Local Couples Spotlight: Dan Merino and Melissa Moorcroft

Dan Merino and Melissa Moorcroft are a couple of San Diego locals who caught the community’s eye this year.

It’s a story straight out of your standard RomCom, with an alternative North Park edge. Boy likes girl. Girl is with other boy who doesn’t treat her right. Boy saves girl and sweeps her off her feet. Together, boy and girl imitate ‘80s rock stars, share skinny jeans and live happily ever after.

These hipsters have been together for less than a year, but you’d never guess it. What is most unique about Dan and Melissa is their loud and unabashed love for one another.

From their passion of music to the interests and clothes they share, and the steamy night of champagne and romance that Melissa could only describe as pure ecstasy, get to know these local lovers in our San Diego Couples Spotlight.

DSD: How’d you guys meet?
Dan: The truth is I had her at “Hello”. She likes to make it a big story. She was dating my friend, but she deserved better so I stepped in and did the job. Past every other little detail I just knew that she was something special to hold onto and I wanted to take care of her.

I wasn’t even looking to fall in love, needless to say she swept me off my feet.



Melissa: We met in the summer of ‘09 through my boyfriend at the time, they were best friends. He was cheating on me and Dan thought I deserved to know and deserved better. He informed me although he knew that he would be risking ruining the relationship with his friend (which it did). I dumped the guy and Dan became my shoulder to cry on and my comfort. We became best friends and feelings quickly developed. We secretly spent every day together. We had to keep it undercover because of the sensitivity of the situation but eventually we let the cat outta the bag and now I have the most amazing boyfriend EVER!

DSD: What are your 3 favorite things about your partner?
Melissa: His bad jokes that only I laugh at, his perfect coif that requires absolutely no styling product whatsoever, and his wholehearted willingness to do absolutely anything for me. I have never felt so loved!

Dan: It’s so hard to narrow it down. I think that my absolute favorite thing would be the amount of honest and pure love that she projects to me in every little things she does. Another great admiration would be her gourmet cooking ability, she really made her way into my heart in this respect and we share so many of the same tastes. Lastly, I love her voice, yes the girl can sing, but beyond the superficial talent of singing I love hearing her just talk my ears off for hours…and hours.

DSD: What are your 3 biggest differences?
Dan: She hates Nick Cave and old Zombie movies. I think she’s having an affair…with her iPhone. Naw, I’m pretty positive she IS having an affair with that damn phone.

Melissa: We don’t really have any. We even both get PMS & share the same jeans! Oh actually he hates my cats but that’s about it.

DSD: In one sentence, explain why it works.
Dan: Because my motto is “Whatever Lola wants, Lola Gets”. Her being Lola of course.

Melissa: It works because we are both honest, respectful, madly in love and are truly 100% dedicated to each other.

DSD: What is the most romantic evening you’ve had together?
Melissa: I went away for 2 weeks to visit my dad and the night I returned he had champagne, candles and sexy lingerie waiting for me. After he took off the lingerie, he let me try it on for him and we drank champagne, and… well let’s just say we made up for lost time. You get the idea. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. That night was amazing, pure ecstasy!

Dan: This evening has actually been so romantic for us. Just sitting here answering these questions, reminiscing about our favorite fond moments and shining hours to the ambience of the storm outside is enough to rekindle the first feeling of falling in love. The night she mentioned was also pretty amazing!

DSD: What are your favorite things to do together?
Melissa: Compare ourselves to Dennis & Dee Reynolds, get inspired by ‘80s Pop music, dress in corresponding outfits, and go out with our friends. And here’s one he may disagree with… I LOVE grocery shopping together and running other miscellaneous errands.

Dan: Being musicians, I think that the fact we can play music together is the most cherished blessing of all. When we aren’t listening, performing or writing we like to hit up our favorite thrift stores, hotel pools, and watering holes. We both cherish our one-on-one time as well.

DSD: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
Dan: 5 years more solid and still as in love as we are right now.

Melissa: Married, living in a cute lil craftsman house filled with vintage furniture. Us sharing a bottle of wine on the patio while the kids play in the yard. We will still be madly in love and remain completely honest and respectful of each other. And we will still be cracking each other up!

View more photos of Dan & Melissa.

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Photos by: Bradley Schweit and Devin White