From Brandi:
I started a prayer journal about 6 years ago, to pray specifically for a future spouse. I continued the prayers, and multiple more journals, for all the years to follow.

It was a true suffering to have hope that my prayers would ever see their fruit. After dating a lot, I experienced how hard it is to find the right fit. Not just “well this works” but for a relationship to truly flourish and to glorify God. I knew that it would be a miracle if I would ever marry.

Meanwhile, Zack was planning to stay celibate for the rest of his life and was in seminary to become a priest. Zack endured significant health issues during his last year in seminary, which was impairing his ability to study and function. After seeking out help from various doctors and no resolve, he was led out of seminary. He was then connected with a neuro-chiropractor who explained he developed issues with his spine and nervous system after a car accident he had been in. After getting treatment and receiving some healing, he decided to be open to dating. He thought he was just going to “get to know people and go on a lot of bad dates”. Little did he know he would meet his future wife on his first date.

On my first date with Zack, he told me I was his FIRST date in 6 years (as he was in seminary for 4 years prior and was discerning before that). Zack and I met on a dating app, Hinge.

We found out we had been living within about 15 miles of each other for many years and also that we had been on the same retreat months prior but never saw each other.

We had a great first date and after date 3, Zack had to decide if he was going to move or stay in Minnesota. (He was planning to move in with family, in Michigan, to get back on his feet). He told me he would pray about what to do and would pursue me if he thinks that God wants him to stay.

Within the next 2 weeks, Zack had found a job in MN and an apartment a week later. We were overjoyed to go on another date and it was history after that! Months later, we both said after a month of dating we knew we wanted to marry each other.