Danielle and Ryan were in St. John for a week with family, enjoying the beauty of the Virgin Islands. When they arrived at the Windmill Bar for brunch, Danielle thought they were celebrating Ryan's dad’s birthday. Unbeknownst to Danielle, Ryan had something special up his sleeve. After settling in at the table, Ryan's parents suggested they all take a photo together. Then, they offered to take one of just Ryan and Danielle. As they lined up the shot, Ryan dropped to one knee and asked Danielle to marry him. The kids were on FaceTime to witness the moment, making it even more memorable. The rest of the week was filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories in paradise. It was the perfect start to the next chapter of their lives.

Danielle had only been in Charlotte for a week when she found herself at Cassie and Sierra’s house, getting ready for an EDM festival with a group of friends. As she walked downstairs, she spotted a tall guy wearing a cowboy hat. Curious, she asked Cassie who he was—but didn’t speak to him just yet. A little while later, Danielle and Ryan were paired up for a party game, and with a playful grin, he looked at her and said, “You ready?” Neither of them could have known that those two simple words would change everything. At the festival, they danced under the lights, surrounded by music and friends. And with a little encouragement from the crew, Ryan kissed Danielle at the top of the Ferris wheel. From that moment on, they were inseparable. But their story didn’t just stay about the two of them. As time passed, Ryan became an incredible part of Danielle’s life—and more importantly, an amazing father figure to Connor and Sutton. He showed up with love, laughter, and steady support, embracing her children with an open heart and helping make their little world feel whole.