Matt 19:5-6

The first time Odie and Marie saw each other was at the 2023 Thanksgiving Dance hosted at their Traditional Latin Mass Parish by the Young Adult Group. Odie was new to the parish and Marie, who had just moved away for college in Steubenville, OH, had come home for the holiday and to lead the dancing. Her first impression of Odie was something along the lines of: "WOW, he's a cutie! Way out of my league." Odie, meanwhile, believed her to be an infrequent attendee/visitor of the parish given that he had not seen her before (and did not see again afterwards until Christmas). They were never formally introduced and the most interactions they had with each other that night was passing each other on the dance floor. Suffice to say that neither one gave the other much thought afterwards; Odie because he rarely saw Marie and Marie because she was sure that he would be snatched up by another, "prettier" girl in no time.

About a year after the Thanksgiving Dance, Marie (who was doing her final semester of college abroad) reported to a mutual friend and fellow parishioner of her and Odie, Jeremy, that she had just been friendzoned . . . again. Jeremy then took it upon himself to arrange a formal introduction, after gauging the interest level of both parties. Odie was open to meeting this "mystery woman from abroad" and Marie thought "he is super cute but does not seem interested" in her given he never tried to talk to her. So Jeremy the matchmaker, losing no time at all, approached Marie, with Odie in tow, the very first Sunday that she was back in the states and formally introduced them to each other. Shortly after this introduction, Odie very timidly and with an adorable awkwardness asked Marie to be his date at the annual Epiphany Ball. Marie agreed, telling herself that "he's probably only asking to test the waters, so don't get your hopes up." Suffice to say Marie was pretty sure she didn't stand a chance, but it was poor Odie who didn't stand a chance as Marie was already leaving a lasting impression.

Although they had a few interactions with each other between when Odie asked Marie to the Epiphany Ball and when they actually attended the ball, both would consider this, their first proper date. Marie spent the entire evening convinced that it would be another "one and done" situation, where the guy goes on one date and decides to "just stay friends," while Odie on the other hand was utterly enamored. After a lovely meal and several dances, the evening was closing out with a waltz being one of the last two dances. Odie had never waltzed before, so Marie (a somewhat seasoned dancer) proceeded to instruct him. She fully expected him to be watching his feet as most newbies do, but his eyes were fixed on Marie's face, to the point that Marie really didn't know what to think. For Odie, the choice was clear . . . Marie was absolutely gorgeous, and he wanted to pursue her! For Marie, although honoured by the thought of "the handsome guy" being smitten with with her, she still thought of Odie as out of her "league" and felt certain it would wear off since she was to leave for Ohio again to await her graduation in May and close out her affairs there.

Well Marie quite underestimated the affect she had had on Odie at the ball and during the few weeks she was home for Christmas, and so he continued to pursue her even after she had returned to Steubenville. Everything from calling on the phone, to video calling and doing virtual dates, to sending her flowers and buying her delivery. As a result, the ever hopeful and positive Marie quickly let her guard drop and decided to pay Odie a surprise visit in March. Marie is still shocked that she managed to pull off the surprise without Odie finding out, but it was all worth it, seeing the look of surprise and pleasure on his face when he saw her standing in the parish hall. Marie had a big grin on her face as he walked up to embrace her, and when he did so, Marie whispered in his ear, "I love you." Odie playfully protested about being caught off guard and thereby being unable to say it first, but Marie noted that he did not say it back. As the day progressed through Holy Mass and a potluck afterwards, Marie started to wonder if she had been wrong about Odie as he gradually began to act somewhat reserved. Truth is that Odie was frantically trying to figure out the right words to ask her to enter official courtship with him. While he may not have done it quite as gracefully as he wanted, Odie did summon the courage to ask over ice cream at the local Freddie's. When the very happy and relieved Marie agreed to enter this new stage, Odie closed with: "Good, because I love you too."

As spring became summer and summer changed to fall, several smaller events occurred that Marie and Odie shared together that fostered their relationship. Easter 2025 - Marie, of course, came home again for the Triduum/Easter weekend, which Odie likewise spent with Marie and her family, staying in the guest room upstairs. The weekend was filled with daily Mass and many memories, which include a picnic on Easter Sunday afternoon. This would be the first of many picnics Odie and Marie would share (and hope to continue sharing together). Marie and Odie ended up matching outfits on Holy Thursday (see the photo gallery), and on Easter Sunday, Marie wore her traditional Polish Highland outfit that she got in Krakow; though, Marie would have to wait until October to see Odie in his traditional attire . . . i.e. his Scottish kilt. Marie's Graduation - Marie had dreamt for some time that her (future) husband might be present at her college graduation, and it just so happened that Odie was able to travel to Steubenville for this occasion. It was his first time flying, and although he found airports to be as unpleasant as Marie described, he admitted to enjoying the flights themselves. (Though, according to the video Marie's father took, Odie was a bit nervous during the first one.) During this weekend, Marie was excited to be able to introduce Odie to many of her college friends, as well as her brother, William, who also flew himself in (literally) for the event. Moving back to Arkansas - Over the summer, Marie secured a teaching position at a Catholic school in Little Rock and began preparing to move home. During this time, she had to make a couple of trips back to AR from Ohio, during which she always stopped in to see Odie, going on hikes and other excursions where they could fit them in. Once she was back, Odie helped Marie move into a place just down the road from him, where she is now renting with three roommates. Since starting her job, Marie and Odie now frequently drive in to work together, since they also happen to work near each other, and see each other almost every day. Having started out long-distance, Marie and Odie are both happy to be closer and commiserate with their friends who are still struggling with the trials of long-distance relationships.

When October rolled around, Marie began to suspect that a proposal might be on the wind as there were several weekends when she and Odie had plans together. Each one was immensely enjoyable in their own way, from a trip to 6 Flags, St. Louis where they stayed with Marie's brother and sister-in-law, to a visit to Odie's college for Scottish Fest where Marie got to see Odie in his kilt for the first time! On the way back from the former, Marie encouraged Odie to stop off at the National Shrine of the Miraculous Medal in Perryville, MO. She had been there before and found the church and grounds to be absolutely beautiful, which Odie agreed with upon seeing them. This gave Odie the idea to propose here when they returned to St. Louis on the last weekend for the Centennial Celebration of Christ the King at St. Francis de Sales Oratory. Coordinating with Marie's friend and future maid-of-honour, Kimberly, Odie schemed the perfect proposal and, thanks to Divine Providence, everything lined up perfectly. Marie was able to take a half day at work so that she and Odie could set out to St. Louis early on October 24, the day before the centennial Christ the King ball. She wasn't sure, but something was telling her that Odie might pop the question this weekend, so she made sure to wear the blue dress that Odie liked to work that day so she would be wearing it when they arrived at the shrine. The drive took 4 hours and by the time they arrived, it was dusk. This meant that there were very few people around. (Side note: Kimberly had intended to drive down early and hide to record the proposal, but car troubles prevented her from getting there.) Odie and Marie then prayed a rosary as they walked along the rosary walk on the property, with a small snack in a picnic basket for afterwards. Marie began to suspect that Odie was nervous when he kept mixing up some of the prayers and mysteries, but he very cleverly covered it by saying that the long drive made him a bit foggy-minded. So Marie, who was also hungry and a bit groggy, accepted the answer as they finished their rosary at the grotto on the shrine grounds. Here, Odie and Marie lit candles for their intentions and said another few prayers before Marie began looking around for a picnic spot. Odie bade her to set the basket down before leading her into the middle of the grotto courtyard and there, under the watchful gaze of Mother Mary, knelt down and proposed. As before, he did not quite say what he had intended, but it was enough for Marie who blissfully agreed to be his wife! After hugging for a moment, the newly-engaged couple lit another candle for their engagement, and then had their picnic snack. After this, Marie went aside to pray for a moment while Odie returned the basket to the car, and then they both went into the church. Because the Shrine is a Jubilee Year site, Marie and Odie prayed to gain the plenery indulgence, the first of three they would end up procuring that weekend. Neither of them could imagine a more beautiful and holy way to start their engagement!

After dancing together as an engaged couple at the Christ the King ball the next day and attending the Centennial Feast Day Mass the day after that, Marie and Odie contacted their local church to begin Marriage Prep and schedule the Betrothal Rite. (For more information, see: https://www.latinmasswedding.com/rite-of-betrothal/ ) The blessing of their engagement, engagement ring, and exchange of promises to marry (aka. the betrothal rite) took place on November 9, and since then Marie and Odie have been working hard to continue growing in holiness and organize their nuptial celebration which will happen on April 18, 2026! Both are so happy you have taken the time to read their story, and they invite you now to browse their website, gallery and gift registry. May Our Lord and Lady bless, guide, and especially reward you for all the prayers and support you have given and will give to the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Cauthon!