Brian and Melissa met in college at The University of Mary Washington. They became best friends, or "bros" as they called it. As Brian started to fall for Melissa, that put him in quite the pickle. After asking Melissa out three times over the course of two years, Melissa finally said yes and they went on their first date in Spring 2013. They continued to date through the summer. Melissa went on a pilgrimage in Spain and returned at the end of July. On August 11, the feast day of Saints Clare and Philomena, Brian asked Melissa if they could "redefine the nature of our association." She said yes and became his girlfriend just about a week before he flew off to spend a year serving Christ in the Holy Land! While Brian was in the Holy Land, Melissa graduated from UMW and decided to move to Phoenix to serve Christ through ministering to homeless pregnant and parenting women at Maggie's Place. Brian moved to Phoenix about a month after Melissa did, and the two spent time discerning marriage and growing in their relationship before...

Brian and Melissa spent a day in Chicago during the Summer of 2015 before heading Up North for the 4th of July with his family. Melissa thought they were just enjoying a boat ride with Brian's Uncle Chris, but unbeknownst to her, larger plans were afoot. When the boat was in front of Buckingham Fountain at Queen's Landing, Uncle Chris suggested Brian and Melissa go down to the bow for pictures. Again, Melissa thought they were just taking a picture! The next thing she knew, Brian was down on one knee and asked her "Will you marry me?" She said yes! People on the shore started cheering!