We met on 22 December 2023, doing something we both love - singing. We went caroling with a big group, including Veronika's brother Gabe, around downtown Fredrick, MD. After singing together again and a few more encounters, we began to form a close friendship following 6 April 2024, the Saturday of the Easter Octave.

We bonded intellectually over the faith, theology, philosophy, education, music, and humor. Text messages turned into emails, which turned into letters. All the while, Braden found every opportunity he could to spend time with Veronika and her family. We began to attend Braden's prayer groups and church community events together and Veronika met Braden's family (immediate and extended) in Maryland during this time.

After stating his intention to Veronika's parents and receiving their blessing, on 19 May 2024, Pentecost Sunday, Braden (through a poem he wrote in Latin) expressed his interest to Veronika and asked her out on a date...which was not to happen until June because of Braden's dating fast and Veronika's trip to Tokyo for her brother Travis's wedding!


We went on our first date and began our official relationship on 13 June 2024, the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of soul mates - Braden often prayed St. Anthony's Be Satisfied With Me prayer for almost a year's time before he knew he was interested in Veronika.


After many conversations, Sunday and daily Masses, times of prayer, dates, a trip with Braden's sisters and nephew to visit family in North Carolina, and two cross-country moves later (Veronika's family move back to Texas and Braden's move to Wisconsin), we were formally engaged on 6 August 2024, the Feast of the Transfiguration.