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From Morale Dance to First Dance

I joined Texas THON, the Dance Marathon at the University of Texas at Austin, because I wanted to make an impact in my community. In my 3 years of participation, Texas THON made more of an impact on me than I ever could on it. I left with some of the best friends I’ve ever had, a career path and my future husband.

My fiancé Angel and I met in Texas THON our senior year. We talked at Texas THON meetings and social events, but never pursued anything romantic until after our Dance Marathon. He claims that he didn’t want to ask me out while we were working together in case things didn’t work out and “got awkward.” A week after the event (we raised $282k and cried happy tears), he asked me to watch the Harry Potter movies with him during Spring Break. By the end of all 8 films we had gone on our first real date and were “Facebook official.”

Texas THON 2017 reveal. I am holding the first “8” and Angel is holding the second “3.”

Angel and I are still huge supporters of Texas THON. Last year I served as the Texas THON Alumni President while he rallied his fraternity alumni to donate to the current students. We continue to go to Pancake Night fundraisers on campus and attended the Big Event together in March 2018. He is a high school teacher and hopes to explore the possibility of starting a High School Dance Marathon on his campus. He never takes off his original Miracle Band (despite me getting him a nicer, newer one).

A few months ago, a Dance Marathon Manager position opened up with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. After a year spent working for another national non-profit, I knew I still had Dance Marathon in my heart. I was lucky enough to get the position and have worked for CMNH for 3 months now. I work with 40 Dance Marathon programs across Texas, Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin and am loving every minute of it!

The CMNH Dance Marathon team in Indianapolis for DMLC in July.

On July 22nd, my best friend recreated our first date at the Graffiti Park in Austin and dropped to one knee and proposed (see that Miracle Band in the photos?). We adopted our fur-baby Jimothy earlier this year and just bought our first house. I am eternally grateful for Dance Marathon and Texas THON for setting me on the course for my happily ever after!