I met Josh while attending the freshman retreat on September 13, 2013 at the UNC Newman Catholic Center. In accordance with the Disney theme, Josh was dressed as Russell from Up in full Boy Scout getup, complete with an overstuffed backpack and pans dangling over the sides. (He seemed oddly dedicated for someone who had not seen the movie!) I was minding my own business in the Activity Center, when Josh introduced himself. Even if it was another standard introductory conversation, everyone else blended into the background. I just remember thinking how friendly, smart, and humble this guy was. Throughout the rest of my first semester, we saw each other at daily mass and he invited me to have soufflés or other crazy cooking adventure he was itching to try.

To raise money for Dance Marathon, a few friends and I decided to have a bake sale on Franklin Street. I knew Josh had a car, so I asked him if he could do me a favor on Friday. Instead of asking what the favor was like any normal person he asked if I needed a date. I was so confused until I realized he might have been hinting at Valentine’s Day being on that Friday. Before I could respond, he said he was just kidding and I proceeded to ask him if he could help me transport some foods and our table to Franklin Street for the bake sale. We ended up getting 4 inches of snow Thursday night, so I cancelled the bake sale. I asked him how serious he was about the date, and he responded that we could discuss it at dinner that night. After a delightful evening at Champs, he dropped me off at my dorm. When I asked if that was a date, he said “if that’s okay with you.” I cannot help but smile every time I recall these tender beginnings of our relationship.

I met Maria during my junior year at UNC Chapel Hill. It has always felt it so easy to be myself around her, and I had an inkling from the beginning that I could build a life with her. Our relationship grew over the next several months until she asked me for a date on Valentine's day. This past summer, I looked back over the past three years and could appreciate how we have grown as a couple and as individuals. After discarding a few silly ideas about stunts I could when proposing to her, I decided to ask when we were at our best as a couple, following the sacrament of Confession. I cannot wait to be joined with her in the sacrament of matrimony, to grow in holiness and to embark on our life together.