We’re getting married!

Andrés decided to take me on a day of adventures for my birthday, all of which he wanted to keep a surprise so I had no idea what was in store for the day. He took me up to Niagara Falls on the Canadian side, arranged for the day to start with us going to confession and Mass at the beautiful Mount Carmel Monastery. We got to meet Father Chris Kulig, who we went to confession with, and then celebrated mass in the beautiful monastery chapel. After mass we finished the last day of our novena prayer to St. Joseph (which we started the week before) in front of this beautiful statue of St. Joseph inside the chapel, after which Andrés got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. We were both in tears and hugging each other, the chapel choir was practicing Christmas songs in the background, and all of the sudden Andrés starts waving at someone behind me. I turned around and saw Father Chris up in the choir balcony waving back at us holding a video camera. He came down to us, told us he was able to get the whole thing on tape, and he then gave us a special engagement blessing, blessed my ring and also gave a us an incredibly generous gift. He told us it was the first time he was ever a part of an engagement and he felt very blessed to be a part of ours. The monastery was attached to a winery and Father Chris invited us to go wine tasting with him, which of course we said yes, and got to spend the next hour drinking wine and getting to know him better. We hope he will be able to come to our wedding! The rest of the day was filled with more surprises, lots of phone calls and lots of love. We can't wait to celebrate our wedding with all of you!