Meet Cute

2019

Alyssa and Daniel started law school together at the University of Miami. They had a class together our first year, but they didn’t officially meet.

January 10, 2021

A mutual friend’s birthday party finally introduced them. Then, Daniel asked her on a date. She said yes. They’ve been inseparable since.

Becoming Us

  • First Date

    A classic night in Miami: the Wharf, then karaoke. They sang “Drops of Jupiter.” Hold that thought.

  • Camping

    They went camping in Key West the weekend after they met. A tent, a long night on Duval, and bridge jumping on the way home.

  • "Kidnapping"

    Daniel took to picking Alyssa up after class and refusing to return her — a practice he lovingly called “kidnapping.”

  • Early V-Day

    She was headed to NYC to visit her best friend; he came along, and they slipped away for an early Valentine’s dinner before going their separate ways for the weekend.

  • Officially Lovers

    After their first real getaway in Bimini, they made it official.

The Law School Years

2L Summer 
The Bar

They summered at firms nearby, which meant a rare stretch in the same city before life started pulling them in different directions. 

3L

Back to school, back to the routine. Each finals season they’d disappear to study (and golf).

Two lawyers, one bar exam, four weeks in Italy featuring Nonna’s cooking and weekend trips.

Distance Made Our Hearts Grow Fonder

  • Philadelphia

    She was clerking in Philadelphia; he was half at his mom’s in Westchester, half at hers while waiting to go to The Basic School (TBS).

  • Quantico

    He shipped off to TBS (The Basic School) while she stayed in Philadelphia. The distance officially began.

  • Washington, D.C.

    She moved to D.C. next. He overlapped for a bit before the Marine Corps sent him south.

  • Swansboro

    His next stop was Camp Lejeune, and so the road trips began. The good news: she absolutely loves Swansboro!

Enter Jupiter, who Daniel and Alyssa adopted in Swansboro. Named after the song from their first date—or “Juju” for short—she loves to cuddle, knock things off tables, and drop toys on your head while you’re sleeping.

The Engagement

They went to Miami for his birthday. During a walk through the botanical garden, Daniel got down on one knee. Back at the hotel, both families were waiting. They got ready for what Alyssa thought was a small family dinner. Instead, she walked out to every person they love from near and far. Then they danced until dawn.