wedding part 2

I think it’s so ironic that our relationship started with us trying not to fall in love with each other. As Maya stepped into her freshman year, she was still praying about a potential calling to religious consecrated life. Zachary had just put a hold on dating to focus on his own discernment of priestly and religious life as well. Early on, they planned on keeping their feelings under wraps. But God had other plans... Maya and Zachary first met at the Ohio Dominican chorus and were able to share their love for music together. During a short break in rehearsal, Maya asked another chorus member if they knew what time the university offers Mass on Sunday. Zachary, sitting nearby, overheard the question, interjecting, “It’s actually at noon, every day!!” While not the smoothest introduction, Zachary’s devoted love for the sacraments struck Maya, another love that they found in each other. Both Maya and Zachary individually were adamant about trying to stay friends and not letting their affections get out of hand. Although that season was difficult, it proved to be a blessing in the long run-because their friendship became grounded on real admiration and respect for one another. Finally, after knowing a religious vocation wasn’t for him, Zachary felt prompted to ask Maya out. While she was walking into Mass, he invited her out to coffee after…”j-just you and me?” She said yes but wondered what the heck that meant. An hour later, he expressed a desire to begin a serious relationship together, and she excitedly agreed. Through the trials and blessings the few years would bring, they discovered what a joy it was to support and love each other. On October 31, after a night of an enriching talk and intimate prayer with some of their closest friends involved in St Paul’s Outreach campus ministry, Zachary got down on one knee and asked if Maya would pursue holiness with him the rest of their lives. And there, among a supportive and faith-filled community, Maya said yes!