Dear Friends and Family, Due to the many changes in their lives, Barret and Marie have decided to postpone their wedding. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, and thank you for your love and support! -Bond and Lee Families

As structural engineering students at the University of Notre Dame, Marie and Barret had known each other from their classes since their freshman year. But it wasn’t until they studied abroad together in New Zealand with their mutual friend Lily (matchmaker then and bridesmaid now) that they became better friends. The semester after their summer abroad, Barret asked Marie if she would like to go on a date. Marie initially said no, not wanting to make classes awkward if things didn’t work out. But Barret wouldn’t be so easily discouraged. Instead, he threw a “New Zealand Reunion'' party–really just hoping to see her. After the party, Marie realized she had lost one of the earrings she had worn that night. Barret, seeing his opportunity, found the earring and jokingly told Marie that if she wanted it back, she would have to go on a date with him. She laughed and said yes. The two went to an ice cream shop on Eddy Street. What started as a slightly awkward encounter turned into three hours of talking. Distracted by each other’s company, their ice cream melted, untouched. Eventually, Barret and Marie decided to make it official. Since then, the two have gone on countless ice cream dates.

On vacation with Barret’s family in November 2020, Marie and Barret witnessed a proposal on the beach. It was a heartwarming moment to be a part of, and more importantly, it planted seeds in Barret’s mind. Barret spent months planning the perfect proposal. All in secret, he shopped for a ring, arranged for a hidden photographer, and chose the perfect time and place. Marie nearly discovered his surprise when Barret’s mother, Xandra, sent him a text about his plans while Marie was holding his phone. Thinking quickly, Barret and his mother concocted a fake surprise that they convinced Marie she had discovered. Marie bought the ruse, and went on the next family vacation believing all that awaited her was a “surprise” spa day. When the family arrived at their destination, everything was in place. As they usually do on family vacations, Marie and his sisters had their nails done at the resort’s salon (a key aspect of Barret’s plan). On Thanksgiving Day 2021, the whole family dressed up for their holiday dinner and Barret’s mother suggested they go down to the beach to take some family photos. When they reached the beach, a resort photographer was standing off to the side, inconspicuously taking what appeared to be promotional pictures for the resort. Someone even joked that maybe the family should ask her to take their pictures. When the time was right, just as the sun was beginning to set, Barret led Marie away from the family and further down the beach. At first she was confused, but as Barret began speaking and the photographer moved into place, she knew what was happening. On that beach in Costa Rica, with the sun setting behind him, Barret dropped to his knee and pulled out a little black box. Marie said yes.

...to celebrate our marriage with you!