In February 2024, Isabel was home sick with Covid and desperately bored. In a fit of whimsy, she Facetimed her friend, Laura, and they built her Hinge profile. With the help of screen sharing, Laura and Isabel swiped through every single man in the Twin Cities. Isabel only described one of all those boys as handsome in her group chat. He asked her to coffee on March 24, 2024.

When Michael walked up to Ginkgo Coffee that afternoon, shaking snowflakes off his coat, he had no idea the adventure that was about to unfold. What he did notice was that Isabel ordered a hot chocolate, just like he did, and that she was wildly impressed by his dog sledding story. Isabel had been nervous to venture out in the snowstorm that afternoon, and she was still very nervous once the date concluded--she knew she liked Michael, but wasn't quite sure how he felt!

Two weeks later, Michael met the other man in Isabel's life--Fred the pug mix. Fred, Michael, and Isabel looped around Como Park in the drizzly spring rain. Isabel was sure this was their final date because Michael was so quiet; she still couldn't tell if he liked her. Meanwhile, Michael was trying to brainstorm how to kiss a girl in a ball cap.

A simple coffee date turned into hours spent exploring state parks, snuggles with Fred on lazy Saturday afternoons, countless vegetarian recipes, and many Sunday morning Masses and breakfasts with Gramps. Many afternoons and car rides were spent with our “wheels” of hot topics (and prizes for completing each hard conversation!). When Michael asked Isabel the second to last question on his wheel, walking with Fred at Mounds Park, Isabel begged him to ask her his very last question. Just by chance, the last question was about when they should get engaged! Michael admitted he’d already been looking at rings, and Isabel was overwhelmed with happiness and peace.

On October 22, 2025, Michael surprised Isabel by proposing in Como Park. He'd thrown Isabel off the scent by assuring her he hadn't even bought a ring. As they walked through the park, they came to an overlook. Swan boats bobbed in the lake, and, in an instant, the world stopped around them. The cloudy, cold day transformed into beautiful autumn sunshine. Michael explained he'd been reading Scripture, and a verse had reminded him of Isabel. He began reciting Phil. 1:3-9, knelt down, and offered Isabel the most beautiful ring in the world. Michaels cousin, Rebecca, poked out of the trees to snap photos, and Isabel couldn't believe her eyes. Are you sure? she asked, as Michael wiped away his own tears. Yes, Michael smiled. Isabel gave her own yes (of course!), and they enjoyed a magical evening at St. Paul Brewing with friends and family.

Michael and Isabel are so grateful for the kindness and joy of their friends and family as they prepare for their wedding, and cannot wait to celebrate with everyone. They would be so grateful for your prayers for their marriage, especially asking for the intercession of Saints Louis and Zelie.

"I give thanks to my God every time I think of you. I always pray for you, interceding for you with joy because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this: that the one who began a good work in you will bring it to completion on the day of Christ Jesus. It is only right for me to feel this way toward you, because I hold you in my heart, for you have all shared with me in God’s grace, both during my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. Indeed, God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And for this I pray: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and full insight"