What began as a simple conversation between my friend Arlinda and me became the start of a beautiful love story with Alex. Arlinda was determined to set me up with a guy she knew from her hometown. At first, I politely declined—she hadn’t even told me his name or shown me a picture. But when I heard his name, I immediately knew who he was. Alex had played soccer with my twin brother Victor, when we were kids. I still remember the day I pretended to wait on Victor after a soccer games but what I really wanted to do was say something to Alex. Nervously I waited, saw Alex, exchanged a quick greeting, and then life took us in different directions. We never saw each other again. Years later, in our early twenties, Arlinda brought us back together. What seemed like a simple introduction turned out to be God’s perfect timing, and the beginning of our journey together. It did not take long for me to realize that Alex was the man God had chosen for me. Over the years, our love has grown, but even more importantly, so has our faith. Through Alex’s leadership and our shared desire to follow Christ, we have come to understand that a strong marriage is built not only on love, but on God being at its center. We recognize that marriage is a sacred vocation that calls us to help one another grow in holiness and draw closer to Christ each day. We are grateful for God’s guidance and the many blessings He has poured into our relationship. As we prepare to enter the Sacrament of Marriage and begin this new chapter of our lives, we humbly ask for your prayers, that our marriage may always remain rooted in faith, hope, and love.

Lord, our God and Father, in the beginning you created man and woman to be united in the bond of marriage. Bless and strengthen our love that our life together may be an ever truer reflection of the union between Christ and his Church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.