Some may say that ours is a relationship inspired by the divine intervention of Touchdown Jesus or possibly under the Holy Grail of the Fighting Irish... and, to be honest, they may be right!

Natalie's family moved the summer of 4th grade. As fate would have it, there is a young Irish lad named Connor McDonnell that attends the same school. Natalie likes to joke and say they were destined to be friends as they were the only two people in their class who cheered on the Blue and Gold Fighting Irish. Natalie might have even had a premonition they would be together one day as she wrote in Connor's 6th grade yearbook - Natalie ur bestie :)

Unfortunately, their paths would grind to a screeching halt during high school years as Natalie followed in the footsteps of her sisters and attended Millard North, while Connor attended rival Millard West.

Football season is a highly anticipated family affair for both the Begley and McDonnell families. When and where to cheer on the Irish becomes the weekly hot topic. Traditionally, Connor's great uncle, Mike McDonnell, hosts an epic party during the season. Both Connor and Natalie's families attend, but up to this point, Natalie and Connor never actually interact or talk to each other. You know the drill... teenage boys on one side of the room, teenage girls on the other!

Notre Dame Football party 2018 is when things change. Natalie's cousin, John, bridges this great divide. Natalie goes home that night waiting for Connor to text her... and he does! Connor and Natalie talk, go on to attend homecoming together their senior year and... on Connor's 18th birthday... he makes the move and asks Natalie for a birthday kiss!

Connor officially asks Natalie to be his girlfriend in September of 2018. The rest, as they say, is history.

This Nurse - Firefighter duo now owns a house and has a puppy, Copper, that they love and spoil. It may be fate... or is it The Luck of the Irish?

Thank you for helping us celebrate our marriage!