We first became acquainted through Saint Monica's Parish. In the fall of 2021, we connected as a form of friendly support through the shared experience of having lived through and discerned religious life, and now trying to readjust to secular life and find holiness within it. At the wedding of our best friends, Stephen invited Valerie to dinner, not originally intended as a date on either side. We became lost in conversation, and once a mutual love of Tolkien's works was discovered, something wonderful began to develop. Throughout an eventful courtship, having the other's support during joyful and difficult times has been a profound blessing and a wonderful adventure, one we wish to continue together for the rest of our lives. "And Fate them forged a binding chain/Of living love and mortal pain." --J.R.R. Tolkein, "The Lay of Leithian"

It was the feast day of one of our favorite saints, Saint Alphonsus Ligouri. We began a devotion of praying the Stations of the Cross on Fridays early on in our courtship. Our best friends had, by happenstance, been praying in the same church at the same time we prayed this devotion nearly every week. On this day, Stephen invited Valerie to pray the Stations of the Cross with him at Saint Monica's, and invited our best friends to come to the church to intentionally pray for us as we carried out our devotion. When we came to the communion rail to finish our devotions, as was our wont, he asked the question!