We're Getting Married!

You could call the moment of their meeting fate, the result of the stars aligning, a meet-cute, similar to that of Mr. Darcy seeing Elizabeth Bennet for the first time, or the beautiful design of a loving God. While these may be true, they like to call it, more specifically, “Dr. John Edwards.” In 2017, Campus Ministry Headmaster John Edwards chose Natalie to be a part of the Campus Ministry team of 8 interns at Villanova University. Then, in 2018, Andrew was accepted into the same program—by no small act of Providence he would add—after being placed third on the waitlist for the last open position.

From the moment they met, a budding friendship quickly formed by playing many games of Monopoly Deal, sharing numerous conversations over brunch and after meetings, and discussing theological ideas after classes. After agreeing to have lunch together one afternoon, Andrew called Natalie the night before to “talk.” Natalie, already walking back to her residence hall, agreed to meet Andrew at the Our Mother of Good Counsel grotto for a brief conversation. Sitting in the moonlight near the Blessed Mother, Andrew shared that, after a couple weeks of getting to know Natalie, he had grown in admiration of her and would actually like to take her out on a date instead (and yes, he actually said “I’ve grown in admiration of you”—it was awkwardly sweet). Natalie, secretly hoping he would ask, agreed.

From crowd surfing at a Real Friends Concert (twice) to an elegant afternoon of tea at the Dandelion to driving in the rain and traffic to see the famous Christmas tree in NYC to late nights making up their own rules to Monopoly Deal, their relationship has been full of adventure, silliness, refinery, and excitement. They have not only introduced each other to new experiences (e.g. Andrew’s love for Jersey, punk rock, Spongebob, and Italian food and Natalie’s love for California, British television, coffee, and all things Disney), but have also bonded over a similar love for Harry Potter, walks in the great outdoors, silly accents, a game of 1-on-1 basketball, cornhole, and, most importantly, Jesus and our Catholic faith.

After solidifying the final proposal preparations, Andrew, unable to contain his excitement, told Natalie to get ready to be proposed to on the Feast of St. Augustine… That Friday afternoon Andrew picked Natalie up to go to Villanova, and as soon as he started the car it began to rain cats and dogs. Andrew, feeling relieved that they had just missed getting drenched by this scattered thunderstorm, pulled away—eager to propose. Moments after they began cautiously driving toward their proposal, Natalie began to question whether or not she had unplugged her hair straightener. Needless to say, Andrew returned to check, only to be drenched from head to toe by what felt like a tsunami because Natalie thought her hair straightener was still plugged in (Natalie would like to remark that this act of chivalry made her answer at the moment of proposal all the more easy and memorable). And again by Providence, the rain stopped as soon as they arrived at Villanova and a small patch of blue sky peeked through. Hopping out of the car, Andrew and Natalie walked back to the grotto where Andrew proposed using a made-up monopoly deal card, called “The Deal Maker." After she joyfully said “yes,” Andrew stood up from his kneeling pose and noticed John Edwards walking through the Campus Green. And again, it all began with “Dr. John Edwards.”