begin the next chapter of our lives surrounded by the people we love most. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!