Andy Warhol is credited with stating that everyone gets 15 minutes of fame. For some, that 15 minutes is just a blink of the eye. For some, though, it becomes a much longer time frame that they capitalize on, even if they weren’t ready for what was to come. For this couple, Dan and Wendy, their fame game overnight and continued long after due to the heart wrenching and beautiful tale of their relationship. Though they were young, they showed a wisdom that many never find in their own love life, and their story is one that shows the power of confidence and trust.
The Photograph that Started it All
While this photo doesn’t seem to tell any particular story other than two young people in love, it quickly set the internet ablaze as the story behind the couple was one that hit all the right notes of a good novel or film.
Dan Hennessey
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It all started with Dan Hennessey, an 18-year-old Montclair State University sophomore from New Jersey. He was a student of exercise science and had a plan for his future. At 16, he had no idea how the move to college would change his life, or how lonely he would find himself just a few years in.
Finding Someone
While it may seem like it is easy to find others in college, that isn’t always the case. Turning to Facebook, Dan hoped to meet new people. Ultimately, he really wanted to find love. This small act would lead to a roller coaster of emotions over a significant portion of his life.
Meeting Wendy
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Initially, Dan sent out a few friend requests to girls near where he lived. Wendy Joseph, 17 at the time, was one of those to which he reached out. Daphne, a friend of Wendy’s was also one of the people he reached out to, which gave Wendy hesitation in her response. She didn’t know Dan yet, and though it was odd that he would randomly reach out to her and a friend.
Rejection
At first, Wendy rejected Dan’s request, but he was persistent. That persistence worked out which led to the two chatting online. With a few common interests, Dan took the step to invite her over to a party. He expected a no, but was surprised when she accepted the invite. Unfortunately, he expected rejection and was not prepared for anything else.
Aint No Party
Dan didn’t have a party planned. He was just trying to meet with Wendy and had no inclination that she would accept the invite. So when she said she would come, Dan was in scramble mode to get a party started. That night, at a party that seemed planned all along, Dan and Wendy started to feel the chemistry between them and spent the entire party together. But this isn’t a typical love story.
The Friend Zone
Dan learned that Wendy had just come out of a long-term relationship, and was not ready for anything serious. Dan, on the other hand, was now enjoying the party life. While the two had become close friends, they stayed that way for quiet some time until they finally decided to take things forward.
Good Intentions
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After being friends for six months, Dan and Wendy decided to give a relationship a try. They were happy and loved each other a great deal. Their relationship was so solid, in fact, that it took seven years before they realized they were sabotaging themselves. Wendy made one of the most painful choices of her life.
Not Just a Seven Year Itch
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It wasn’t just a seven year itch that had forced Wendy to make the choice to break the relationship, it was the realization that the two were together for so long, starting at such a young age, that they didn’t know who they were on their own. Wendy had a successful YouTube channel, and Dan needed to learn more about who he was. The two understood the decision and knew that, if it all worked out, this was just one step in creating a stronger relationship.
Magnetism
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The time alone was difficult for Dan, and Wendy, but that is where they both grew. Wendy’s YouTube channel was making enough to help her go to college and now that she had found what she wanted, the two rekindled their relationship and it was stronger now, than ever before.
Ten Years
Dan started to show up on Wendy’s YouTube channel which fans loved. This lead to a growth in their Instagram profiles and internet fame. Now, 10 years into their relationship, sans-a short break, Wendy posted a side by side shot from 2007 and 2017 of the couple. “I used to wear my hair stuck to my face every day and Dan used to shave every week! Now we just take serious swimsuit pictures in different countries.” Wendy said.
The Power of Finding Themselves
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Overnight, the internet was a blaze with the change they saw in the couple. Many said that the two seemed to have aged backwards. The time apart allowed the two to spend time on bettering their minds and bodies, learning to eat healthy, find their own style, work out, and grow their confidence. The change inspired many.
The Next Step
On a trip to Paris in September 2016, Dan made the choice to change their lives forever. Down on one knee, he proposed to Wendy. Without hesitation she screamed yes and quickly posted her new ring to Instagram.
Jet Set
The two seem to be on a non-stop vacation. They have posted images from their trips to Las Vegas, Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Thailand, all from a fitness-focused social media presence.
A Life of Fitness
The two were always into health and fitness, but together, they have pushed each other to learn even more. Wendy’s YouTube channel was already a good size, but the focus on fitness changed things as they started to progress towards nutritional advice, health, fitness and beauty. Then they realized YouTube wasn’t big enough for their dreams.
Fitness as Their Business
Dan and Wendy decided to found True4You Fitness, which is a company that gives specific couching on nutrition, exercise and fitness to their clients. They also returned to YouTube to create a wellness-focused channel, which they discuss life, relationship and health.
One of Many Secrets
One of the secrets to their successful relationship has been their desire to embrace their shared love of fitness. By training together and constantly pushing for a healthier lifestyle the two have grown closer by the day. They have become an inspiration to many, changing minds, bodies, and health, all by doing what they believe.
Leaving Jersey
As New Jersey natives, it was likely a hard choice when they decided to move to the warmer San Diego. California seemed to be the right choice for them as they wanted to be outside more, in swim suits, and constantly experiencing nature as part of their daily routine.
Branching Out
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As their business grew, they realized that they needed to do more to continue to keep up with the demand they were facing. Their Instagram fitness page started to include a website which lets people around the world go on the fitness journey they both followed. This allowed them to expand their business and continue to push for what they truly believe.
The Future
As of this writing, the two have not yet set a wedding date, but it is sure to be one that is talked about by their thousands of adoring fans. Ultimately, the two fell in love, broke it up to try to strengthen who they were, found it only strengthened their relationship and turned their mutual love of health into a business that has helped their fans. Whatever they future holds for the couple, it seems to be a storybook ending once all is said and done.