DANNY & SERENA
JUNE 26-27, 2020 · HILLSDALE, WI
SERENA’S STORY
I’m so thrilled to have the opportunity to share in this experience with all of our loving friends and family, and if writing an awkward bio about myself allows any of you to feel more connected to us, more involved in who we are as a couple, or even just a stitch less concerned about who Danny’s chosen for his life partner, then this moment of discomfort and vulnerability has been so worth it
I guess you could say I’m a hybrid of down-to-earth and fancy. The former thanks to my parents who instilled the values of humility and hard work in my brothers and me. The latter due mostly to my insatiable curiosity and joie de vivre (common attributes of June 7 Geminis). I’ll let you in on an embarrassing but related little nugget: as a child, my family lovingly referred to me as Miss Piggy. Because of my love of the Muppets, you might ask? Nope - but thank you! Even as a tot, I was gifted with a terrific appetite. While my cheeks have always been a barometer of the intensity of my love affair with cheese, this appetite has also brought me gifts and opportunities in my life – to meet new and interesting people, to pursue career ambitions, to travel and explore. If it weren’t for this appetite for adventure, I would not have left my home in Wisconsin in 2012, taking a chance on a career opportunity in NYC - an opportunity which changed my life in many ways.
OUR STORY
(a la Serena’s fave, When Harry Met Sally)
Serena: It was fall of 2012. I had just spent the summer getting adjusted to my new job in NYC. My friends Grace and Alfie invited me to join them at a friend’s housewarming party.
Danny: It was fall of 2012. My old friend Mack and I had moved into a place together a few months earlier – both of us in transitional periods in our lives – and we decided it was time for a house party.
Serena: I had just gone through a breakup – the kind where you know it’s for the best, but it still hurts – and my new reality was just settling in. Here I am, Midwest girl in NYC, new in a city of 8 million people, and feeling totally and utterly alone. I was so happy to have the distraction of a night out with good friends.
Danny: I had recently gone through a breakup – the kind where you know it’s for the best, but it still really hurts – and I was finally ready to be social and let loose.
Serena: Grace, Alfie and I met at an art show in Dumbo and shared a car over to this edgy, graffiti covered industrial building on the edge of Crown Heights – much different than the puppy/baby/stroller vibe of my neighborhood of Park Slope. I knew I’d made the right decision – it felt like we were walking on the wild side just climbing the concrete stairs.
Danny: The party was off to a great start - Mack and I both had friends from all parts of our lives coming through that night, and the drinks and conversations were flowing. I was in the middle of telling what I’m sure was a very funny joke, when there was a knock at the door.
Serena: I remember the moment we opened the door just like it happens in the movies – all slow and steady, like something important is about to happen. On the other side stood this handsome guy – with warm brown eyes and a way-too-big-for-him baseball cap. I remember the way he looked at me – innocent and curious and welcoming – and in that moment I just knew everything was going to be OK – that I’d heal from my heartache, that there was life out there, and that this was the start of a beautiful chapter. In that moment I saw Danny as a symbol of hope and possibility – I had no idea that he himself would become my life partner.
Danny: I specifically remember meeting and briefly talking with a pretty girl from Wisconsin that night, but there was a lot of whiskey and a lot of laughs with my friends – its all kind of a blur.
Us: The night we met meant something and it meant nothing. For both of us, it wasn’t until the following summer – July 13 2013 – when we again crossed paths at the MLB All Star Gala, that both of us were in a place where we had space in our lives to explore the possibility of welcoming another person in. And that’s where Our Story really began…
DANNY’S STORY
Most of you probably know me- I mean, I’m old Dannyman. You can find me at the yoga studio, or the ballpark, doing chores at home, or biking around somewhere. I like to explore near and far and I love my people v much- especially Serenamiss. I’m often annoying someone with bad (dad?) jokes, again, especially Serena. I’m looking forward to celebrating with all of y’all- the prospect of so many various parts of our lives coming together for a summer weekend in rural Wisconsin has us hyped.
Now do you see what I’m saying? I am Dannyman.
FRIDAY
JUNE 26, 2020
RIVER TUBING 12-3 pm
We’ll be floating down the Red Cedar River
All are welcome to join.. We’ll add more
info soon about where to meet etc.
WELCOME DRINKS 7:30 pm
Jake’s Supper Club
E5690 County Rd D,
Menomonie, WI 54751
715.235.2465
SATURDAY
JUNE 27, 2020
YOGA (for those interested) 10-11 am
The Enchanted Barn
1543 6 1/2 Avenue
Hillsdale, WI 54733
715.254.1557
CEREMONY 3 pm
The Enchanted Barn
1543 6 1/2 Avenue
Hillsdale, WI 54733
715.254.1557
RECEPTION 3:30 pm
The Enchanted Barn
1543 6 1/2 Avenue
Hillsdale, WI 54733
715.254.1557