Matthew and I met 40 miles into a 60 mile Polish walking pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. During the pilgrimage, my family approached Matthew and his brother Mikey to try to set up our friend with Mikey. After an unsuccessful setup, conversation sparked between Matthew and I. Our conversation continued and deepened over the remainder of the 60 mile pilgrimage. We were falling in love in our sweaty delirium as we trekked to Our Lady and Our Lord amidst thousands of other pilgrims. As we ascended our final trek to the shrine, Matthew asked for my number and took it down on a napkin he had in his pocket in his typical simple style (which I LOVE!). This was the start of our daily multiple-hour phone conversations which were the foundation of our love. About a month after we met Matthew left to study abroad in Ireland, and about one week after he left, we decided to date. We dated through a year of long distance difficulties (after Matthew came back from Ireland I left for Africa) and, though we didn’t realize it in the moment, this time apart only strengthened our bond. 11 months later, through prayer, and obvious signaling from Our Lord, Matthew came to the realization that we were called to take the step toward marriage. So, on a 7 hour drive to Vermont, Matthew asked me if I would marry him if he were to ask, and, with many tears of joy, I said yes! 4 months later, after more prayer, discernment, and preparation, Matthew drove me back to the shrine where we met. After unplanned entertainment from a man playing the Irish tin whistle, a Biblical storyteller, a poet, and Matthew’s serenades, Matthew took me in front of Our Lord and asked me if I would be fools on the road to heaven with him (aka marry him) and OF COURSE I said YES!!! We are SO overwhelmed with joy and love and we are beyond excited to continue our pilgrimage to Our Lord throughout our lives as we unite ourselves together under the sacrament of marriage on 12-28-2019!