Our first meeting was on a Halloween; spent tailoring each others costumes and prank trick or treating Zach's college Newman center. After tons of fun and the first few exchanges of conversation, the evening was ended at the Boulder Amphitheater overlooking a moon lit Boulder and Denver full of city lights. In this romantic setting, our first real conversation took place- naturally it was about whether or not aliens existed. From then on a friendship was sparked. By the virtue of hanging out at church A LOT and running in the same social circles, Maddy got to know Zach and feel for his kind and gentle temperament (and also for his killer dance moves). Over the next four months our feelings grew. Maddy's fell first, and shortly after Zach told her his feelings for her. They persevered for two and half years of mostly long distance and grew even more in friendship and deepened their love.

During our last weekend in Boulder before moving, Zach recreated the first date we'd ever been on. We had a lovely Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas in Boulder and then a great breakfast at our favorite brunch place. Of course we journeyed to the bookstore for good measure. The entire time Maddy was gas-lighting herself into thinking "today isn't the day..." But it was. After many months of prayer and planning, Zach brought them to the Boulder Amphitheater where they had their first conversation and got down on one knee... Maddy emphatically said yes to Zach's most knowingly and lovingly phrased question, and they can't wait to commit themselves in marriage to the pursuit of each other, God, and sanctity.