"This will be a night to remember" - Bilbo Baggins, Fellowship of the Ring

We often talk of the many “God-incidences” that have occurred in our relationship, and the story of how we met is no exception. Through event after unexpected event, both our paths led us to become members of an intimate fellowship of young adult Catholics who share a love of Lord of the Rings, centered in the city of Albany, NY. It was through this book club, affectionately referred to as the “Second Breakfast Club,” that we first met. The “God-incidences” didn’t stop there, however. Our friend and groomsman Lucas Kellis started a four-person Lord of the Rings board game group. Luckily for Vic, Emily joined the group because of her love of board games (a love she learned from her family), and Vic joined because, well… because he wanted to get to know Emily better! The four of us took turns hosting these game nights, and Vic always made sure to clean and tidy his apartment to “woman-approved” standards whenever he hosted. It was through these game nights that we were able to have some of our first shared memories and experiences. We cooked our first meal together at Vic’s apartment (salmon quesadillas), and sent each other our first emoji reacts (Vic was particularly pleased whenever he got a “heart” react). The game group was also an opportunity for us to get to know one another better. Vic learned about Emily’s love of wine, a piece of information that would be very useful in choosing a first date location. On one of these game group evenings (February 25th, 2022 to be exact) after a full day of bitter cold snowfall, Vic decided the time had come to pop the first date question. Emily’s answer, which she waited a full 23 hrs to return, would unknowingly be one of many tests of patience Emily would bestow on Vic in their coming relationship. Nonetheless, the answer came, and on April 9th, 2022, at 7:00pm, a new adventure began.

Some might say that having three dates within the first week of dating might be “too fast”, but we chose to waste no time getting to know one another. From intimate evenings at wine bars, to bright, sunny walks in the park, we kept our adventures varied and numerous. Through it all, we tested each other in equally varied and numerous ways. From trying Vic’s patience, resolve, and tolerance for those “evil” squirrels, to testing Emily’s trust, self-confidence, and tolerance for spicy food, we grew in knowledge of each other and ourselves. Emily learned that Vic is indeed “not an axe murderer”, after Vic led them down the wrong trail through the backcountry of the Adirondack Mountains by mistake (not intentionally!). Vic learned that Emily drives like his grandmother, and does most other activities at an “Ent-ish” pace, which he decided is not so bad as he first thought. We also learned of our mutual love of dancing, though it took Vic some time to drink up the courage for that first dance. Delightedly, we learned of many mutual loves which we had the joy of sharing during our time together: from cooking fancy meals, to walks in nature, as well as a deep love of Jesus, Eucharistic Adoration, and praying the Liturgy of the Hours. It was on one such occasion, after praying together and spending much time in intimate dialogue and discussion, that we decided to make things “official”, and become boyfriend/girlfriend on June 4th, 2022.

December of 2022 found us travelling to Cornhusker Nation, more commonly known as Nebraska state, for the Christmas season. After picking up Vic in Omaha, Emily had the utmost entertainment as she drove them across the rural Nebraska countryside and watched as Vic had an absolute mental meltdown at such an “alien landscape” (not to mention it was forty below zero when he arrived). The lack of trees, elevation change, and really “anything at all” was deeply disturbing to his mountain-loving brain, and he wasn’t shy about expressing it. Vic learned all about Emily’s strange Nebraskan ways. From road trip games involving cows, to freezing corn in butter boxes, there was no lack of Great Plains customs for Vic to get acquainted with. Luckily for him, Emily was a kind and eager teacher, though not without her chuckles at his frequent flabbergast. The holiday goings-on weren’t all strange and foreign to Vic, though still quite mysterious. We speak of course of the mystery of Christ’s birth. Amid the bitter cold and biting wind, the trip was flush with warmth and light. There were many joyous Christmas blessings to be had. So much did Vic enjoy the trip in fact, that he decided to come back! It was in year two, surrounded by a snowscape winter wonderland, that Vic posed a particular proposition to Emily. After morning prayer, genuflecting before the tabernacle of Immaculate Conception Church, with Christ and his angels as his witnesses, Vic “popped the question”. And though Vic had hoped to cause surprise, it was in turn Emily who caused the true astonishment through her words of reply - not merely “yes”, but “may it be done to me according to his word”.

This chapter is yet to be written, beginning June, 6th, 2025.