Danielle

How did you guys first meet?

We were at Sam Valenti's birthday party, it was in the basement of the Hudson Hotel. There was an epic disco ball, music by Seth Troxler and a lot of beautiful people dancing and laughing. Jess, Martina and I were dancing and hanging with a lot of their music industry friends including Jakub Alexander. I still perfectly remember when he introduced Alex to all of us, Alex was wearing a vest and he told us he was getting his MFA at Parsons and I quickly told him that I work as a designer too. We started to talk in the loud room and Alex suggested we move to a quieter area near the bar and I instantly thought he was so sweet, we spoke for a few minutes but I didn't feel like he was hitting on me, he was just genuinely engaging in smart conversation. 

What led to your first date?

After our brief encounter at Sam's party, Alex and Jakub invited Jess and I to come hang out while they dj'ed at Coco66 in Greenpoint. We all ended up hanging behind the DJ booth together and at some point Jess wanted to go home but I was having such a good time and already knew I liked Alex quite a bit, so I stayed til the end. Alex and I had our first kiss in a cab going over the Williamsburg bridge that night.

What was the first thing you noticed about Alex?

That he had great hair and a really cute smile.

Alex

How did you guys first meet?

Danielle and I first met each other shortly after 10pm on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at Good Units, beneath the Hudson Hotel in Manhattan. It was a birthday party for a mutual friend, Sam. My good friend, Jakub introduced me to Danielle and friends Jess and Martina. She was wearing a very cool-looking dress that immediately caught my eye, and I remember being struck by how much fun she was to be around.

What led to your first date?

Jakub and I used to DJ at a place in Greenpoint called Coco66. One night, Danielle and Jess came out to hang and Danielle and I ended up hitting it off. We made plans to go out to dinner shortly thereafter. Sushi. I was late. :-/

What was the first thing you noticed about Danielle?

Why, that S-M-I-L-E, of course!

Danielle

Where did you go for your first vacation together?

We were living together for a few months at this point and we still had not travelled together. I found cheap flights to Barcelona and started planning! We stayed at this incredibly beautiful apartment in El Born with a great little balcony the first couple of nights. We had this amazing excursion to Montserrat the second day and I was feeling really sad about taking a train across the country to San Sebastian the next day, but it turned out to be the highlight of our trip. San Sebastian's one my favorite experiences I've ever shared with Alex, I suggest returning almost every year haha. 

What's a funny story from that trip?

Alex falling of his bike in Sans Sebastian or maybe me being totally incapable of pronouncing Jambon correctly.

What was your biggest adventure together so far?

Tolantongo! Thanks to Carolynn and Alec for living in Mexico City and making it possible to go to a crazy hot spring in the mountains of Mexico.

Alex

What's your favorite memory from your first vacation together?

While San Sebastian was amazing, I think our first trip to the beach at Barceloneta was pretty magical. There’s something about that first breath of Mediterranean sea breeze that sticks out in my memory. I remember the same feeling when I visited Tel Aviv at age 11. We walked along the beaches and then chose the first café that looked appealing. I can’t remember the name of the café, but I remember the tortilla and the papas bravas, the Estrellas and the sunlight. We’d just had our first taste of Spain, and it was a great set-up for the rest of the trip.

What was your biggest adventure together?

Our trip to the hot springs at Tolantongo in Mexico was quite the adventure. We ventured some 4 hours outside of Mexico City, way outside my comfort zone, driving through the desert until we reached the badlands where Tolantongo is nestled within the valley between two enormous hills. You could see an azure thread of turquoise blue carving its way through the canyon. We wound down along the switchbacks for some 45 minutes before we arrived at the cabins where we were staying. It was off season and the “resort” was still under construction, meaning we essentially had the entire place to ourselves. What followed was an unforgettable adventure, exploring caves and waterfalls filled with calcium-rich, volcanically-heated water. We had plans to visit another set of waterfalls on our way back to CDMX, but we ended up deciding to spend most of that next day just relaxing under the heavy currents of the river. The news and media here in the US depicts Mexico, especially in areas outside the major tourist destinations, as a wild and lawless place, filled with dangerous people. That couldn’t be further from the truth, and I feel resentful of the misconceptions I allowed myself to bring into the experience. Danielle, of course, knew these were all lies, and had it not been for her insistence that we embark on this adventure, I would never have experienced what now occupies a high spot on my list of all-time favorite places to visit.

Danielle

What's your favorite thing Beeb cooks? 

I call him the Egg-master. His ham and cheese omelettes are my favorite, I feel pretty spoiled that I get to eat world-class omelettes on a weekly basis. 

How did the proposal go down? 

In the picturesque wine country of Beaujolais, under a windmill on top of a hill overlooking the vineyards. Aside from me being slightly hung-over and totally shocked, it was pretty magical, I was speechless which is pretty rare. 

What do you miss most that you did you together in your hey-day? 

Late nights in the East Village that always resulted in boozy brunches the next day. 

Alex

What's your favorite thing Beeb cooks?

Perhaps my favorite is her chicken parmesan (followed closely by her fish tacos). It’s a rare and indulgent treat. She knows how to get the moz toasted just right, and always makes the sauce herself.

How did the proposal go down?

Planning for the proposal started almost as soon as we decided to take the trip to France. After more than five years waiting patiently for the right opportunity, I knew that this would be my big chance. There was a lot to do, and if you know me, you probably know I’m not much of a planner. I’m impressed with myself in retrospect, and the fact that I was able to maintain the surprise. The first step was to start thinking about a ring. After a bit of asking around, I was referred to a jeweler who was a family friend. I created a handful of designs based on the inspiration I gathered from Danielle’s Pinterest board and my own knowledge of her tastes, and after sneaking off to Philly to share my ideas with the jeweler, I landed upon a three-stone design that would capture the . Our time in France was unforgettable, I knew the location would be a vineyard, but the specific location was to be determined. Surprisingly, Danielle was the one whose coworker had a vineyard to recommend: Chateau de Moulin au Vent (which is french for “windmill”). We woke up that morning and bought a picnic of sorts from a quaint market in the village square of Orleinas. From there, we packed up the car and drove through Lyon into the Beaujolais region. When I saw the windmill itself, perched above an endless sea of grape vines, I knew this was the spot. And so, when I felt the time was right, I proceeded to blurt out something I had pieced together on the ride over, about how we had travelled to so many places. “You’re the love of my life, will you marry me?”

What do you miss most that you did you together in your hey-day?

We used to have a pretty great East Village weekend wake up routine when we first got together. Lay in bed in the sun with the hiss of the heater during winter, or come summer with the window open and the echoes of the birds and the city wafting through.

Danielle

Best birthday party stories? 

Two of my favorite things in the world are: 1. cheap beer and shot special and 2.Pie's and Thighs chicken biscuits. We've made it a birthday tradition to hang out at East River Bar and order Pie's and Thighs to the bar. It's great, already planning my next one. 

If you had to move out of New York City, where would you move? 

At the moment, I dream of moving to Australia, either Sydney or Melbourne. Alex hasn't been there yet, but I know he would love it and I already do.

Hobbies? 

Bikram Yoga, Instant Photography, Planning Trips

Main forms of transportation? 

My white Linus bike that I got at a flea market on Ave. A and the Jetta saved my life this winter, I would have never gone to yoga with out the car!

Favorite radio stations? 

The Sound of New York City is by far the best internet radio station

Pets, current and future? 

Our two adorable orange cats, Patrick and Smith. I want a dog someday but I really want a medium size dog and that will require more living space first.

What endearing traits annoys you the most about Beeb? 

He is such a typical boy and farts, burps and belches so loudly all the time. 

Alex

Best birthday party stories?

The surprise 30th birthday takes the cake, literally. I thought I’d be spending my 30th with a few friends and instead it was like I died and went to heaven. Everyone was there. She had found a way to get club TBA for us, they even got me some time to mix a short DJ set. There were huge bowls of Skittles, rice-krispee treats, and the bar had Club Mate! Best. Birthday. Ever.

If you had to move out of New York City, where would you move?

Australia, Barcelona, London would be top of the list, but stateside, I’d be down to try someplace a little cheaper and warmer.

Hobbies?

Old-Fashioned cocktails. Cooking, especially Mexican food. Beach hangs. Outdoor adventures.

Main forms of transportation?

We have a decent mix between, walking, biking, driving, taking the bus, taking the subway, and getting to/from the Airport. The only thing we don’t do enough of is the Ferry. And maybe one day helicopter rides.

Favorite radio stations?

Dance sets from Rinse.fm, Jazz on WJBL for the crib, Reggae on WKCR for the car.

Pets, current and future?

KITTIES NOW. KITTIES FOREVER. Danielle and I can't come to terms on a dog, but I'm sure we'll find the one someday.

What endearing traits annoy you the most about Beeb?

Her hands are often SUPER COLD. She also knows my only physical weakness and exploits it constantly.