We were introduced after a workout at the YMCA by our mutual friend, Ben. That day at the gym, Danik kept VERY steady eye contact when he shook hands with Mali to let her know that he was interested. Ben proceeded to tell us for months that we needed to get to know each other. We eventually reconnected on social media. Mali added Danik first, but Danik messaged Mali. Two days later, we were on a lunch date at a juice bar called the Pit and the Peel. We played Jenga there, and we could immediately feel how comfortable we were talking. We went on a walk around the block afterwards, talking about our faith and how we had both prayed to reconnect. Our second date was the next day at a restaurant called 23rd and Main. At Libby Hill park after dinner, Danik asked Mali, "What's your view on marriage and kids?" And the rest is history!

The Friday after we spent Thanksgiving together in Richmond, Mali's sister Sophie planned on driving back home. Danik insisted on taking Mali and Sophie to the place of our first date, The Pit and the Peel, before she left. He came over wearing dress clothes, so Mali was immediately suspicious. But Danik did not propose at The Pit and the Peel. Then Sophie left town. Danik also didn't propose on the walk around the block afterwards, or on the walk around Brown's Island. By the time three hours had gone by, Mali had given up on the idea - exactly what Danik and Sophie had wanted. Danik took Mali to Starbucks to get some coffee and walk around Capitol Square. Mali was pretty sad that (she thought) there wouldn't be a proposal that day. But going up the steps, Danik talked about how he just wanted to make Mali happy. He stopped, said he brought her to the park for a reason, and pulled out the ring. Danik had to wait on his knee for a couple of minutes for Mali to say yes because she was so surprised and overwhelmed! Then people started coming out of the bushes. Little did Mali know that while we were walking around Richmond, our friends and family were all scheming to meet up and get there at the scheduled time. We cried, hugged, took photos, and went to Casa del Barco for dinner to celebrate.