and the two shall become one.

Ariel & Brandon met during the first week of their freshman year at Ave Maria University. They shared a Literary Traditions class, one that Ariel loved and Brandon was bored with - quote: "yeah, I only liked that class to see you!" Brandon & Ariel both pursued a degree from Ave Maria, primarily, to grow in their faith. As the pair were getting to know one another, they realized that they had both signed the same "Blessed are the Pure of Heart" card before having met each other. Although they parted ways during their freshman year, this stuck with Ariel in a special way.

During their time apart, Ariel became aware of the fact that Brandon only ever had good things to say about her. This opened the door to a holy friendship, and two of their friends were also dating, which made another channel for friendship (Thanks, Paulina & Ambrose). Brandon asked Ariel to go on a (second) first date halfway through their junior year. Ariel was so busy that week, she didn't even realize that the date was on her little brother in Heaven's birthday. With time, Ariel became more impressed with Brandon's class and honesty, and Brandon adored Ariel from the start. A year later, he asked her to marry him in the same place where he asked her to be his girlfriend. She joyfully said yes!

Brandon is entering his first year of Law School, and Ariel has started to work at a nonprofit in fundraising. They look forward to continuing to live in Southwest Florida for the first years of their marriage, and are so grateful to Christ for calling them to this beautiful Sacrament.