Joe had been born and raised at St. Joe's church on the outskirts of Ypsilanti Township. He was baptized, confirmed, and spent his whole life within a 10 minute radius of the church. He considered priesthood, marriage, and monastic life, but nothing ever seemed to change or draw his attention. He continually pursued God's will for him in his semi-monastic life as a produce farmer, wondering what God had in store for him. Kelsey's life had been just about the opposite of Joe's. A convert to the faith in 2021, she'd lived in multiple cities, been apart of multiple ministries both full time and volunteer, pursued higher education, etc. In Spring of 2023, she found herself in a place where she needed some peace and quiet to seek God's heart in the midst of a difficult season. When Kelsey walked into St. Joe's for the first time on Pentecost Sunday 2023, neither her or Joe suspected at all what was to come. Joe and Kelsey were introduced a few weeks after by their beloved (and at times meddling) pastor, Fr. Pieter, after church. It didn't take long for Joe and Kelsey to both notice their mutual love for the Lord and connection in the faith. After Joe and Kelsey both just so happened to be at Eucharistic adoration on August 29th, 2023, and after Deacon Gary just so happened to share a prayer about pursuing God's will, Joe asked Kelsey on a date, to which (much to Joe's shock) she said yes. On September 2nd, 2023, Joe and Kelsey took a walk at North Bay Park, and spoke for four hours about prayer, the psalms, and the evangelical councils. Less than four weeks later, after several dates that were even longer (for better and for worse), Joe professed his love for Kelsey for the first time, and Kelsey shared the same affections. On November 23rd, 2024, at Hidden Lake Gardens, at about 4:20 pm, after Kelsey spent the whole day trying to shake the suspicion that Joe might propose, Joe got down on one knee and asked for Kelsey's hand in marriage. Kelsey joyously accepted and said "I KNEW IT," and is unsure to this day of which response came out of her mouth first. We want to thank you all for the love and support you have shown us as individuals, and as a couple. We graciously ask for your continued prayers and support as we prepare for our life and husband and wife. Love, Joe and Kelsey