This narrative is written by and from the perspective of Sarah Riordan, Matron of Honor. No names have been changed to protect identities and nothing has been flourished for dramatic effect.

A Blast from the Past

It’s September 1, 2012 and the Kansas State Football team is gearing up for their first game of the season against Missouri State. Meanwhile, back at Haymaker Hall, Bridget and I [friends of the bride to be] are greasing up our bicycles and prepping for the long trek across Z-lot to our first tailgate as Freshmen Cats. Even though the game isn’t until 7:10pm, we know the parking lots open 6 hours before kickoff. Shortly after 2:00 pm we are ready to ride. Unable to contain our excitement, we take off with no sunscreen and no water. No problem though, we know there will be plenty to drink at our first tailgate. ;)

Bill Snyder’s team went into the locker room at half time only ahead 9-6. Good thing for Bridget and me, we had just started to sober up by the time the band finished their halftime performance and the team came back out for the second half. That is when we noticed number 10 on the field, senior Anthony Cantele, who was perfect on three field goal attempts. Cantele showed confidence on the field that day reporting later, ''The offense pulled it off again, just like I knew they would.''

The game ended in a 51-9 blowout for the Cats, and Bridget and I rode home with a nice sunburn, slight hangover, and new appreciation for a boy named Anthony Cantele.

Fast forward 12 years. It’s early Fall 2024 and Abby Donart phones to tell me she has been set up on a blind date with a PE teacher from Kapaun Mount Carmel named, you guessed it, Anthony Cantele. Could this boy be the same Anthony Cantele who impressed us with his kicks all those years ago? As Abby dressed up for her first date, Bridget and I only hoped the date would be as hot and sweaty as it was on that September 1st game day so many years ago…

The Meet Up

You might be asking yourself, how did Abby and Anthony’s paths cross? Could they have met via the Catholic Match profile Sarah had set up for Abby? Maybe they met at a bar like Abby’s parents or did it start with a loving glance in adoration? The true story is that the PE teacher at Blessed Sacrament (thanks Heather!!!), where Abby works, knew of a nice single soccer coach at Kapaun where she also happened to coach volleyball. This coworker of Abby’s asked if she could pass along her phone number, to which Abby desperately replied, YES!

While the rest of the world was anxiously watching the polls to see if we’d have a Trump or Harris victory, Abby received a phone call from an unknown number with the message “spam likely.” Could this be a last attempt political call encouraging citizens to get out and vote or could it perhaps be a local, single boy, ready to take a leap of faith?

With each passing ring Abby debated whether to answer the call. With only seconds to make a decision, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Abby slowly slid her finger across her iPhone screen, raised the phone to her ear, and exhaled a timid “hello.”

To Anthony’s surprise, Abby agreed to a blind date. They made a plan to meet at Norton’s Brewing Company in Wichita. With nerves running high, Abby had this to recall about the evening, “We didn’t know what each other looked like except for the pic Sarah sent me when I was on my way to the date.” Like any good friend would do with the information I had been given by Abby, I immediately went to the staff page on the Kapaun school website scouring for any teacher named Anthony. Turns out there are two teachers named Anthony so it was a toss up, but with some reasonable deductions Abby was able to narrow it down and glimpse, for the first time, the face of her future husband.

Abby arrived at the date a casual two minutes late, in an attempt to not look overly desperate. Anthony on the other hand thought he was being stood up because as any respectable gentleman knows, on time means ten minutes early. Therefore he had been waiting for quite some time. As Abby finally emerged through the front doors, Anthony stood up and greeted her with a proper handshake. The two strangers slung some brews and the rest as they say is history. Eyewitness, Evan Burke, who also happened to be enjoying some evening brews, had this to say about the exchange, “It looked like it was going well.”

Most days you can find the couple running, walking Anthony’s dog, hitting the gym, or escaping paparazzi (students trying to sneak a quick pic of their teachers' love life). Abby enjoys watching Anthony coach Kapaun’s high school soccer teams with her future in-laws. And happily cheered him on as his team placed third at State this season!

After a nerve racking conversation with Abby’s dad, Anthony received John Donart’s blessing to wed his only daughter. John’s one request was to surprise Abby. So during the final week of school, after soccer practice, Anthony popped the big question! Abby of course said yes and the couple raced off to Norton’s Brewing Company to celebrate with friends in the place where it all started!

Congratulations to Anthony and Abby as we all anxiously await to celebrate your big day with you! We couldn’t be happier!

Q + A

Q + A coming soon!