We're getting married!

Wes and I met at Starved Rock State Park, on a group day hike. I had just entered my second semester as a freshman at Illinois State University, and Wes had just transferred into ISU as a junior. We were both heavily involved with the ISU Catholic Newman center, a campus ministry, but somehow it took weeks into the semester before we ever learned of each other's existence. After these weeks of causally being in the same place, but never making contact with one another (Millennials, am I right?), Wes and I were finally trapped on trails and unable to avoid talking. As I walked down the trail, minding my own business, I noticed a well-trimmed beard and a flannel coming my way... and the rest was history! Wes and I went from strangers, to best friends in an instant. We were inseparable for the remainder of our college careers. We did everything together. From liquor store sangria runs, to 2am shifts at Jimmy John's (yup, we even worked together- I made the sandwiches and he biked around delivering them). From car accidents, to spontaneous road trips. From daily mass, to late-night jam sessions. From running around campus in the middle of the night, to hanging in our hammock at The Tree. From countless hours spent at the record stores, to rock climbing until our fingers fell off. From thrift shopping, to our 12-day hangout streak. From a 5-night-in-a-row movie marathon of Forest Gump, to sneaking into each other's classes, so we could hang out longer. From young and reckless, to recklessly in love, Wes and I are like peas & carrots. Wes graduated, and I still had 1.5 years left. But rest assured, peas & carrots find a way to stay together. He drove the 3-hours to ISU regularly, and stayed way longer than his employer approved of (lol). When Wes decided to spend an entire summer in the backcountry of New Mexico, it was a mere 14 days later that he showed up, unannounced, in my bedroom doorway, having driven 18-hrs straight so we could see each other. Inseparable.

On August 14th, 2018, Wes and I met at St. Mary's Seminary in Mundelein to say our final consecration prayer to Merciful Love (33 Days to Merciful Love- would highly recommend!!). We went to our usual spot, down by the water on the marble stairs. We were casually talking about how happy were to be together and how much we have grown as a couple. We then said our consecration prayer, and marveled at Christ's peace and his miraculous Will for our lives. Wes then knelt in front of me and pulled out a beautiful wooden bowl that he so slyly had hidden in the pillars. He then grabbed a vase and leaned down to scoop some water out of the lake. Wes took off my shoes, and began washing my feet. He told me that his life's mission is to serve me in the way that Christ serves the Church- to lay down his life. Wes washed my feet the same way that Christ washed the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper. A representation of humility and servanthood (John 13). He proposed with the most beautiful engagement ring, that he so perfectly designed for me. But in the shock of the moment, the ring was the last thing I cared about. Wesley knows my heart so completely. We have grown together in every possible way. But none have matched the amazing growth and maturity our spiritual lives have encountered. We believe wholeheartedly that the purpose of marriage is to help our spouse get to Heaven. We are called to follow in Christ's example to serve, suffer, and die to ourselves for the sake of the other. "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friend" (John 15:13).