How it all began
Dan is my best friend through any phase in life. We met at 18 and 20, and have supported each other to grow together and as individuals ever since. I admire Dan’s ability to balance it all. He always holds himself to high standards but can let loose and not take himself too seriously at any moment. His energy is contagious to everyone around him and is evident in his relationships with family, friends, or really, anyone he meets. I feel so lucky to be one of those people that gets Dan energy every day and my life is always better for it. The people Dan commits to, he commits 110%, and no matter what, I know I can always trust Dan to be my biggest champion, a gentle constructive critic, or partner in crime.
— ALLY
Ally and I had a palpable connection when we first met. We would always joke that we were on the same wavelength. While on the surface it may appear we’re quite different, we quickly learned that underneath, we share many of the same values (and that can’t sit through an entire movie). Family, friendship, and having fun - in no particular order. I love Ally because she is so eager to get the most out of every facet of life. She is extremely passionate and pours her heart into her hobbies and her research. If she wants it, she will find a way to make it happen and if she recommends it, you can guarantee it will be worth it. Al is my confidant, always ready to listen and always by my side, whether she’s supporting me through the highs or lifting me up through the lows, I know that I can always rely on her. She also has an incredible sense of humor and has become a fantastic cook, very important for the Irish and Italian in me, respectively. Ally makes me a better person, she makes life more fun, and I am incredibly lucky to have met her.
— DAN
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The year was 2015. Dan was beginning his first year living off campus at what they called, “The Shack,” and Ally had just begun her first year at Tulane, making new friends and enjoying far too much freedom in the Big Easy. One Friday night, Ally was invited to come along to a Tulane Club Baseball party where she was quickly introduced to a Junior named “Capone.” Even with all the excitement of a backyard college party, Ally and Dan spent the whole night talking in the corner. They kept in touch and found a way to meet each other out almost every weekend after. It wasn’t until months later, that they realized they were, in fact, dating.
Our years at Tulane flew by. Many Tequila Sunrises, nights at Tipitina’s, afternoons at Audubon Park, and visits to New York and California later, we moved Dan across the country to San Francisco. Our road trip from New Orleans to San Francisco set the tone for the next chapter. Stopping in small towns and adventuring through the desert until we reached the beaches, we decided 9 days in the car together was a good test (and only broke up 5 times).
After a year of long distance, with Ally in her senior year and Dan living in SF, we were finally reunited and spent a fun 8 months exploring California up and down, and an iconic trip to Gambatesa to meet Dan’s extended Italian family. We hit the brakes once Covid hit, but still made the most of it at Ally’s parents house, enjoying long walks around the yard, and cocktails in the pub.
Through the years, we spent countless hours with either Ally or Dan’s families including Tahoe visits, Silver Point Beach club stays, trips to Italy, and Milligan pub chats. We realized our strongest bonds relate to how we love our families and claimed families. We are both so grateful for the people in our lives and would choose family dinners and siblings trips over anything (though we’d maybe shave off 6 months of Covid living as a family unit in Hillsborough.)
As of late, we found a new challenge for us in raising a puppy, named Tipitina (Tippy) after our favorite Mardi Gras concert venue, where many shows were seen. Raising a puppy, it turns out, is a major challenge. And no, she will not be the flower girl due to “recall” complications. But we love her cute face anyway!
All of this to say, this moment has been many years in the making. We are very much looking forward to welcoming all of our friends and family to Ally’s family home to celebrate the start of our next chapter. Please feel free to have as much fun as possible and do your best to out-dance Dan!
Love,
Ally & Dan