From First Dates to Forever: DateListLou’s Amy and Aaron Say Yes

Proposal Photos: Emily Hernandez (@_wholeheartedphoto) 

Engagement Water Tower Photos: Gabriella Sutherland (@ gabriellasutherlandphotography) 

Amy Czerwonka and Aaron DuVall spend a lot of time trying new places around Louisville. What started as a shared love for checking out restaurants and bars quickly became DateListLou, a social media project that documents their adventures and now follows a new chapter worth celebrating. 

As the duo behind DateListLou, much of their story is shared publicly, but the relationship at its center remains all theirs. 

“I was born and raised in Louisville, and Aaron is originally from Elizabethtown, KY,” says Amy. Despite overlapping circles and degrees from the University of Louisville, their paths didn’t meaningfully cross until 2021. “We both graduated from the University of Louisville but didn’t meet until 2021 at a Young Professionals Association of Louisville (YPAL) event.” The first impression? Not exactly spark-worthy. “Our first interaction was brief, and Aaron said I was mean to him,” she laughed. 

It took time, and better timing, to get it right. “It wasn’t until another two years before we really connected and hit it off.” With some nudging from a mutual friend, the relationship took off. “We had only been dating for four months when we created the account, so it could have gone really bad.” Luckily, it didn’t. “It’s been awesome and brought us closer together!” 

Aaron’s proposal was as thoughtful and clever as you’d expect from the couple who regularly make dates an adventure. “I worked with the Brown Hotel to ‘invite’ us to a fake media event on their rooftop terrace,” he explains. From a scripted check-in to a fake event sign, the plan held, but only briefly. “Once we got outside, it was just us and a photographer, so Amy figured it out pretty quick.” Even the wind couldn’t ruin the moment. “It was such a windy day that we couldn’t have the champagne and props out as planned, but it made for some great photos with the Louisville skyline as the backdrop.” The night ended exactly as it should with a surprise party planned at Noble Funk with their friends and family. 

When it comes to forever, both know why it works. “He’s not ‘too cool’ for anything,” Amy says. “I didn’t realize you really could be best friends with your partner.” 

“Everything I do I want to do with her by my side,” Aaron adds. 

As for what’s next, they’re realistic about wedding planning. “One way or another, our plan is to be married by the end of 2026!” And at the center of it all, “We’re excited to officially commit to spending the rest of our lives with each other.”