Sisters: you can’t live with them; you can’t live without them! Once upon a hot Monday in September 2017, two close friends, Rose (Daly) Harmeyer and Mary Ellen (Lechner) Yep, were in cahoots about how to get their two younger siblings to meet. Grace always knew of Mary Ellen, but never heard she had a younger brother. Rob, for several months, heard Mary Ellen mention this girl, Grace, but thought he’d have to be crazy to drive all the way down to Kentucky to date a girl. Rob was finally convinced to meet her when work brought him to Lexington, KY on September 26, 2017. Rose texted Grace that day while she was in class, saying a boy was in town who may be worthwhile to meet. Grace agreed only because it was Mary Ellen’s brother, and he would probably never be in town to bother her again. Rob called Grace that Monday night and asked her out on a date for the following day.

Grace walked into the Fat Lamb on Tuesday, September 27, not having seen one picture of Rob, but being told by Rose: he looks like his sister. Rob had arrived 15 minutes before schedule to set up the date and make sure the waitress would not bother us until we had a good 10 minutes to talk and introduce ourselves. Grace finds out that Rob’s company sends him to Lexington at least twice a month! Maybe she would not be able to get away from him after all. Rob knew that he was heading into a week long vacation to Spain for a wedding, but told himself he had to get back to Kentucky asap to this visit this girl. When the night was finished, Rob convinced Grace they should meet up the next time he would be in town.

A week and a half later, Rob told Grace he had “business” in KY that weekend. He asked if he could pick her up at noon and drop her off after dinner. Grace was shocked this guy had the audacity to ask her out for a 10 hour date, but knew if she enjoyed one dinner date with him, a whole day with him cannot be all that bad. October 14 came and Rob showed up just in time for Mr. Daly to show up as well! Rob had surprised Grace with a whole day of planned adventures: starting with a hike at the botanical gardens, moving to a Jazz festival downtown, and finishing with a sunset cruise on the Ohio River. Grace was starving when she and Rob finally arrived at Milkwood for the 9’oclock dinner. She ordered the first thing on the menu: Ribs. They ate a dessert in honor of Mary Ellen's birthday: something chocolate. Rob picked up Grace for Mass and brunch very early the next morning before Rob headed back to Chicago. Little did they know: this was the first of many weekends together...

Rob came down to Louisville two weeks later- this time, admitting it was not for business. He continued to visit Grace every other weekend or two. Grace visited him when she was in Chicago to see her Grandparents and cousins. Their quick phone calls turned into long phone calls, which turned into hours-long face time sessions every day. Two and half months rolled by and Rob asked Grace to be his girlfriend on December 16.

In February, Rob’s company sent him to Lexington for 4 straight weeks! Grace was in heaven, while Rob was in an extended stay hotel. As time went on and summer started, Grace found out that her Physical Therapy rotation would bring her to Chicago for 12 weeks, starting in September!

Grace’s last weekend in Chicago came too quickly. But Rob made sure it would be a weekend to remember forever together. Rob and his family planned to take her out to dinner to celebrate. Rob asked Grace if she wanted to stop by to see Techny Chapel on the way to dinner. We prayed in the chapel and then Rob turned to bring Grace over to the grotto on campus. There, Rob dropped on one knee to ask Grace to marry him. Grace was in tears, but the fun would not stop: The security guard on campus was hollering at them to leave the vicinity as soon as possible or else they would be arrested. Grace and Rob drove to meet Rob’s parents for dinner at the Glen Club. Little did Grace know that the Daly family, Rob’s family, and their friends were all waiting to celebrate the engagement!