______________________________________________________________________________ Although Chandler and Madeline went to high school together, they barely knew each other. By coincidence (or maybe the hand of God), they met again in line for a book signing at a Catholic Conference in Phoenix, Arizona in December of 2019. They decided to meet up again after the conference to stay friends (we really hit it off well). The COVID lockdown ruined their plans to get coffee, so it wasn't until a year later that they were able to see one another again. They went to Indie Coffee Roasters in Carmel, and it was lovely to reconnect with a friend. About six months after getting coffee at Indie Coffee Roasters, Madeline received a text from one of her best friends (Sarah Barry) that this guy named Chandler Duell who had gone to Guerin Catholic was at a summer program with her. While talking to Sarah on the phone one day, Chandler walked past, and Madeline suggested they reconnect over coffee again. A few days after Chandler returned home from the program, he and Madeline met at Java House in Carmel. They got coffee, went for a walk, and then stopped by a nearby church for Adoration. About a week later, Chandler texted Sarah and shared that he wished to ask Madeline on a date. Sarah is truly a real one and kept this from Madeline while encouraging Chandler to call and ask. Of course, Madeline accepted Chandler's offer. Her roommates drove Madeline to visit Chandler in Cincinnati where he was in school for their first date. Chandler prepared a lovely picnic with all of her favorite foods and drove them to a park that looked out over the city. They ended their first date with Mass to remind themselves that their relationship should be centered on Christ. Long distance was difficult that year with Chandler in school in Cincinnati and Madeline in school in Louisville, but they made it work. Chandler would drive to Louisville, or Madeline would drive to visit Cincinnati on weekends to visit one another. When summer came, Chandler and Madeline were overjoyed to finally be able to spend longer amounts of time together. They were able to grow in their knowledge of each other and get to know each other's families. Halfway through the summer, Chandler was getting ready to move to Crawfordsville to begin a new job. He had planned to spend the entire day with Madeline before he left. Chandler picked her up in the morning and took her to Mcdonald's for McGriddles (one of their favorites). They drove down to the art museum to visit one of their favorite exhibits. (At this point, Madeline had an inkling it was going to be a special day). Then he took her to a flower farm to pick a huge bouquet of flowers. While they were picking flowers, Chandler got down on one knee and asked Madeline to be his wife. He packed a picnic that replicated their first date and then drove to Adoration to give thanks for such a wonderful day. ______________________________________________________________________________