Andrea and I are incredibly happy to have you join us in celebrating this sacrament in November. If you’re like me, when you go to weddings, chances are you only know one of the two parties. And that’s okay! You may find yourself wondering, “What’s their story?” Well, my friends, I would love to fill you in on how God’s divine plan has brought my bride to be and myself together! If you know us well already, keep reading because there may be something you did not know about it! We first met in the summer of 2016 through our mutual best friend Rachel. Andrea only knew me as Rachel’s “seminarian friend” whom they would text occasionally with random theology questions. When we finally met we bonded over this mutual friendship we shared with Rachel. During the summer of 2016, I (David) was working in the Office of Vocations and Andrea was working in the Office of Youth Ministry. Our offices collaborated together throughout the summer and the interns in both offices became quick friends. Andrea and I quickly developed a Christian friendship rooted in our ministry work and mutual friends. As the summer closed and school picked back up again, I made trips to visit my friends in Springfield, MO at Missouri State where Andrea went to school and we continued to hang out with friends in STL over breaks. Over time, Andrea and I grew to be very close friends. Let’s fast forward to the Spring of 2018. Andrea had already begun as a FOCUS missionary, while I was finishing up my senior year at Cardinal Glennon College. With much prayer, I followed God’s will and discerned out of the seminary after graduation. I had no idea what would be next, but my beautiful bride-to-be had an inkling. I’ll let her tell the rest of the story…

At some point during our friendship, David and I were out to lunch at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop (a favorite during our intern days). I remember having a great afternoon. At one point, he got up to refill my water and I heard a voice deep in my heart say, “I’m gonna marry that man someday” the thought shocked me because we were simply good friends and I quickly pushed it away. Even now, I can only explain it as the voice of the Holy Spirit. I loved hanging out with him, but marry him...no way! After David left seminary, our friendship deepened and a mutual attraction toward each other grew. At the end of the summer of 2018, David asked me on a date. We went to dinner and spent time praying in the adoration chapel at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton where we will get married. We knew we had to be all in if we were going to pursue this relationship because I was moving five hours away at the end of the week. That night, we agreed that we would pursue sainthood together in our dating relationship and our daily yes to God and each other through the many ups and downs since then has led us here today. Fifteen months later in November 2020, David proposed in the Marian chapel at the Cathedral Basilica St. Louis where I had prayed many times for my vocation. We continue to dedicate our relationship every day to Jesus through the care and intercession of Mary. We can’t thank you all enough for being a part of our lives and our story. We know God has great things in store for us as we commit to running to Heaven together for the rest of our lives!