We are each other’s missing piece, extremely different but alike in so many ways! We met through a dating app – Daniel was giving it one last shot before deleting the app and coincidentally was Rochelle’s first match. The timing was meant to be! We hit it off immediately and started dating in early 2019. Daniel proposed in 2020 on Marco Island in Florida during a walk along the beach. He had asked a kind stranger to take a picture of us on the beach but quietly asked her to record everything. We were married a year later at a small intimate wedding in which Rochelle’s Grandma was the flower girl and our pup was our ring bearer.

In March 2024, we got a call that changed our lives forever and just 18 hours later, our son, Waylon joined our family through adoption. I (Rochelle) answered the phone that day wearing a t-shirt that said “Willie, Waylon and Whiskey”. The voice on the other end of the phone told me about a little 9-month old boy named Waylon and as I looked down at my shirt with our dog, Whiskey, sitting beside me, I couldn’t believe it. That moment was definitely God telling us this was our baby!

As we have walked through marriage and now becoming parents we know our relationship is strong. Our life experiences helped shape us into adults who know how to communicate effectively and appropriately. We are able to truly understand each other and tell each other what we need in our relationship. We are both hard workers and love to have fun and enjoy time together as a family.

ROCHELLE:

I grew up in a suburb of Dallas, Texas with my mom, brother, stepdad, and two stepsisters. I currently work as a manager at a high-end gym and am also a personal trainer, Pilates instructor, and nutrition coach. Each month, I’m always in the top five in the nation at my job, which I feel proud of. I enjoy helping people reach their goals and live happier, healthier lives.

I work four days a week and start early—5:00 AM—and finish around 12:00 PM. This schedule works great with Waylon, allowing me to spend time with him in the afternoons and all day on Thursdays. On the days I’m working, Waylon either goes to a Christian preschool, hangs out with our nanny, or comes to work with me and spends time in the daycare (I love that I can check in on him all day).

In my free time, I like to work out! I train for different runs, competitions, and events and truly value living a healthy lifestyle. Waylon loves joining my runs in the running stroller and hanging out in our garage gym. In the cooler months, I enjoy hiking, and in warmer weather, you can find me out on the water—boating, jet skiing, stand-up paddle boarding, or kayaking.

I also love to train Whiskey, our pup. We’ve earned many trick titles together! Though I’m active, I cherish lazy Saturday nights at home playing with Waylon and cuddling up on the couch or hammock, reading and spending time together.

I always wanted to be a mom—to show a child unconditional love and have the opportunity to teach them new things. I dreamt of having a family that goes on vacations together, celebrates holidays, builds lifelong memories, and plays in the backyard. Seeing all of this come to life with Waylon has been more than I could have ever imagined. I absolutely love being a mom and know I have so much more to give another child!

DANIEL:

I was born in Sherman, Texas, about 15 minutes from Lake Texoma, which generates a large percentage of the income for the area and has a lot of influence on everyone and their lifestyles. My dad has worked in the marine industry on Lake Texoma his entire life. I grew up in and around his shops, and ended up getting into the business myself because I loved it so much.

We raced in the American Power Boat Association in the unlimited super boat class for almost 10 years together. This created a strong bond with my dad and is one of the reasons I wanted to become a dad. I always wanted to be able to teach my children things and share similar experiences with them that will help shape their lives. Waylon loves “helping” in the garage while I work on boats, and I can’t wait to teach him everything as he gets older.

For work, I’m in sales for home construction, and I also have a small business doing boat repairs and boat brokerage.

In my free time, I like to spend time with my wife and son—going on hikes together, working out, practicing at the shooting range, showing Waylon my tools and how to fix things, and playing with Whiskey.