In May 2022, our love story began.
We were just two East Coast transplants living in Southern California who swiped right and found a true connection.
Our first date was at a Boston-themed sports bar in Huntington Beach to watch the Celtics in a playoff game. (Naturally—we both have a fierce loyalty to all things New England.)
We hit it off right away, bonding over sports, travel, golf, and a shared sense of humor. Our early dates were a flurry of cheering, laughter, and heckling the home team at an Angels vs. Red Sox game—because nothing says “finding your other half” like yelling at a baseball game together.
From the start, it was about building community.
That same night at the Red Sox game, Danielle met Derick’s childhood friend JR and his wife Heather, and the connection was instant. It felt like a sign: this was more than a fling.
And then, a little magic. We found out we had both—on our own—bought solo tickets to a Dispatch and O.A.R. concert, each secretly hoping to meet someone who’d make the night unforgettable. During the show, a Queen of Hearts card fluttered to the ground and landed at Derick’s feet. We looked at each other and knew—we’d found something rare.
From there, everything flowed.
In just a few weeks, we packed in a dozen different adventures: road trips, concerts, late-night drives, and enough memories to fill multiple playlists.
By November 2022, just six months after our first date, Derick was offered a new job in Northern California.
Without skipping a beat, Danielle said yes—to the move and to the next adventure. We packed up our lives and headed to Sonoma County, where we’ve built a home filled with hikes through ancient redwoods, camping trips, kayaking adventures, wine tastings, and the occasional float down the Russian River on questionably inflated tubes.
Fast-forward to August 9, 2024—an unforgettable day.
While exploring the windswept beaches of Point Reyes with both our parents, Derick got down on one knee and asked Danielle to marry him—to start the greatest adventure of all: building a life and family together.
And the rest? It’s just getting started.
We’re two passionate, independent souls who challenge each other, support each other, laugh deeply, and love fiercely. Together, we’re building a life full of adventure, warmth, and endless possibility—and we’re so excited to celebrate this next chapter with you.
See you soon,
Danielle and Derick
We’ll be celebrating in Petaluma, CA.
This is a special place for both of us—it's where we first lived together. And now, we're excited to share it with you for a weekend of festivities.