It All Began in the Azores
Dan and I met in 2014 on a boat in Pico Island, Azores, just before a dive with blue sharks. From the very beginning, I found him not only attractive but also fun, intriguing, and effortlessly cool. I wanted to know more. A few days later, we spent hours talking on another boat headed to Princess Alice to see mobulas. By the end of that week, I already knew there was something truly special about him.
Dan is one of those rare people who’s always joking, yet carries a quiet calm. On the surface, he seems laid-back, but underneath, he’s incredibly organized and thoughtful. I was immediately drawn to his dry, witty British sense of humor, which, to my surprise, felt a lot like Venezuelan humor. We just clicked.
At the time, I considered myself an underwater photographer… until I saw Dan’s work. His photos were on another level. He has a deep understanding of cameras, light, and composition, but what really stood out was the way he approaches animals. He never disturbs them. Before meeting him, I had been around many professional photographers who frustrated me by chasing or stressing animals just to get a shot, often scaring them away. I hated that. Dan was the complete opposite.
He’s careful and respectful, always taking the time to observe first and ensure the animal feels comfortable. Because of that, he’s able to get close without creating fear or tension, and his images are stunning. Watching him with sharks, turtles, octopuses, and whales is mesmerizing. He reads their behavior so well, and his calm, respectful presence puts them at ease. I often just sit back and watch in awe.
After leaving the Azores, I knew I wanted to see him again, and luckily, he felt the same. I had to continue my Rolex Scholarship travels, but Dan made it happen, visiting me in several countries along the way. We connected effortlessly and fell in love quickly. One evening over dinner in the Bahamas, I shared my dream with him: to open a dive shop focused on shark diving that could support scientific research and other conservation initiatives. He understood right away. That night, we sketched out our vision of the perfect dive shop. From that moment on, he was all in: helping me plan, offering thoughtful advice, and supporting me every step of the way. When I asked if he wanted to build it with me, he said yes. We weren’t just in love. He also had the ideal background to be my partner in every sense. With his experience in construction, finance, and business, he was the perfect person to build this dream with. It still blows my mind that the person I fell in love with also wanted the same dream and was ready to build it by my side. I honestly don’t know how I got this lucky. Thank you, God.
After I finished the scholarship, we kept traveling, searching for the right place to bring our dream to life. In early 2018, we moved to Sint Maarten. By September 2020, we officially opened SXM Divers. We got engaged and married, and after focusing on the business for a few years, we decided to start a family. In June 2023, we welcomed our daughter through a beautiful homebirth.
I’m still completely in love with Dan. He’s the most incredible person I know. What makes him even more special is the way he supports my dreams, no matter how ambitious they may seem. Whether it was creating our business, building a life in the Caribbean, or bringing our daughter into the world at home with just a midwife and our dog, he makes it all possible. He’s unbelievably hardworking, and it melts my heart to see him with our daughter. I’m endlessly grateful that our paths crossed that day in the Azores. He is, without a doubt, the one for me.
