He had her heart the moment she met him.

Danielle and Scott met at the age of 13, and as innocent as it was, Danielle knew he was her soulmate. They lived only a few blocks from each other and attended the same middle school and high school. Scott was always on her radar. But sometimes, well, most of the time, boys need time to grow into men, to know what true love really looks like.

Scott, who was the Prom King, was the stud every girl wanted to date.  And although he could have any girl he wanted, he often gave Danielle special attention. They never dated in high school, but Danielle considers themselves high school sweethearts.

They both graduated high school and left for college. After losing touch for almost two years, Danielle and Scott randomly ran into each other at a mutual friend’s party. From that day forward, they never parted each other’s side. “It was almost as if the universe knew we were meant to reconnect later on in life.” said Danielle.

Shortly after Danielle gained a love, she also lost a love. Her father was diagnosed with cancer and only given a few months to live. It was completely devastating for Danielle and her family, and there were days she couldn’t find the strength to get out of bed. “Scott was the only person that stood strong around me and constantly reminded me that my father was never gone and that he was always with me,” said Danielle. “He gave me the willpower to fight on and to be the person my father had always taught me to be….strong.”

Almost 12 years later, Danielle and Scott feel as though they have been through it all. They are each other’s best friends, and they can’t imagine life without each other. They never take life too seriously, and they live like there is no tomorrow.

Scott proposed to Danielle at one of their favorite spots in the world: the Central Park Zoo. It has always been their escape from the world. Scott bent down on one knew in front of the seal tank, and in the distance, 50 of their family and friends appeared. So it was only natural to do their engagement session at a zoo.

Here’s to celebrating life and love! Congratulations Danielle and Scott!