Love & Stories: Katy and Dani

They have a love that’s smooth as Tennessee Whiskey! Our featured couple for the month of August is Katy & Dani, and they were kind enough to share their sweet love story with us. From meeting in the kitchen at a house party during their college days all the way to their epic proposal, this Texas couple has gone the distance and can’t wait to spend forever together! Let’s see what the couple had to say!

How Did You Meet Each Other?

Katy and Dani: Dani transferred to the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay in January of 2014 where Katy was already a Junior. Dani was placed in a house known for its fair share of house parties, so one of the first weekends that Dani was in Green Bay a party was happening. It happened to be Katy’s roommate’s birthday, so she took a break from the library to make sure her roommates were having a safe and enjoyable night and drive them to and from the party. Well Katy went in to find her friends and bumped into Dani at his kitchen island. We talked for some time only to figure out that they were both on the school’s soccer teams and both played goalkeeper! Dani worked a coffee date into the conversation and Katy jumped at the chance. After dating for 2 years in Green Bay, we both moved to the south and did about 4 years of distance before both ending up in Atlanta, GA and finally settling in Austin, TX.

Was It “Love At First Sight”?

Dani: Only because I don’t believe in love at first sight, I have to say no. But if I did, I’m sure it would have been.

Katy: It was something (if not love) at first sight. When we met I was not looking for anything serious, but boy did that change when we met in his kitchen! Dani swept me off my feet as they say - from our first date where we shut down a coffee shop after talking for 4 hours, I knew my original idea of what I thought I was looking for was in trouble.

How Would You Describe Each Other In 3 Words?

Dani About Katy: Caring, Intellectual, Stunning

Katy About Dani: Confident, Hard-working, Passionate

What Do You Admire About Each Other?

Dani: I admire Katy’s ability to see the best in every situation, no matter how bad the situation may be. She stays committed even when things aren’t what she’d imagined or expected.

Katy: I admire the fact that Dani does everything with his whole heart and self. He won’t back down from a goal until it is done and done well. Even better, as he accomplishes his goals, he lifts up the people around him to accomplish theirs and to be their best selves.

How/When Did You Know That You Were “The One” For Each Other?

Dani: I knew early on, way earlier than her even! It was probably when we lived together pretty early on in our relationship. I knew she was the one because she is good at the things that I am not, sees the things I do not, and we make a good team.

Katy: I knew Dani was going to be a special person to me from when I met him but he’s right in that it took a little longer for my heart to convince my head of the fact he was the one. I’m not sure there is an exact moment I knew Dani was the one for me, but early moments in the first years like him teaching me to drive his stick-shift car, watching football games and eating pizza, and cooking and dancing in the kitchen definitely helped seal the deal for me.

How Did The Proposal Happen?

Dani: The proposal was a long time coming. I had asked her dad and talked to her family in the beginning on 2021. I knew after making our way for 7 years that it had to be more special than scattering rose petals on the floor. I knew I wanted to incorporate our song, “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton, and being in Austin, TX I knew it had to be playing live. So my quest for Chris Stapleton 2.0 began. This could only be done by checking out the music scene in Austin in person and after a half a dozen bars (and about the same amount of rum and cokes), I found him at a place called Jacinto Saloon. After I found our “Chris Stapleton”, it all fell into place. I knew I had to take her back to the same place of where I first told her I loved her 6 years before- in the heart of the city right on Lady Bird Lake.

Katy: Although Dani is from Austin and we had visited before, we had only just moved to the city a couple of weeks before he proposed. When Dani told me about a dog park and brewery he wanted to try that weekend, I didn’t think anything was out of the ordinary - that’s the winning combo of most of our weekend plans! And after dating so long I figured I would have a suspicion that something was happening, but I can happily report that I was utterly shocked. After I made us a little late (I didn’t know we were on a timeline), we took our dog to an off-leash area and watched him run around a bit. Dani abruptly mentioned that he wanted to walk along the path and I love walking around so I happily obliged. There was a musician playing along Lady Bird Lake in the heart of downtown Austin and Dani stops to listen. After the songs ends, the artist asks if we had any requests and Dani responded with “Yeah, do you know Tennessee Whiskey?”. Without missing a beat, the song starts to play and I thought to myself “If he isn’t proposing, then I am!”. But I realized that it was happening and danced along with Dani before he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I never expected such a large gesture but I'm thankful that Dani made the moment so sweet, perfect, and unforgettable.

What Ring(s) Did You Get From Us?

Katy: Katya in white gold with milgrain detailing

Dani: Still deciding on a wedding band!

What About The Ring(s) Caught Your Eye? Is There Any Significance Behind Why You Picked The Ring(s) That You Did?

Katy: I had come across Rosados Box several years ago and had a flurry of rings saved on Etsy and pinned to my Pinterest boards. Over the years I narrowed down my interest to a couple rings that were simple yet unique (like Katya and Christie) with the halo and milgrain on the band. I even stopped in to visit the shop when visiting Chicago! I sent the rings to my sister for when the time was right. Dani picked the Katya and I am so glad he did, it is absolutely stunning. Even better, the name “Katya” plays into my own, soon-to-be “Katy A.”!

Did You Always Have An Idea In Mind Of What Ring Style You Wanted Or Did It Change Over Time?

Katy: I always liked white gold and knew I wanted something simple and timeless. I saw over the years the trends that would come around, but just like my love for Dani, once I fell in love with this ring years ago there was no turning back!

What Are Looking Forward To The Most About Your Wedding Day Or Marriage In General?

Dani: I am looking forward to our vows and seeing Katy being so happy surrounded by our friends and family. In marriage, I look forward to new challenges and adventures together, to see Katy be a mom, and watching our kids grow, and sitting together drinking coffee on the porch together.

Katy: For our wedding day, the things I am most looking forward to is sharing our vows and committing to each other in front of our friends and family. And of course, dancing to Tennessee Whiskey as husband and wife. In marriage, I look forward to watching us grow and become an even better team and take on whatever comes our way and wherever it takes us together.

Do You Have Any Advice For Couples In Regards To Marriage, Love, Or Relationships?

Dani: I don’t want to share all my secrets (haha!) but…the most important thing is to respect who they are but where they came from and how they were raised. Always put your partner in places they will shine. And lastly, always put love first with the big decisions.

Katy: I think the most important things are to accept people for who they are (and not try to change them) but help each other become the best versions of themselves they can be. Realize that you are a team and sometimes you will need to trade off taking the lead on some things, while other times you may need to step back and just be there to support. And if we learned anything from 4.5 years of long distance, it’s that clear and calm communication is key.

How sweet was Katy & Dani’s love story?! We would like to thank them again for sharing their story with us, and we wish them nothing but the best on their journey together! Want to share your story on the blog or on our socials? Contact us, tag us, and use the #yesrosadosbox – we would love to feature you! See you next time, Rosettes!