Our first date was on April 19th, 2017, at The Wild Detectives in the Bishop Arts District of Oak Cliff. I rushed over from teaching a barre class, after a mad dash to change clothes and look presentable. Hunter's phone crashed and he was late.

We started small: pleasantries and politics. Music and Movies. God and country. We had a pleasant evening and went home. He held the door open for me.

In the next weeks and months, we realized some things. We had common values. We loved to talk about ideas and social issues. We laughed a lot when we were together. And we loved being together. We shared a common faith.

It became apparent that this faith was the foundation on which we could build...and something beautiful was happening. We were becoming better versions of ourselves through sharing. Even though this world seems dead-set against lasting relationships, we are both stubborn enough to hold on to faith in God, and our common membership in the Catholic Church...to cling to something lasting. Hunter and I soon began praying together every day.

As time went on, we saw that the healing and goodness of where God had brought us was growing by leaps and bounds through our relationship. It seemed the only thing to do was to stay together. So one day, Hunter asked me to stay with him forever and be his wife. I am so glad I said yes!

Amy and I met in April, shortly after the Easter holiday. Our first date was at a bookstore and coffee shop called Wild Detectives in Oak Cliff. On my way there, my GPS crashed, and I ended up being late, making a very strong first impression! After our date, I wasn’t sure Amy liked me all that much. I was frazzled, and I had a hard time reading her. I decided to ask her out again anyway. If she didn’t want to go out again, the worst thing she could do is say no. She didn’t say no, and I’m so thankful I asked.

We began slowly going out more, and soon, we became virtually inseparable, spending most of our summer together. Like myself, Amy is a convert to Catholicism, however her intensely devout spirit was an inspiration, and energized me to further my spiritual journey and hew even closer to the sacraments of our faith. Our shared values forged a strong bond, and seeing the way she lifted me up, I soon knew this was the girl I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I asked her to marry me in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She said yes. I am quite blessed.

Hunter proposed on October 7th, 2017. We were on a trip to Albuquerque, where Hunter was a groomsman in a dear friend's wedding. The next day, he took me to Sante Fe and made a beeline for the Cathedral. There was a wedding going on, so we had to come back later. After a nervous breakfast, we came back to the cathedral. It was more crowded than Hunter had anticipated and I (Amy) noticed that Hunter kept looking over his shoulder as if someone were watching us. Finally, he took me to the lady chapel (a small private chapel on the side of the church), where we were alone. I was standing, looking at the high altar and I felt a nudge on my back. I didn't move. Finally, Hunter said my name. I turned around, and he was kneeling down in the center aisle behind me, with the ring box out. It was so utterly private and perfect. I said yes, and afterwards we went and got ice cream and walked around Santa Fe hand in hand. It was a perfect day!

The ring: I am the 4th generation in Hunter's family to have this diamond. It first belonged to Hunter's great grandmother, as a collective gift from her sons. Then it belonged to her daughter, and then Hunter's dad proposed with it to his mom, and now it belongs to me. I cannot help but be moved by the genuine connectedness I feel to have it on my finger. I am so blessed to be entrusted with such a special thing.

Hunter will wear the ring which belonged to his grandfather, Hunter Strain. He and Mary Louise were married in 1953, and the original engraving in the ring still says their wedding date.

Amy's ring is a new platinum and diamond eternity ring.