April 16, 2023 was a cool, rainy day that began with a prayer. I remember leaving Sunday morning mass and driving through the mist not really sure what I was driving to but knowing there was someone I wanted to meet. I was early. I stood in the coffee shop and nervously glanced around at the host of patrons scattered around the neatly decorated room. Everyone was engaged in a quiet buzz of polite conversation against the cadance of a soft guitar. Still early, I began to pace the foyer by the door before stopping to examine a wall of photos, presumably the business owners. These were snapshots of moments decades ago, a crew sitting in a convertible waving as it veered off down a dirt road, an elderly couple staring with a bizarre mix of stoicism and warmth that I could not help but find curious, and a family gathered around a Christmas tree. The hair of the individuals in the last photo suggested it dated back to the 1980s. I studied the photos trying to decipher the personalities they contained, sinking deeper and deeper into a series of thoughts when I heard her voice for the first time. I turned around and saw at once a radiant smile. Betsy stood at the door wearing a spotted white top. She offered a kind hello, and I froze in stupefied disbelief. A flurry of thoughts raced around in my head, “How could a girl so beautiful be on a date with me?” I awkwardly led us to the counter, and haphazardly ordered our drinks. Unsure of where to sit, it was Betsy that motioned for us to sit in the overflow room adjacent to the main dining area. Conversation began with family; Betsy was on her way to celebrate her nephew Jack’s first communion. We broke the ice by exchanging stories of people who were meaningful to us. I cannot remember the substance of what we discussed in the hours we sat together, I only recall a warmth in my chest and sore cheeks from smiling without ceasing. Driving home, I called my brother Sam to tell him that this was easily the best date I had been on in a long time.

Brandon proposed at the end of a very "us" weekend. It was a weekend filled with many things we had done together before. Brandon came to support me at the closing ceremony of a senior retreat I had directed; we ran six miles together; we did hours of yard work together at my house; we went to two family dinners -- one pizza night at my parents' place and one benefit dinner for my niece's and nephews' school; then we celebrated 11 months since our first date. All these things we had done together before and were emblematic of the life we have been building together. But the big day, the day when the big question was asked, was so special, and a microcosm of all the things we hold dear. On Sunday, March 17th, St. Patrick's Day, Brandon picked me up to go to Mass at St. Louis Bertrand, where we go frequently. Then we went to the coffee shop where we had our first date and enjoyed coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Then we went down the street to our favorite park, Cherokee, and walked the 2.5 mile Scenic Loop. (Funny story: as we were walking, we were holding hands, talking and giggling, then a big pick-up truck passed us. There were a few young girls having a good time in the truck -- leaning out the windows and blasting the music. As they passed us, one of them pointed at us and said "you guys are so cute!" I think they were really onto something!) After the park, Brandon suggested that we go over to St. Martin's, my home parish, and do a holy (half) hour before he hit the road back to Bloomington for the week. When we arrived, Brandon recommended that we do a little tour of the church, like the one I had given him the first time we came to that church together. It was then that I knew for sure that something was up! We walked down to the front of the church and Brandon stopped me in front of a stained glass window featuring the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Then he said, "I want us to stand right here because you love the Sacred Heart of Jesus, you work at Sacred Heart, and because I fell in love with your heart." He pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and read me a note in the beautiful style he always writes. When he was finished, he carefully put the paper away, pulled out a box, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! And I said yes! But that's not it! He had arranged for my sister Helen to be in hiding and taking pictures. The click of the camera shutter as soon as he was down on his knee gave away her presence, but she captured the special moment beautifully! Brandon had also arranged for a party at my parents' house. Several of our siblings, many of my nieces and nephews and all of my roommates were waiting there ready to celebrate with us! It was such a special day and the luckiest St. Patrick's Day for both of us!