Every love story has that one thread that unites two people from different walks of life. For James and Isabel, that common ground is their Catholic faith and love for adventure. When James was a Sophomore and Junior in high school, his parents shipped him off to a small high-adventure Catholic summer camp in the mountains of Colorado, called Camp Wojtyla. What is a “Wojtyla”? Contrary to popular belief, it is not a synonym for a sock that goes around your big toe. Camp Wojtyla is named after Karol Wojtyla, better known as Pope John Paul II - a beautiful Saint who deeply loved creation, young people, and prayer. While it flew under the radar, Camp became a cornerstone of James’ formation and later on, a turning point in Isabel’s. Fast forward four years to March 2021. Before Isabel and James had ever met, Isabel accepted a position as a summer camp counselor at—of all places—Camp Wojtyla. Just three weeks later, in the back of the TCU Catholic Newman Center (which, curiously enough, looked more like a karate dojo), James and Isabel found themselves breathing the same air. Their mutual friend, Clare, who was also signed up to serve at Camp Wojtyla with Isa, quickly recognized the connection between them and made the introduction. This was the first of the many ways in which the Lord orchestrated their story. James and Isabel’s friendship, already having a unique foundation and shared experience that only few can relate to, grew significantly over the next couple years. There was no shortage of hidden strategy woven into their so-called ‘platonic’ interactions – Isabel would linger in a specific area of an academic building waiting for one of James’ classes to wrap up. James would scan all ends of the library in hopes of running into Isabel hard at work. Isabel would craft encouraging game-day texts to send to James during the fall. James would pop his head into the Newman Center eager for a chance to see Isabel …among many more mutually valiant attempts to see the other smile. In the Spring of 2023, James’ two brain cells finally connected and concluded there’s no one else on the planet like Isabel, and it was time to get the ball rolling. In the Octave of Easter 2023, James asked Isabel out on their first official date - a picnic at the Trinity River. Just two hours before it was time for James to pick Isa up, she split her chin open playing kickball with Fr. Brett. But there was no time for despair - with a quick pitstop to urgent care, some glue, and a band-aid, Isabel was ready for action! She might not have felt perfect that night, but to James, she was. Referring back to the Saint Irenaeus quote up above, the two have revealed God’s glory to each other by the joy they share “through Him, with Him, and in Him.” With Christ as the backbone in their relationship, everyday is life to the full. You can find them spending time in Eucharistic adoration together, playing soccer and pickleball, going on runs/walks, watching the Office, fawning over Snoopy, dominating at community game nights, and just being outright silly. After one year of long distance between Bowling Green, OH and Fort Worth, TX, they have recently reunited. Wahoo!! In July of 2025, the two ventured out to the Bay Area, CA to visit Isa's family. This presented the perfect opportunity for a proposal in a place where much of her childhood unfolded - somehow, Isa never saw it coming. Walking through a partially unconstructed San Mateo Central Park with the whole family, James spotted a quaint Japanese rose garden amidst the construction. Nervous and tripping over his own tongue, James knelt to one knee and the rest is history in the making! Isabel and James are beyond excited for the journey ahead and grateful for the way Jesus has brought them together. Almost exactly three years after their first date, they will be married in the Octave of Easter 2026! With full hearts, they can’t wait to begin this next chapter together as husband and wife.