Molly and Daniel met in spring of 2006 while she was visiting Harbin Hot Springs Retreat Center, Daniel’s home. As she hiked to the pools, she crossed paths with Daniel, met his gaze, and they both felt the magical connection between them. No words were spoken, and they each continued on their separate paths, her’s to the healing waters and his to the woods.
The following day he intentionally placed himself in her path, and she approached him. Introductions were complicated as he was rendered speechless, literally. Instead, they embraced in a hug for minutes until he was able to mutter, “I’m Daniel. I wrote you a poem.” Together they took a brief walk to collect the script, and Daniel’s consistently few words were blunt. “Will you marry me?” he asked. Molly laughed and replied, “No”. “Will you at least consider it?” he continued. “I want to tell our grandchildren that I was so sure I’d found my future wife upon first glance, that I proposed to you on the spot.” Molly, humoring him, replied, “Okay. Maybe.”
Just after this conversation, Molly left Harbin. She and Daniel did not exchange surnames or contact information. She returned the following weekend to attend a workshop, but this time their paths did not cross. It wasn’t until six months later, on a weekend retreat with her friend, that they were reunited. This time they co-mingled in the pools where they shared their first kiss, and he serenaded her with the song “I only have eyes for you” (for which he fabricated most of the lyrics, which as Molly would later realize, he does for most songs) This time they vowed to keep in touch and provided one another with the means to do so.
Several weeks later, after Molly embarked upon a journey to Mexico and had spent time with her family in Michigan, Daniel retrieved her from San Francisco International airport where they would have their first official “date”. This date, like the two of them and their previous rendezvous was less than ordinary. It lasted four days, the first two being at his family reunion in central California. Next they slumbered in San Francisco at his best friend’s pent house with an impressive wall to wall window overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. Then they returned to Harbin to Daniel’s rustic self-made cabin-tent pent house overlooking the entire retreat center and canyon.
It took only a few months before Molly agreed to relocate from Monterey to Harbin. She and Daniel’s relationship continued to blossom, and after a short six months he took her on a surprise date where they squished into the passenger seats of a glider plane. The adrenal still pumping after several loop-tee-loos performed by their acrobatic pilot, Daniel pulled a ring from his pocket, the star sapphire shining brilliantly in the afternoon sun, and asked Molly if she would marry him. Taken completely off guard, Molly said “yes” from her heart and shed a few happy tears. They toasted with champagne once they landed, and on their drive home decided to stop at the cinema where they watched Daniel’s pick “Transformers”. Afterward, they agreed that Molly would choose the film next time.
Almost a year after their marriage engagement, they packed up their belongings, sold and gifted many of their things, and moved to Molly’s hometown of Boyne City, Michigan where they knew they would end up eventually, as they wanted their future children to grow up amidst family. After entertaining several options, they decided to build their intermediate home above Molly’s mom and dad’s garage. The entire family collaborated their time, energy, resources, and skills to create this humble, attractive carriage house.
Molly and Daniel each rented office space in town and established businesses for themselves, Molly’s being a private massage therapy practice and Daniel’s being a personal development/website design LLC. Just as Molly’s business began to take off, Daniel decided it would be more conducive to work from home. It was an obvious good choice, as he, during this time, wrote and recorded a wonderful personal development product, recently released, called PING!
Since they’ve been together, they have celebrated the births of two nephews, Sullivan and Bruyn and have grieved the deaths of Daniel’s step mother, Barbara, and Molly’s sister, Carrie. Now they are raising their first child together, a spirited Vizsla puppy, Jemima. This infinite circle of life presents many blessings, some disguised as hardships. Through it all, with love, devotion and gratitude, Molly and Daniel join in communion and celebrate the all pervading divinity within and throughout all beings and all things. They are excited to journey into the rich sacrament of marriage and are delighted to have the support of you, their friends and family.