We met in 6th grade, but never really talked to each other. Fast forward to five-six years later, our friend groups started to merge and we started to hang out more and more. Going out with friends became going out one on one. Our most frequented spot was Vito's Espresso! Then, during Jake's birthday party senior year of high school, he asked me out to prom! Well, the rest is history. Today, we are two very blessed people ready to begin our vocation in the Sacrament of Marriage! Please pray for us as we begin this journey.

This story begins the day before our engagement. Knowing that Jake was most likely going to propose during the summer (although, I wasn't completely sure), I was on my guard for every opportunity that was given to Jake to propose. So, the night before we were engaged, Jake asked if we could go on campus for a walk, just the two of us. Walks are our favorite pastime activity, but it is always in connection with something, and spontaneous: "let's go for a walk after dinner", or "do you want to go for a walk after you're done studying?" But this, THIS was a walk that was planned a day ahead, a walk that had no connections. That must mean, Jake will propose! I took a shower, got all dressed up, and did my nails, but when it was time for our date, I had a really great time, and it was super romantic, but a small part of me was disappointed that Jake didn't propose. Once I got home that night, I told myself to completely forget that Jake will propose at one point, because A) I won't be surprised, and B) I don't want to ruin every interaction we have with each other up until we're engaged! The next day was Sunday, the Feast of the Ascension, and we went to Mass at Christendom. It was a pretty normal day, and Jake asked if we could go for a walk after Mass. I thought nothing about Jake proposing to me, and we were just enjoying a romantic walk on our normal route through campus. It was such a beautiful day, so when Jake asked if I wanted to stop by the library overlook I didn't think twice about it. We were talking and then stopped to enjoy the view of the Shenandoah River together. Then, Jake said: "While we're here, I wanted to ask you something..." I next saw Jake getting down on one knee! I was absolutely shocked! "Madigan Elizabeth Gannon, will you marry me?" The moment couldn't even process in my head, I was in complete shock, and he took me completely off guard! Once I realized that it was happening, I smiled and said yes! The second he put the ring on my finger I started crying the happiest tears of my life. Then, Jake explained the story of the ring. Jake, who worked graduation for the seniors, received an email from Tom Heim asking him if he could drive the commencement speaker to Baltimore, where he was needed next. The commencement speaker was Cardinal Sarah, so it was a high honor to Jake that he was asked to drive the Cardinal to his next location. Jake told me about it, but he also told Dr. Brutto about it at the political science thesis defenses. Dr. Brutto knows Jake well, so he asked Jake if he has a ring for when he will pop the question. Jake replied that he does, to which Dr. Brutto told him to get the ring blessed by Cardinal Sarah. To that, Jake fist-bumped Dr. Brutto and did just that. When dropping off the Cardinal in Baltimore, Jake whipped the engagement ring out of his pocket and asked "Your Eminence, could you bless this ring?" to which Michelle Kelly did a small gasp, and the British priest that was with them asked, "is that an engagement ring?" That is the story of how Jake proposed and got the ring blessed by Cardinal Sarah!