A Day to Remember

Spring of 2017 will always be remembered as the first time Mallely and Daniel met; the start of a long and beautiful relationship. They truly believe that everything leading to them meeting was meant to be. Both being invited to partake in helping the youth at a Catholic summer camp; both being chosen to lead small groups. As they prepared for this summer camp they spend a lot of time together and became friends. Daniel making Mallely laugh with his "jokes". Eventually leading to 24/7 text messages getting to know each other more and more and leading to silent crushes. With the help of Mallely's best friend, she motivated Daniel to tell Mallely how he truly felt. When it was clear that they both had the same feelings, they started going on dates and eventually Daniel asked Mallely out on July 21st 2017. Knowing that they where both in college; Daniel was moving out of state to attend Washington State, and Mallely was staying local they still decided to try long distance. Long distance was interesting and hard only getting to see each other during the school breaks. They got creative and had facetime movie nights. But when they did get to spend time together in person it made it even more special. Mallely would describe their love story as something out of a cheesy book. The way that Daniel loves with all his heart, the way that he makes her feel seen, heard and special. She loves the way that they can just spend hours laughing, but also that Daniel is her safe space, he not only can calm her down but drives to always bring her closer to God. She would say that these past 7 years have been full of love and growth and she can’t wait to see where life will take them once they are married. Daniel would describe their love story as the perfect answer to his prayers. He loves the fact that they can talk about anything for hours and hours like one of their first dates where they spend 3 hrs at a taqueria discussing everything about themselves. She brings the happiness, hope, love, and joy out of Daniel. While 7 years have been a “long” time, Daniel always knew she was the one meant for him and he only wants to start the family he has dreamt of!

It all began with a prayer…. Back to the spring of 2017 when Daniel first glanced at Mallely. Daniel said a little prayer that would make all the difference; he didn’t ask God “is she the one?” He asked God, “please Lord, make her the one!” Now the start of 2024 was very different than the last 7 years of this beautiful relationship, they were no longer long distance since Daniel finally graduated and was back home in California. Mallely being an amazing preschool director while Daniel was working part time and applying for jobs in his field of study. With the season of Lent beginning it all went back to the original foundation; prayer. Daniel and Mallely each shared in their Lenten fasting for Daniel to find a job. During this time Daniel would spend every Friday morning at Madonna Del Sasso praying before the monstrance in Eucharistic adoration. It was during these moments of meditation and prayer that Daniel would begin to ask himself the big questions. If this was your last day on earth, what would you do? He answered in silence, “I would be exactly where I am, in Eucharistic adoration thanking the Lord for everything. I would spend time with all my loved ones, and I would marry Mallely!” Daniel always knew in his heart that he would marry Mallely but it was never as simple until the question came. What would you do if this was your last day on earth? So Daniel went online to design the engagement ring and find the perfect day to propose to Mallely. With the guidance from his friends and Mallely’s sisters, Daniel created the perfect plan to surprise Mallely. From the beginning of Lent Mallely and Daniel stayed together in their prayers and through the intercession of St. Joseph everything was beginning to fall into place. Daniel had selected the official date of the proposal and purchased the engagement ring. Around this time Daniel had heard from a company in Texas offering an interview for a position. This would eventually lead to him receiving an official job offer on Holy Thursday. So Easter came; resulting in Mallely and Daniel’s prayer being answered of a job for Daniel. What Mallely wasn’t aware of was that April 8th, the Feast of the Annunciation, was going to be a special day for the rest of their lives. One evening while Mallely was enjoying a little nap, Daniel saw his opportunity to ask Mallely’s parents for their blessing to marry their daughter. As they gave their approval, they admitted that they weren’t surprised and they only expected it after hearing the news that he had a new job. Daniel explained to them that that this was always the plan, but that everything is just perfectly falling into place. Fast forwarding to April 8th, Daniel asked Mallely if she could get ready for a special date he had prepared for her. He picked her up, playing “Can’t help falling in love” by Kina Grannis in his car and presented her with a beautiful bouquet of 50 red and white roses. She was showered with love, music, roses, and sweet words of all the last 7 years. Daniel let her know that he could only ask for her hand and marriage before the King of all Kings. So from the same Eucharistic adoration chapel at Madonna del Sasso, Daniel on one knee asked Mallely to marry him. She with tears of joy gladly said yes completing the first major chapter of this amazing story.