Crossing paths multiple times during our freshman year at the University of Mary, Matthew and I did not become closer friends until Sophomore year. Upon Matthew’s return to campus after his fall semester in Rome, he asked me to get consistent lunches on Wednesdays. Calling these “platonic lunch dates” left me with no questions, but Matthew eventually grew to have other ideas. He finally asked me out on a date after a game of cribbage (in which I lost) on April 8th, and our first date was April 11th. Matthew had food poisoning... so the date was not very enjoyable. The second date went much better, and a few dates later, after a trip to get ice cream sandwiches, a walk around a furniture store, and watching a sunset, Matthew asked me to be his girlfriend. Two days later, we each moved home for the summer. I went to Rome for 5 weeks, and then Matthew left on mission to do Totus Tuus for 2 months. We met up during his week break in July, and a few times in August. Our summer of long distance ended as we were able to return back to school. We adjusted and learned to be students while dating, and had a really good school year. I fell head over heels in love with that man, and knew that he was the one for me. We spent so much time intentionally getting to know everything about each other. From late nights getting food to after mass conversations, we learned to love each other better. And then the school year ended. We were back home again for the summer. Matthew did missionary work, and I ran a summer math program for middle schoolers. We knew we were going to get married, it was just a matter of when. During his break for the 4th of July, we stopped at a ring store just to "look around,” since we had decided engagement wouldn’t be until the fall. At the end of August, we visited Fr. Brandon up in Virginia, MN. The following day we planned to go to Duluth, but Matthew had other plans. He planned a surprise proposal for me at Gooseberry Falls. Of course I said yes, and the rest was history. But for those of you who know me, I put in lots of hard work during the last two weeks of summer before we went back to school to plan as much of the details for our wedding as possible. It turned out to be an amazing decision, as Matthew and I were able to enjoy our semester, continuing to date each other, and eagerly awaiting our wedding. Many thanks to everyone who has supported us as a couple! I cannot wait to marry the man that God has placed in my life to be my companion, helper, and leader.

I don’t actually remember meeting Carrie during our first semester at UMary. We did at some point, likely through mutual friends at the Nest. During Lent that year, we had a couple of friend lunches that were completely platonic... I had a small crush on her, but nothing major to this point. I left in the fall of 2023 for Rome, and we didn’t talk too much while I was there. When I came back, I found myself without a lot of the friends I made freshman year. Life was busy for a lot of them, and we were all living in different spots across UMary as well, so it was understandable. It was Rome, however, that the Lord was using to prepare me to be her man. I reached out to Carrie, not because of old feelings, but because I simply needed a friend. She thankfully said yes to having more friend lunches, and they eventually became a weekly habit in February and March 2024. Before I even realized it, my feelings for her came back. There was a distinct moment when I decided to ask her out. I had been thinking about it for a couple days, and ultimately it was Ryan Johnson who told me I should go for it. It was late in the semester, and I was nervous, but I decided to chance it. After beating Carrie at a game of cribbage, I asked her out on a date, to which she said yes. On the day of our first date, I had eaten something bad in the Nest. I had food poisoning, and I didn’t know it at the time of the date. By the grace of God, I didn’t throw up on the date, but it was not an enjoyable time for either of us. I spent the rest of the night throwing up in my Riverview Hall sink. The following week when I was better, I asked her out spontaneously on a date to get Copper Dog waffles with me. And so we went, and that was a much better time for both of us. We had our third date shortly after, in the week of finals, and on that date we decided that we were official and that we were going to try it for the summer. The summer was daunting, she was gone in Rome for a month, and I left for Totus Tuus for 2 months. It was hard, but we learned a lot about each other and spent many nights talking on the phone. We reunited together with the fall semester at UMary, encountered a few bumps, but I was committed to bettering myself, staying with her, and working through what we needed to make it work. Those traits and our love would grow as together we became more steady, quiet, and calm. The holiday season and spring semester solidified my decision, and I knew she was the one. Through all the joys and difficulties, there was the silent but steady voice of the Holy Spirit, guiding me to stick with her and to keep going. We returned home after the spring semester of 2024, and were distance once again. After her Spain trip in early May, I departed again for Totus Tuus. Since February of 2024, we were really starting to discern marriage seriously. We kept it up over the summer, doing Bible in a Year, praying our 9-month novena, and reading 3 To Get Married by Fulton Sheen. These resources further confirmed my decision to marry her. I simply couldn’t propose soon enough. We had talked about engagement a fair bit, and we had agreed on likely September or October, but I couldn’t wait any longer, because I knew I wanted to marry this woman. So, in August, we planned a trip to tour the Catholic Middle School in Virginia, MN. While there, I wanted to make plans to go to Duluth. My extra secret plan, however, brought us to Gooseberry Falls, MN. I proposed on August 17th, 2025. She said, “of course I’ll marry you!”, and the rest went perfectly to plan. The Lord has led us through many different joys and trials, and through it all, I know that Carrie is my lifelong wife, partner, and best friend. I have been so incredibly blessed to have her in my life, and I look forward to the life and family we will create together and the adventures to come in the coming years.