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Mary Clare & Michael
Saturday, June 13, 2026 • Kansas City, MO
23 Days To Go!
Mary Clare & Michael
Saturday, June 13, 2026 • Kansas City, MO
23 Days To Go!
Our Story
Our Story
I noticed him first, early in my freshman year. His confidence really caught my attention, then my curiosity and his charm drew me in. I didn't approach him, however, because of my timidity.
After Christmas break, I resolved to get to know him. To my luck, he began spending more time at the coffee shop in the student center, instead of in his dorm. I strategically placed myself near him in the evenings when we were both studying, and asked for his help if I needed it. Soon, we were study buddies.
At the end of February, he surprised me by asking me out. I was not really surprised that he asked me, per se, but at the timing. I had expected it to be another week or two before he asked. Despite that, I said yes, we exchanged numbers, then we went out, at the beginning of March.
He took me to a small town nearby, where we walked around. I went window shopping for the first time, and we popped into a few stores. Then, we went to the Poet's Seat Tower, where we climbed as high as we could to enjoy the view. We talked for a while until we got cold, then we returned to campus.
After our first date, I asked him to wait the rest of the school year and the summer before we began dating. He patiently and respectfully consented, much to his credit and my satisfaction. We continued to study together in the evenings, sometimes taking breaks to play pool. Each evening ended with him walking me back to my dorm before he went to his own.
May 20, 2023
Our first picture together, taken during commencement, as a memento for the summer, before parting ways for three months.
September 02, 2023
One week into officially dating, after making him wait the summer and then have a conversation with my dad, he turned an errand into a date.
October 19, 2023
Returned to Poets Seat Tower, after a couple months of dating, right as the leaves were beginning to change. This time, we were able to climb to the very top of the tower and enjoy the expansive view of the surrounding mountains, with their scattered autumnal colors.
November 04, 2023
My mom visited me and met Michael. She took this photo of us at the airport, before she left.
November 21, 2023
I crocheted and took a much needed break from the class, while spent the evening with Michael.
November 21, 2023
Michael was goofing off with the rug square I was crocheting, to make me laugh, which he did.
November 24, 2023
Christmas tree shopping with Michael and his family the day after Thanksgiving. I was blessed to be able to join them for the holiday.
May 18, 2024
By this point, Michael has met my dad and turned 21.
May 19, 2024
I stayed with Michael and his family briefly at the beginning of the summer, before heading home.
July 14, 2024
Michael came to visit my family in Kansas City, and I showed him a little bit of the City of Fountains, including the church we'll be married at. He got to meet almost all my siblings and extended family.
October 11, 2024
A friend snapped this photo while we were enjoying a soccer game, after cider and donuts. Michael was taking a break from working on his thesis and thirteen law school applications, which he completed before Thanksgiving.
November 15, 2024
On a plane home, with Michael, where he asked for and received my dad's permission.
December 07, 2024
Putting in an appearance at the Christmas Dance.
February 22, 2025
We got engaged! I knew the proposal was coming because he didn't try very hard to hide it from me.
When the day came, he picked me up behind the dorm, then we drove a few minutes from campus to a small trail through the woods. After a brief hike along the trail into a secluded area with no houses or rooftops in sight, he got down on one knee and proposed. I said yes, he put the ring on my finger, and it fit perfectly.
After a couple pictures to send to people to announce it, we hiked back to the car then went to a steakhouse nearby for a celebratory lunch. That evening, the girls threw a party for me in celebration while Michael and his guys went out for drinks, also in celebration.
April 23, 2025
On Easter Wednesday, with a few friends in attendance, Michael and I were betrothed by the head chaplain of Thomas Aquinas College. His roommate, the head-prefect, and one of my close friends served as the witnesses.
(A betrothal is an solemn promise, made, signed, and witnessed before the Church and God, to marry each other which cannot be rescinded except with the approval of the bishop and the consensus of the two witnesses. The promise is preceded by a blessing of the engagement ring and followed by a blessing of the couple.)
April 29, 2025
One of my classmates took our engagement photos.
April 29, 2025
We had fun with one of the buildings on campus, for our pictures.
May 24, 2025
Almost exactly three months after our betrothal, Michael graduated from Thomas Aquinas College. His family, extended family, and grandparents attended his graduation, as well as my parents. I am so proud of him and his accomplishments at TAC, including his extremely well written and defended thesis.
During the time until the wedding, Michael will complete his first year of Law School at Fordham University. And, I will (God willing) complete my senior year at TAC, write and defend a thesis, plan and prepare for the wedding with my mom’s help, and graduate a couple weeks before getting married.
