Fifteen years ago, Alyssa and Donovan walked the same school halls, went to the same after-school care, went to the same parish, and maybe even sang in the same choir! However, due to their age difference, they never really interacted. From Alyssa's perspective, Donovan was a big, scary, middle schooler! From Donovan's perspective, Alyssa was a random silly elementary schooler! Despite this, Donovan's dad and Alyssa's mom worked together at the school. Alyssa's mom, a substitute teacher, would ask Donovan's dad, the janitor, for assistance cleaning up after some rambunctious kids and finding various supplies in the building. Throughout the years, going to the same parish meant that there were many common friends and families that connected Donovan and Alyssa together indirectly.

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Oh, you wanted to know more? Sorry about that! Leading up to Easter and during the lenten season, Donovan had been praying the rosary nightly, frequently asking to meet his future wife sometime soon. At the same time, Alyssa had been praying the rosary novena asking to meet her future husband sometime soon too. On Easter day, Alyssa and Donovan matched on Hinge. Donovan went straight for the serious topic, asking what Alyssa's deal breakers were to ensure that they were on the same page. As they got to talking, Alyssa liked how thoughtful, empathetic, and thorough Donovan's answers were. Donovan was just glad that someone could keep up with his long-rambling messages! Only 4 days into matching on Hinge, Donovan knew it was clear, he wanted to go on a date with this lovely young lady. He asked her out on a date for some coffee! A week later, Donovan and Alyssa went to Starbucks for coffee, where they learned that they both went to the same elementary school! Donovan was lost in Alyssa's eyes, while Alyssa thought Donovan was really funny. Time flew by, and they were both feeling the connection with each other... Donovan asked for a second date after about an hour! They continued to sit and enjoy themselves, only stopping their conversation to go to the next door Culver's for lunch. Even though Alyssa was busy, she decided to clear her next weekend to spend more time with Donovan! The next few months would pass by in a jiffy, with lots of fun activities, travel with each other's families, and of course, ice cream. They also supported each other through career changes and familial loss, staying by each other's side through every event they took on. No matter what, they would be able to get through it together. On November 30th, Donovan had the ring, had planned the why, the who, the how, and the where... but not the *when*! When plans were made to help Alyssa bring her pet cat, Maisy, from Littleton to Boulder the next day, it all clicked into place. Early in the morning, Donovan helped bring Maisy back to Boulder before heading to Donovan's nephew's baptism. After a beautiful baptism and reception, they left to go back to Boulder. Unfortunately, Donovan had "forgotten" his backpack at Alyssa's residence, so they needed to go pick it up before heading back to Littleton. Just north of the Flatirons Vista Trailhead, Donovan pulled over to check the car's tires at a lookout that they had driven past many times. Alyssa, motioned by Donovan to step out of the car to help, graciously held the tire valve caps. On one knee, Donovan asked for the tire valve caps back, put them in his pocket, and pulled out a ring. She said yes!!! They excitedly took some pictures to save the moment and drove down the canyon back to Littleton. That day, they went to the same Culver's they went to on their first date for an ice cream celebration! If you got this far, send us an email and Donovan will give you a goose on the wedding day (if you want one).