Before Feliciti met Matthew, she discerned religious life, beginning at the age of 15. She felt called to join the cloistered Poor Clares in Alexandria, Virginia. After graduating high school, she applied, and entered in fall of 2019. Almost three years later, and following very intense formative discernment, Feliciti left the Monastery in August 2022. Feliciti knew the Lord would guide her each step of the way, and He did as He opened doors for her and she moved from the Sellers’ homestead in Tennessee back to Northern Virginia to pursue a small “v” vocation as a Montessori educator. In Falls Church Virginia, Feliciti moved into a house with 4 other young Catholic women across the street from St. Philip’s Catholic Church and down the street from the house of young men known as “The Tavern.” On March 25, the feast of the Annunciation, she attended her first Tavern event, a celebration of the Solemnity.

As Matthew was growing up in New Jersey, marriage wasn't very much on his mind. His vocation of choice was the American Presidency. Sometime in high school, he decided the presidency was not for him (but kept, to this day, an interest in politics) and he enrolled at *The* Catholic University of America to study Politics. While in college, and a few years thereafter, Matthew seriously discerned a religious vocation with the Capuchins and then the Washington DC Seminary.

In 2020, Matthew discerned away from a religious vocation, and moved to The Tavern, which would become the center of his social life for the next 5 years. As life opened up after COVID, Matthew began planning and hosting many events. And one day Feliciti arrived.

That was the first time Matt and Feliciti met . . . and Feliciti kept coming! She became a regular attendee at the weekly gathering called “Dog Day”. Eventually Matthew realized he had no good reasons not to ask Feliciti out (after we discussed both strongly preferring waiting until the very end of Advent to decorate for Christmas. Christmas begins at sundown on December 24th!). After Mass on Sunday, September 3rd, 2023 Matt waited for Feliciti to finish her sacristan duties. Feliciti, upon spotting Matt waiting for her, knew what was about to happen. In response to Matt asking “to go on a date with me” (he said “date”!!!), Feliciti responded with a “sure”. (a real confidence booster).

Our first date was that Thursday, September 7th at an Irish pub, the Auld Shebeen. 45 minutes into the date, they were both flabbergasted when 4 of our friends (who were unaware of Matthew’s intentions) walked into the restaurant to be seated next to Feliciti and Matt for a double date. They quickly asked to be seated elsewhere (thank you Joe!). God definitely was in control here, as the awkward situation helped break the ice for Feliciti and Matt, resulting in a much better date.

One of the first things we did after starting to date was pretend to get into a fight as bit. Our friends were very concerned, but Feliciti and Matt were extremely amused. We enjoyed dates at the National Gallery of Art, Celtic Thunder, Swing Dance. Feliciti let Matt drag her to the movies (even bad ones). Almost immediately we both knew we were going to get married. We visited New Jersey to meet the Langs, and Tennessee to meet the Sellers and it became clear to us we would soon be engaged. It was time for us to take that leap of faith and surrender to the unknown future God had placed before us.

Before proceeding, both agreed to attend silent retreats, but Matthew was already scheming. Matthew began planning the proposal in January. Knowing that Feliciti has a very sensitive radar for surprises, he collaborated with all of our friends to co-opt an existing girl night for the proposal. After weeks of planning and stress, Matthew got down on one knee on April 5, 2024 outside St. Leo’s, under the loving gaze of the Blessed Mother. Then we went to celebrate at the location of our first date, The Auld Shebeen; this time with many friends waiting to celebrate with us!