Our Story
"Every love story is beautiful, but ours is my favorite"
How We Met
Our story began in 2018 at Howard University, where we were both student-athletes. Though we had shared mutual friends for years, our paths didn’t truly cross until Daniel’s junior year and Latroya’s senior year.
What started as casual hangouts, family dinners, dorm kickbacks, and the occasional Nerf gun war quickly grew into a close friendship. Over time, that friendship blossomed into something deeper, and we soon realized we had found something truly special in each other.
Fall 2018 • Howard University
Our First Date
Our first date was at the AMC movie theater in Georgetown. After the movie, we stopped by Tasty Burger, where conversation flowed easily and laughter came naturally.
It was simple, sweet, and unforgettable — the kind of night that makes you realize you’ve met someone special. Just a few days later, on October 21st, 2018, Daniel asked Latroya to be his girlfriend, marking the official start of our journey together.
Fall 2018 • Washington, D.C.
Growing Together
After graduating from Howard, life took us down different paths. With the separation from the pandemic, Daniel pursued his professional soccer career while Latroya began her Ph.D. in Neuroscience, and we spent much of our relationship miles apart.
When Daniel returned to the States, a new opportunity with Oracle led him to Austin, Texas — another chapter of long distance for us. After nearly two years apart, Latroya made the move to Austin in 2024. Together, we bought our first home and began building a life side by side.
Through every season of change, our love has only grown stronger. We’ve learned that true partnership isn’t defined by distance, but by commitment, trust, and the unwavering support we’ve given each other along the way.
2018 - 2024
The Proposal
Daniel proposed on a day full of surprises! After Yaya finished an exam, she went to the nail salon with Daniel’s mom. When she got home, everyone started rushing her, saying they were going to be late for a dinner reservation. When she came downstairs, Daniel asked her to step outside.
He reminded her of what he said when they first started dating — that he was only dating her for marriage — and led her to the backyard. There, with the sprinklers going off, a Marry Me sign, and both of their families watching, Daniel asked Yaya to be his wife.
Now, we can't wait to celebrate the next chapter of our story with all of you!
July 2024 • South Florida
Our Journey Together