Being from South Louisiana, we have always loved telling stories. It’s in our blood. With flailing hands and voices that rise and fall, we can’t help but relive the day's events or recall “that one time…” But over the years, I’ve made a quiet observation. I think our love of plots and scripts is more than just a knack for narration; telling stories is about being with people. We simply cannot refuse the opportunity to bring people with us. We are a people who have grown fond of the idea of togetherness.

I find that to be terribly beautiful; for togetherness is but a reflection of the One and Triune God. You see this to be true in Genesis when “God created mankind in his own image.” Genesis 1:27. I believe it was a desire for togetherness with me and with God that resulted in Dylan caring very little about where I had been or what I had done prior to relationship with him. He has always been solely concerned with where I am going, and that is Heaven; he is certain of it. We have failed to love one another and God perfectly, but are here to testify that patient, persistent, merciful love has changed the trajectory of our lives.

Ten years have come and gone since Dylan first committed to seeing my sainthood, a task that, I’m sure, has proven more difficult than he ever imagined. We were engaged to be married in the summer and have done quite a bit of reflecting over the last several months. We have found that God has done a mighty work in our lives and that our story is one of reconciliation, redemption, and resurrection. While there are still parts of our hearts that are in need of healing, we are more confident than ever that those too will be restored. This is all because we have come to truly believe the words of Jesus's beloved disciple, “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

He makes all things new and it is for that reason that we have chosen to be married in the Easter season. It seemed as if there was no better time than Divine Mercy Weekend because we have tasted and seen the goodness of the Lord. We know that the Lordship of Jesus over our lives has been the greatest mercy and we wish to celebrate that throughout the entirety of our marriage, beginning with Day One.

Because Dylan and I will be getting married in the tenth year of knowing one another, we thought that we’d take this opportunity to ask our closest friends and family (and whoever else may be reading this) to step into intercession with us and for us by taking a moment to pray a decade of the Most Holy Rosary.

Because of our lived experience in relationship with one another and God, we believe with unwavering hope that whatever is to come will be far better than what we have known or could dream. “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

If you are saddened by the lack of details found in the previous account, do reach out… because we are always looking for an excuse to cook a gumbo and tell a story.

All of our love,

The soon-to-be Mr. & Mrs. Perry

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