Jacob and Catey met on a trip to Medjugorje, June of 2014. While driving to the airport, they bonded over singing to "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz on the radio. They ended up attending Saint Joseph High School together, where the musicals and a weekly prayer group brought them closer and closer. Jacob had a crush on Catey, but as he was discerning the priesthood, he kept his fancies to himself, writing love notes to her in his diary that would never be delivered... or so he thought. The summer after his senior year, 2019, with much encouragement from his friends, he gathered the needed courage to finally reveal his feelings to Catey. On June 8th, at the top of the hill at Warren Dunes, Jacob grinned and blushed through the revelation of his inner heart. Catey, flabbergasted, was at a loss for words! Her good friend, whom she often pictured as a priest, had liked her all this time. They decided the best course of action would be to remain just as they were, good friends. That did not last long. They had already set plans to return to Medjugorje June of 2019, back to the origin of their long-lasting friendship. There, they grew not only in their faith but in their attachment to one another. Days were filled with saunters through fields of grape vines, and much pizza. They learned to confide in each other and pray with each other through dealings of the heart. Catey fell in love with the young man she was getting to know in a way she never had before. His heart was open and full of love, his faithfulness strong and consistent. Jacob fell further for the girl he had always wanted to know in this special way, and the two of them became inseparable from the time of these precious moments.

The rest of the summer was spent mostly at Saint Patrick's Park where they read stories to each other, ate much food off of picnic blankets, and walked the trails until their feet tired and their hearts laid bare. Each day felt like a dream hazed by the tenderness of young love, a love each had no problem building upon.

By the end of Catey's senior year, they decided they wanted to eventually marry and planned on attending Purdue University together. After their Freshman year, Jacob felt uneasy in not becoming a priest, and the two separated while he continued his discernment. They remained friends as they developed their relationship with God and continued their studies.

Catey, lamenting over the loss of her best friend, often prayed through the situation, feeling God's desire for her to let Jacob be as he discerned. Catey continuously heard the words "If you give him space, he will realize I am allowing him to marry you." It felt too good to be true, but the time for this was soon to come. They eventually cut off all communication as it was too much for both of them to be friends and still so deeply in love. During this time, God revealed to Catey how He was working through their entire situation. In a fit of despair, Catey called her mom, seeking her advice. She had written Jacob a letter containing sentiments of forgiveness, apologies, and official farewells, and wanted to know if she should send it to him. Her mom advised her to ask God what He desired. She did, and heard the words "Do not reach out first. If Jacob reaches out, then you can talk to him. Otherwise, continue focusing on me and me alone." She did just that, internalizing that they would never speak again, as she was sure of Jacob's commitment to the priesthood. About four hours later in her last class of the day, however, Jacob texted for the first time since they cut off communication. Crying in the middle of a lecture, Catey typed out her reply. They set a time for the next day.

Before their meeting, through nerves and worries, Catey asked for God's grace through this situation. He consistently spoke to her, saying: "Jacob will tell you that he wants to marry you and you are allowed to say yes." To her naive surprise, Jacob said just that. He shared with her the blessing God bestowed upon their desire to marry. They prayed the rosary and celebrated their love. Even though Catey got food poisoning from the Chipotle they ate, it was one of the best nights of her life.

Jacob officially proposed September 30th, 2023, on the top of Warren Dunes, not far from where he first shared his heart with his girl in 2019. They will be married June 8th, 2024, in honor of that special day so many years ago. They cannot wait to celebrate their God-blessed union with all of you on their long awaited wedding day!