This is the story of a girl and boy who happened to walk out of holy hour at the same time. “I should not be awkward and talk to him,” she thought, “I should keep up this conversation and not be mean,” he thought. But from the moment she started speaking, something stirred in his heart, A feeling he hadn’t felt before. “Was there something there?” “nah, its probably just gas” he thought and dismissed the notion.

 2 months later He is halfway through his 8-day silent retreat. Feeling renewed in his sonship he takes the freedom to ask of his father of anything he desires when suddenly, again stirs a thought of her. A memory of her, uncovered in a dream. “Why has she returned to my heart” he pondered. “There IS something there,” he thought, surely not gas this time around. 2 weeks later, He sees her at a Zion conference Conviction and abdominal butterflies draws him to get to know her. In his time spent with her, she repeatedly leaves him in awe “How does she continue to check off unspoken desired traits?” “….Shall I ask her out?” he considers. He takes a preparatory shower and tries exfoliating for the first time. Alas the day crumbles in chaos and the chance seems lost. The boy returns home, saddened but hopeful.

 Not to worry, destiny prevails. He books a ticket back to Philly 2 weeks after and finds her at a retreat. An afternoon hike through the forest together allows him a chance to explain. Explain why he has been acting weird the last couple months. Explain why he has been responding to her texts a *little* too quickly He shares his admiration of her, her captivation of his heart. A few moments of thought and she reveals that has been equally open to this thought. In joy, he asks her to dinner the next day. The next day, they set out on their first date through a foreign city, With a blessing from our lady, they spend hours exploring, Ending the night in a cozy conversation over a bowl of shake shack loaded fries. He tells her that he feels so sure of this, though he can’t understand why. After some time in adoration that night, she reciprocates his commitment. And the two begin their adventure together. Long distance was difficult, but new love is sweet. Philadelphia and Houston separated by thousands of miles, but their conversations had no bounds. 
 Thank you Steve Jobs. They accompanied each other through many walks, cooking sessions, and countless failed movie night attempts. They grew through the ebbs and flows, the highs and lows the choices and sacrifices of true partnership. She gave him safety. He gave her freedom. Both pursuing the heart of God with, dare I say “youngest child” entitlement. In the fall of 2024, God called them out to move to the opposite sides of the continent Her from Philly to California, and him from Texas to Ontario.
 They had yet again become “longer” distance...but not for much longer. After 2.5 years of waiting for the distance to close, he decided it was truly time to break the question After flying with his family to her home, and a weekend of bonding and conversation with both families, He brought her to the Griffith observatory where she could see the whole city, And on one knee, he told her that she was his whole world. With a ring, flowers, her overjoyed family, and her friends waiting to ambush her at home, She realized that her life had changed forever. On September 20th of this year, Dann and Angel have decided to begin their life of love and holiness together officially. And they are overjoyed that you are a part of their story. See you there.

Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our family. Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love that you found in your own family in the little town of Nazareth. Mary, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, nourish our family with your faith and your love. Keep us close to your Son, Jesus, in all our sorrows and joys. Joseph, Foster-father to Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety. Holy Family of Nazareth, make our family one with you. Help us to be instruments of peace. Grant that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with you. Amen.