The summer before Bret and Danielle met, they were both on track to graduate from the University of Iowa after their upcoming fall semester. They were excited to get back to school and enjoy one last semester, especially since their best friends decided to stay as well. Upon arrival for the last hurrah, they decided that they would live their last semester to the fullest by going going out on the town (mostly) every night. Neither Bret or Danielle were planning on meeting anyone special before graduating. However, one fateful night these two lovebirds finally were introduced by a mutual friend and the rest was history!

Travel has always been very important to me and on our second date, Bret told me that he had never been to Europe and it was on his bucket list. Not knowing what the future held, I jokingly said that we should go sometime. Fast forward five months, and we were graduating and moving to Denver together until Bret had to start his new job in Chicago. Bret would often ask me what I wanted as gifts for holidays and birthdays and I told him that I always prefer experiences over materialistic things. Throughout the next two years of long distance, experiences with each other were what we looked forward to the most, which is why I was so excited when Bret surprised me with a trip to France as my holiday gift in 2017. We were so excited to explore Europe together and decided to wait until 2018 to go during my favorite month, September! In preparation for our trip, Bret told me that he had a surprise for me… he had hired a professional photographer to take photos of us! To be perfectly honest I was a tad bit suspicious since I had once told Bret it would be a dream come true to get engaged in the city of romance, Paris, but I wasn’t going to over think it. The day we took off for France we were ecstatic to embark on our journey together; There is just something special about sharing a foreign experience with the person you love! When we arrived in Paris we were instantly transported into a fairytale. The architecture, the energy of the city, the people, the food, and our hotel were all a dream, but I had no idea how much more enchanting this trip would become! On the third morning of our trip, we woke up early to get ready for our photo shoot… and when I say early I mean EARLY. I am not a morning person, but when Bret let me know that the only available time was first thing in the morning I wasn’t going to protest. The morning went just as every other morning goes with us; quiet, happy, and peaceful… nothing out of the ordinary or suspicious!

When we arrived at our meeting spot with the photographer, the sun was just beginning to rise. IT WAS MAGICAL. Cotton candy skies, the perfect temperature, and that classic laid-back atmosphere of a Parisian morning. As we began to get acquainted, Iona (our photographer) lead us to the Trocadero Terrace, (which has the best view of the Eiffel Tower) and we started taking photos. Iona was coaching us through poses, making us laugh, and capturing all the spontaneous moments we shared. I suddenly heard her say “Okay guys this is the million dollar shot!”. I got into my “picture perfect pose” and looked over to Bret to join me and he had this huge smile across his face and a glimmer in his eyes. He took my hands and said “Danielle Beeman can I tell you something?". He started telling me how he had loved me since the day we met and knew that we would be together forever. He then started telling me how the past 3 years together had been the best of his life and how he will always love me with all his heart. He then said “Danielle Beeman can I show you something?” and before I knew it he was down on one knee asking me to marry him!!!!!! I was legitimately shocked. I wasn’t expecting any other surprises that day and felt like I was living in a dream! I instantly responded with “YES! A million times yes!” and knelt down to kiss him! As we stood up, he put the ring on my finger and it was the first time I had taken a look at what is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen! The moments after were filled with teary eyes, hugs, and kisses. It was truly the happiest moment of my life… I was engaged to my best friend!