Firehouse Five: the dance studio that we both found as a Sunday evening retreat from our weekday rhythm. Looking forward to this highlight of the weekend felt natural to both of us, but then that anticipation suspiciously started to grow as we found that we significantly preferred that one dance partner...

Daniel's Approach: find out if this girl is worth his time. A first date that falls in line with his business trip to Chico? Efficient and low key would be perfect.

So it landed on our calendars, December 12th, 2019.

Bri's Impression: that was pleasant getting to know him better... but in that suit? He's probably just an executive type who happens to be good at dancing. He can make another move if he's interested.

And he was.

Next Date: got Daniel researching what Chico has to offer on a Thursday night in January. Not much! His progressive dinner idea had her impressed, but wondering how she could politely keep it to one stop...

A Small Shift: Appetizers and great conversation made that tired feeling melt away and replacing it was a general glow of excitement. This guy is amazing! Could be something more?

A Little Encouragement: Bri reached for his hand while walking to the car... yep, that was enough to keep a budding romance going.

Soon enough we were syncing calendars to make two wildly busy lives rearrange for maximum time together.

Suddenly: Bri exploring painting venues in Auburn became a reason for Daniel to be available for any waking moment she could offer. A dance convention in Sacramento became the best Valentine's weekend ever. Bri's trip to Nicaragua unleashed a slew of lengthy and loving emails, back and forth and beautiful enough to eventually turn into a piece of art.

We found that our hearts were ready for this love story and we kept making time and space for each other.

Enter COVID: say what?! Lots of changes and some difficult circumstances made both of our worlds unsettled... but now, the opportunities to see each other were everywhere. Everything that might be called classic dating was shut down, but we were certain we'd continue seeing each other.

Creativity was abundant in this season. Daniel was intentional and made sure to initiate the hard conversations. Bri was playful and wanted all her friends to meet him as soon as possible.

We grew to trust each other, explored our faith together, and kept on dancing.

The intensity of this relationship growth felt like a fairy tale, and we could eventually tell that living two hours away from each other just wouldn't work for us any longer. We wanted to experience day in day out life alongside each other, build relationship with James, and answer the question: Is this really my forever person?

The Big Move: just before Thanksgiving, Daniel's investment in this Chico relationship landed him in an upstairs unit on Almandor Circle. Bri and James were thrilled to be able to see him more.

We really revelled in this amazing new perk: seven minutes between our homes? Yay! Why not see each other every day?! A wonderful new phase had arrived.

Holidays with Family: Langs and Downards welcomed each other with exuberance and could tell that we were serious. Daniel started dropping more obvious proposal hints and both of us just knew.... we want to be husband and wife!

Daniel wasn't shy at all about sharing this and started looping our friends and family into a brilliant engagement plan. Including the people we love in that precious moment? Yes, that would be sure to delight his future bride.

Of course Bri said yes! With many of you there to witness and celebrate and ask, WHEN?!

Our Answer: SOON!

Most people don't try to pull a wedding together in a couple months, but since we happen to both be planners and we know what we want, we're excited to have a small spring gathering and continue this love story with your support.

Here we are: absurdly grateful that God brought us together, provided healing for our hearts, and surrounded us with you.

You are our people who know us well and have walked with us and it is with much joy that we invite you to participate in our wedding. Thank you for joining us as we choose to love each other forever!