Our story begins on September 9, 2023 - the day we met for the first time. Introduced by Cecilia’s cousin/Justin’s roommate at the time, we met at Holy Family’s Fall Festival, but didn’t actually exchange any words with each other. But our story really begins a few weeks later, when the relic of the arm of St. Jude made its way to Holy Family (are you sensing a theme here?). After Mass, I (Cecilia) approached Justin and asked, “You’re Joseph’s roommate, right?” We proceeded to chat for quite some time, and both of us were curious to learn more about the other.

A couple months passed before we saw each other again, when Justin conveniently started coming to Holy Family on a more regular basis (for the sermons, of course! Completely unrelated to Cecilia). We started talking and eating donuts together after Mass and looking for each other every Sunday. Things really started to take off on Christmas Eve, when a long chat after 9pm Mass turned into an invitation to join a few choir members for drinks before Midnight Mass. The next week, I invited Justin to a late night New Year’s Eve Mass and champagne toast. We talked for a very long time after, and in the wee hours on the first day of 2024, Justin asked me out for dinner, and thus our dating relationship began!

Our first date took place later that week at what is now one of our favorite restaurants, Macanda, followed by a walk along Lake Minnetonka. In the weeks to follow, we went on many dinner dates and walks, and got to know each other on a deeper level. It was pretty clear to both of us early on that we had found our forever person.

Time flew by, filled with both exciting celebrations and normal day-to-day activities. We enjoy spending time together no matter the occasion - trips to the zoo, long walks, wading into one of Minnesota’s 10,000 (or 11,482, depending on who you ask) lakes, cooking dinner, playing board games, watching movies, hanging out with friends and family, celebrating our birthdays.

One very memorable date was a day trip to Duluth and Two Harbors in August. The day started bright and early, and it looked like we would have a normal day of exploring and hiking after our short road trip up there. We enjoyed a walk along Lake Superior, dared to wade in the freezing water, and grabbed coffee and a bar of chocolate at Duluth Coffee Co. Unfortunately, the sun was bearing down on us at that point, and the chocolate completely melted in its wrapper. But it was no problem, and we continued on to Gooseberry Falls State Park for a little hiking and time in nature. And then came the rain - but at least the trails were empty! We were soaking wet, but it was a great time nonetheless. Thinking the day was already as eventful as possible, we grabbed dinner at a nice restaurant in Duluth, where the cops showed up! Then we proceeded to drive back to the Twin Cities in an absolute downpour - all in all, a very memorable day!

Fast forward a few months: Justin had been looking for houses for some time, and stumbled across the perfect fit in Coon Rapids, which he closed on in mid-October. Three days later, he proposed on Lake Minnetonka, and I could not have said yes faster. We revisited Macanda, and dreamt about what our future would hold.

The months since then have been filled with lots of wedding planning and preparation for our marriage. We continue to do our favorite activities together every chance we get, and are more excited than ever to start this new chapter of our lives together! We are so grateful for all the prayers and support we have received as we’ve prepared for this sacrament, and can’t wait to celebrate with our family and friends in June!