First Met | April 17, 2021

Our story started like many do, just two people in the right place at the right time. After the toll that the pandemic had on both of us, we both just happened to attend a retreat hosted by PAXCatholic, a young adult ministry for Catholics 18-35 in St. Mary's County, Maryland. Since it was held at my parish, I was heavily involved with actually hosting the event, so we didn't really cross paths until a casual dinner gathering following the retreat. That evening, we just happened to sit at the same table and though the conversation was very casual, a seed was planted.

Over the next few months, we would see each other off and on at different PAXCatholic functions. We would both come to appreciate the other's humor and charm with each interaction.

Will You? | April 29, 2022

Daniel popped the question in the kitchen of the home that he recently bought for us to start our lives together in. He bought me a beautiful floral arrangement (pictured) and included a rose from the flower bed out in front of the house.

As I gazed in awe of the sweet gesture of the flowers, Daniel commented on the rose that he added from the yard. Completely surprised that this beautiful rose came from outside and was not part of the original arrangement, I said, "I think this one is better than the ones from the store". Daniel replied, "I think so, too" and showed me the engagement ring attached to the stem of the rose. After that, he uttered the fours words that would change our lives forever.