We both work at Xavier Prep in Phoenix, an all girl's Catholic school. I had known Eric for a couple of years as we crossed paths, but he was more reserved than me and we never talked. It was not until one of my colleagues thought we might be a good couple and went out of her way to get us together. In many ways, it was a school wide collaboration among many people who knew we both were deeply committed to our faith and thought we would be good together. We are so grateful for those people (they know who they are) even if it made things a bit awkward. Long story short, Eric was invited to give a talk entitled, "Results of God's Friendship on Xavier Kairos (the retreat Danielle coordinates at Xavier) in the Spring of 2022. His talk blew me away and it was at that moment I developed a huge crush on him, but also we did not connect socially and I gave up on the idea. A few months later in early August, Eric was going to help with the retreat and give another talk. He started visiting me in my classroom and instead of just responding by email. Each time Eric visited, I liked him more and more. I guess the feeling was mutual, because he asked me on our first date and we had a great time. The rest is history and I cannot help but say, Eric is certainly a result of God's goodness in my life. We are so excited to get married!

About a month shy of us dating for a year, I had made it clear to Eric that I would say "yes" if he proposed. I knew he wanted to! On August 1st, 2023 we went for a late night visit to see Jesus in the adoration chapel at St. Thomas the Apostle (the Church where we are getting married) as I had done for years during my weekly prayer time. There in the chapel, before our first love, Jesus, Eric asked me to marry him. I looked awful and was completely surprised, but was absolutely convinced the Lord was giving me the man I had prayed for so many times years before in that exact chapel. To top it off, Eric got me a PINK engagement ring! What I had always hoped for. God is good and my lesson in all of this is, patience was crucial, but the Lord is never too early or too late, His timing is perfect!