“She said that my tweets always made her laugh, and I replied by telling her I was just happy someone appreciated them,” Eric Holbrook said as he recounted a Twitter direct message. “It was that simple exchange that sparked our relationship.”
That “simple exchange” was between Eric and his girlfriend of seven years, Danielle Williams, whom Eric described as someone that “loves everyone she comes in contact with and always has a smile on her face that she wants to spread. Her bright, sunny and happy vibe is infectious.”
The couple met during their days at Freshman Camp, an organization hosting summer events through the University of Toledo, the couple’s alma mater. A Twitter conversation led to an “official relationship” several months later, one that grew more meaningful and serious in its own whimsical way.
Eric shared a story of the first time he told Danielle he loved her, seated at an unlikely, yet unforgettable, venue: “I laughed, looked at her, and said it right there at a high top table in the middle of a crowded Buffalo Wild Wings.”
Years later, Danielle continues to foster a loving and growing partnership with Eric. She unequivocally supports his passions – even filling the final slot in his fantasy football league (and finishing second) – despite not always harboring the same interests.
Danielle is an excellent listener when times are tough as well: She always offers a big long hug when you’re sad and won’t stop until you smile. “Her shoulder is always open to cry on if needed as well,” Eric explained.
Together, Danielle and Eric have lit a bond that both continues to grow and beams steadily. “Everything around me began to feel more enjoyable, and I surveyed my life for that reason and realized she was the spark to it all,” Eric recalled.
To those she encounters, Danielle, who works in healthcare, offers the same love and support, perpetually willing to help however possible. A kind and empathetic soul, Danielle cares affectionately for her dog Lilo, her nephews, Keagan and Kellan, and her niece Rowen.
”She has a lot of feelings and isn’t afraid to feel them,” declared Eric. “It’s nice seeing someone get so much out of this world.”
Her love for the world around her goes beyond those in her life: Danielle can often be found appreciating nature, sometimes through activities such as walking Lilo, camping, and visiting the beach. Indoors, Danielle enjoys crochet, curling up under a warm blanket to watch a movie and reading.
“When she is happy and has a smile on her face, there is a sparkle in her eyes that melts my heart,” said Eric.
Eric captured his future goals for him and Danielle’s blossoming relationship eloquently, given their shared love of exploration: “I’m so happy we get to go on the most important adventure of them all together, life: growing like flowers until we have a forest so beautiful that, when you look back on life, you cry from love and joy.”