A woman who married a stranger she met on TikTok for “life experience” fell in love with her husband — and “couldn’t be happier.”
Danielle Gross, 26, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, always knew she’d get married in a “silly way,” but never imagined they’d marry someone she’d never met before.
The chance encounter came about when content creator Danielle came across a TikTok video of Gunnar Michels, 26, saying he was looking for a stranger to marry him.
However, Danielle wasn’t the only person interested in marrying Gunnar, who said she came up with the idea in January 2021.
Gunnar explains, “During the pandemic, I was looking for a way to create content and meet people.
Gunnar Michels and Danielle Gross met online after Gunnar posted a video asking to marry a stranger. The couple planned to separate after a week, but fell in love
Danielle and Gunnar converted an old ambulance into a livable van and traveled across America exploring the country and getting to know each other
The spontaneous couple traveled for nearly two years after they got married, but have now settled into Danielle’s home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where they plan to buy a home.
“I came up with the idea of marrying a stranger. It was pretty wild.
“I wasn’t seriously looking for a life partner — more to get some life experience, but so many people wanted to do it.
“I had them make me a video about why they would be a good fit for me. Danielle posted a video and it was hard to miss.”
Danielle was one of thousands of strangers competing for Gunnar’s marriage.
Danielle said, “My video went viral. I had an army of people who made him choose me.’
The pair began chatting and FaceTiming twice before Gunnar surprised Danielle by driving to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA on one knee.
Gunnar said, “I didn’t tell her I was proposing until I was on my way.”
Danielle added, “When he said he was on his way, I thought, ‘This is really happening.’
“I was shopping with my friends and then all of a sudden I’m asked to marry you.”
Gunnar met Danielle’s family that night. They were skeptical about the marriage but now support the couple.
Danielle said, “My mom said, ‘What if he kidnaps you?'”
Two weeks after their first meeting, the strangers took a road trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, to get married on Valentine’s Day 2021.
Gunnar and Danielle admit that they planned to divorce a week later, but as they got to know each other, their relationship blossomed.
The happy couple have traveled all over America and their love has blossomed as their personalities “complement” each other and share the same core values
Gunnar and Danielle, who began touring America in a converted ambulance in March 2021, say their families are supportive of their relationship
In March 2021, they started traveling across America in a converted ambulance and have now settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, where they plan to buy a home together.
Danielle said, “I always had this idea in my head that either way I got married, it would be something silly, like Vegas.
“So when I saw Gunnar’s video, I thought, ‘This is the crazy way.’ I had to take the opportunity.
“Our original plan was to get divorced a week after the wedding, but then we were chatting and thinking, let’s keep talking as friends and then it turned into something more.”
Danielle added, “Gunnar and I would never have gone up to each other in a bar. It opened our eyes to other people.’
Gunnar, a video maker, said, “Looking back, it seems like a story. It doesn’t feel real, but it sure happened.’
He continued, “It’s grown into a really healthy relationship now that we’ve gotten to know each other.
“There was no pressure to train.”
The pair dove in and spent the past two years traveling in a converted ambulance across 50 states of America.
Danielle said, “It was a small place. We didn’t know each other, it was a lot. We were forced to feel comfortable.’
Gunnar added, “There was nothing to do but talk.”
The happy couple says their personalities “complement each other” and while they are different, deep down they are the same and share the same core values.
Danielle says that while her family is now supportive of her, they were initially afraid that Gunnar would kidnap her
The couple is taking a break from traveling and moved into a house in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA in February 2023, but they both still love spontaneity.
Danielle said, “We can buy a house tomorrow. We could leave for Europe tomorrow.
“Both of our families have been very happy for us. They all get along and my friends can’t believe we are still together.
“It’s something I would recommend others do. It opened our eyes to other people. If you’re open-minded, it’s a very interesting concept.’