Real People in Love: Bonnie & Daniel

This week's Real People in Love are the adorable Bonnie & Daniel. Bonnie & Daniel had a beautiful wedding last year and Bonnie chronicles the beginning of their married life at The Whim Wham Life. Check out this adorable couple & their cute life!

How old are you & Daniel?

I'm 22 and he's 24.

How long have you been together?

We've been married for about 6 months and together for 4 years.

What are your occupations?

Daniel is a Civil Engineer (focuses on transportation design: bridges, roads, etc) for a private engineering firm downtown Portland. I am currently job-hunting for something in the non-profit sector (focused on children-at-risk) but I am a nanny in the mean-time. Can you tell I love kids?

Grand exit at wedding

How did you meet?

We met back in the fall of 2006 at Oregon State University. Daniel (in his Sophomore year), was living at a guy's co-op house and I (in my Freshman year), was living in a girl's co-op house. (55 girls under one roof. oh.my.word.) During the week before classes started we had Connect Week, where you are supposed to "connect" with other college students. Our two houses had a social event planned to go star-gazing, so, in the spirit of meeting new people, I decided to go. I was assigned to Daniel's car and the rest is history. 
We talked. Had some things in common. Talked some more. He sang a Josh Groban song in Spanish. I laughed. We started dating about a month later and away we went.

How did you get engaged?

After dating for 3+ years the topic of marriage had come up. We knew that we wanted to wait until Daniel was done with college before we got married, but as for getting engaged, I didn't want to be one of those girls that pressures their boyfriend into popping the question. So, I wanted him to be in control. He asked me once what type of ring I liked, and we knew we wanted a shorter engagement (6 months) and that was about it. The rest was up to him. 
He ended up tricking me in order to pull it off. On February 5th 2010 I thought I was going to a birthday party for his dad but instead was whisked away to a wine tasting at Willamette Valley Vineyards. An afternoon full of sunshine, the bubbly, fruit, cheese, and some new bling bling at the top of a tower overlooking the vineyard. We had a little photo shoot around the property afterwards (thanks to Daniel's amazing photographer brother) and then a candlelit dinner made by my new fiance. He did good!

Tell us about your wedding day (not necessarily elements but feelings too):

Our wedding day was seriously the best day ever. Without a doubt in my mind. I can honestly say that I wouldn't change anything about it. We had an amazing and huge outdoor wedding on August 21, 2010. (In Oregon that's always a little nerve-wracking regarding the weather, but our prayers for sunshine were answered.) The best part for me was how involved/exited/supportive our entire community of family and friends were. Daniel and I could just completely enjoy the day and each other without worrying about anything. Our mission was to have the best party and celebration and I think we did.

Bonnie & Daniel in college

Define Love:

Love is Selfless.

What is the toughest part of being in a committed relationship?

Putting someone else before you. Definition of love/toughest part=Ironic.

What is the best part?

Having someone to share life with. Everyday. The little things and big things of life.

Bonnie & Daniel in Hawaii

What is the best day the two of you have had together?

Besides the obvious (engagement/wedding) I would have to pick the day when Daniel came to "pick me up" in Kona, Hawaii. I had been doing a missions/leadership school for 6 months in Hawaii and Rwanda. 6 months without Daniel, 3 months of that without any phone calls and limited Internet access for email. I was in Kona for a few days before I returned to Oregon, so Daniel decided to meet me on the Big Island, hang out for a few days, and fly back with me. We ate dinners by the ocean, swam with turtles and celebrated my 21st birthday together. It was perfect.

What makes you different from other couples?

Our story. The way we have intertwined our lives together. Two imperfect people loving each other in this funny world.

What is your favorite thing to do together?

Travel. We want to see as much of the glove as we can. He's been to 30+ countries and I've been to about 8, so I need to do some catching up!

The day Bonnie & Daniel got engaged

Do you have a song?

We love music! Our special wedding music would have to be "our songs."
"Book of Love"-Peter Gabriel (First Dance)
"Hurry"-Sleeping at Last (Processional)
"Umbrellas"-Sleeping at Last (Feet Washing)

What is the most essential element of making it?

Communication. "Never go to bed angry"-key principle in our marriage. Oh, and Sunday Night Wrestle Night. He always wins by tickling. I know, we're weird.

What are your hopes for the future?

Have lots of babies and somehow incorporate our love for children-at risk/civil engineering around the world and especially in Third World Countries.

Anything else the world needs to know about love?

Don't be afraid to "be love," and ultimately love.

As always, if you'd like to participate in the Real People in Love series, just shoot me an email!