I have a special connection to this couple. I knew Daniel when I was at BYU. We lived in the same apartment complex and he was a friend of Jacob and mine while we dated (and eventually got married). Daniel was still at that same complex when he met his future bride McKell. Another Monticello Apartment love story just south of the BYU campus! He was from Washington and studied civil engineering while she was from Minnesota and was going to school for Marriage and Family. They were from very different places and liked very different things but they were drawn to each other.

Daniel and McKell have such an open and playful relationship. They are able to joke and laugh together while also being completely vulnerable. Those aren't two things that can always go hand in hand so I admire that about them.

Daniel proposed to McKell in the sweetest way. On their 6-month anniversary, he took her to a park just off the Murdock Canal Trail with outstanding views of the valley lights. With a little assistance from his cousin, electric lights were hung along with pictures of Daniel and McKell on a wooden fence. They had also set up a card table with flowers, chocolates and a love letter journal. Daniel had written about the incredible qualities he saw in McKell like her passion, support and kindness. He wrote sweet words about how happy she made him and took up two pages describing his love for her. Then, the last page of his love letter ended mid sentence and the rest of the book was blank. That is when he knelt down and finished his journal entry vocally and ended with a question. Would she marry him? How romantic, right?!

I couldn't be more excited for these two to get married. Their formal session at the Provo City Center Temple was beautiful and I am sure the next step of their journey will be too.