They met because of the beautiful young adult catholic community in Indianapolis! The St. Catherine of Alexandria Women's Formation House (aka St. Cat's) started by Katie back in 2010, was having a party celebrating multiple January birthdays including Katie's. Sean came by invitation of our mutual friend and he remembers Katie wearing a pretty blue dress. Unfortunately, Katie's memory is not so good. Fast forward through the years of seeing each other once in awhile at friends' gatherings, Adoration, Theology on Tap, and even playing on the same intramural volleyball team. Over a year went by without seeing one another until the 2018 Christkindl Village at St. John's where Sean and his daughter, Addison, visited Kate's art booth. It was then that they looked at one another in a new light. One month later at the Vigil for Life, Sean finally asked Katie for her number. This began the first of many long phone conversations and they went on their first date February 6, 2019. Life hasn't been the same since. Almost immediately they felt they had finally found home in each other's presence. Katie began to enter Addison's life a few months later, having a blast going to St. Susanna's Parish festival, an Indians game, painting at the studio, birthday parties and the Sahm Family 4th of July celebration.

It felt like forever, but in reality it was only 6 months when Sean popped the question. Katie's dear friends Maggie, Maria and Brie Anne helped make it a surprise! It took place at Fatima Retreat House Chapel, here in Indy, where one of Katie's paintings "Our Lady of Fatima" resides. This is one of Sean's favorites. He lined the aisle with candles, lighting the way to the painting and the tabernacle, and began to wait. To get Katie there, the girls had invited her to pray a rosary and hike in the woods. However, Katie being Katie, texted the girls saying, "Go on without me. I'm exhausted, but please pray for me" since she had been moving, sweating, and working hard all day. Poor Sean was made to wait even longer and had to start replacing candles as they were burning out. He was getting increasingly nervous that Katie wouldn't show (and would run out of candles). To calm himself, he began praying the rosary in front of Katie's painting. The girls finally convinced Katie to come. She showed up disheveled, still in her sweaty moving clothes. As she went into the chapel, Katie was shocked at what she saw and began crying immediately. Sean resized a ring Katie received from her parents for her 1st Communion. She had always wanted this ring to also be her engagement ring, which was first given to symbolize her union with our Lord in the Eucharist and will now symbolize the spousal union of the sacrament of Marriage as well. It has also been blessed by the relics of St. Padre Pio, reminding them both to "Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry" during this time of marriage preparation.