“We started with an adventure.”

On Ascension Thursday in 2021, Michaela and Dominick met at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel after a young adult Mass. Michaela was leading music ministry, and Dominick was altar serving. Afterwards, while singing acoustic versions of Shrek songs around the fire, the two discovered a mutual love for adventure and a thrill for discovering new places. Dominick did not hesitate to invite Michaela hiking early the following week. And so, their first date went down in history on May 17, 2021, at Mount Beacon in Beacon, New York.

After a long day, an impromptu game of pick-up basketball, and a late-night drive singing folk music, the two ended their first date with a dance, barefoot in a dirt parking lot at the base of a mountain, under the stars.

There is a comical debate as to whether this was indeed their first date, or if the real first date was later that week on a picnic at Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, New York. Here, Dominick asked Michaela to hold hands for the first time, and he told her she had pretty eyes as they enjoyed a view of the Hudson River.

They courted each other for about one month, enjoying evenings on the town, hikes, walks through parks, and picnics. Every date started with prayer, whether it be the Rosary, Adoration, Mass, or sitting silently in a Church, praying together. They coined their motto, "Start with prayer, enjoy together, end with a dance."

Certainly, on every date, they did just that! Tuesday's became their special day, and bagels, one of their favorite picnic snacks. Montgomery, New York, quickly stole their hearts, as it became one of the couple's favorite "cute, little towns" in their home of the Hudson Valley.

On June 4, 2021, Michaela and Dominick made it official after Michaela made Dominick a special s'more while on a retreat in Cold Spring, New York.

"He had locked himself out of his car, but he needed to leave for his over-night shift. I felt bad! We were sitting with our friends by a bonfire, so I made him a s'more with an extra treat - a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. I wanted to cheer him up while he waited for rescue!"

After realizing the s'more was for him, Dominick, a bit flustered, looked to Michaela and asked, "Will you be my girlfriend?"

Michaela, who had long awaited this question, said yes. Later that night, they danced barefoot in the basement of an old brick Church and exchanged their first kiss.

At the end of that summer, Michaela brought Dominick to the Saint Lawrence River for the first time. After a kayaking excursion to a small island, where the young duo watched the sunrise over the eastern horizon, Dominick and Michaela danced barefoot once again on her family's dock amid the dawn's mist and early-autumn glow of sunlight.

"Hey, Michaela?"

"Yes, Dominick?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Off sailed the ships!

Shortly after the pair started dating, Michaela moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she lived and worked for about a year and a half. Dominick himself changed jobs, but remained in New York. The two spent nineteen months of the first two years of their relationship apart.

Long distance was not without challenges, but the two were determined to pursue their relationship further. They believed the distance was just another part of the plan God had set before them.

It was then that Michaela and Dominick learned to overcome difficulties together. They discovered the importance of relying on the Lord, even when they could not rely on each other. Routines became a bit more rigorous, and sacrifices were made. Budgeting was strict in order to afford visits, and time together was often limited or interrupted by life's events. Despite all of the trials, the two only grew in love for each other.

It was Michaela and Dominick's resilience and the ever-growing strength of their relationship that brought to light a deeper desire - the desire to love each other differently and to do so for the rest of their lives.

"Being here, traveling with you for the first time, has made me realize that I never want to travel without you ever again."

Michaela took longer than Dominick to be certain of marriage. Dominick was ever patient and gentle as she discovered the movements of her heart in her own way. What set Michaela's heart in stone was, most notably, a trip to Italy!

The wanderers embarked on a pilgrimage to Italy in October, 2022. Everyone thought Dominick would propose to Michaela in Italy, including Michaela herself. She was wrought with nervousness and uncertainty, but enthusiasm nonetheless.

During their return home to the United States, Michaela and Dominick stopped in Iceland. Looking out at the coast, Michaela admitted, "It was taking off from Rome, with no ring on my finger, that I realized how much I truly wanted you to propose to me."

Dominick immediately began his long-anticipated search for the perfect ring.

It was the day before their second anniversary. Dominick had spent some time in Chicago with Michaela, and the two made a road trip home. They both surprised each other with an anniversary date. Dominick's date entailed hiking to Verkeederkill Falls in the Sam's Point Preserve of the Shawangunk Mountains.

As with every date, they "started with prayer, enjoyed together, and ended with a dance." They prayed the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary together, and as if they both knew the joy awaiting them, they beamed with excitement.

Giggling and reminiscing, talking loudly as though the world disappeared, they made their trek through the woods, along the trails, to the top of Verkeederkill Falls, the third tallest waterfall in New York. As they enjoyed the view, Michaela prepared herself for the question, but it didn't come!

Dominick encouraged her to explore further and insisted the question wasn't coming that day. This set his now-fiancée up for a wonderful surprise! When they reached the bottom of the falls, Michaela climbed a rock and reached her hands out to the water. Ferns and fog made a natural, romantic atmosphere. Dominick joined Michaela on the rock, and reaching out to the water, he took her hand, turned her towards him, and bent to one knee.

"Michaela, will you marry me?"

Tears! Laughter! "Oh, Dominick! Yes!"

She had made him promise to wait two years before asking her to marry him. Being the day before their second anniversary, he teased her saying, "I'm sorry. I just couldn't make it two years."

In the privacy of the cliffs and the gushing falls, Michaela and Dominick got engaged - the start of another adventure!

Now, Michaela and Dominick undertake the great task of planning their wedding - from over 6,000 miles apart. Dominick is pursuing a degree in environmental biology at the University of Hawai'i, Manoa, in Honolulu, Hawai'i. Michaela recently graduated with a Master of Arts in Musical Theatre Performance from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Please, pray for them in this time of discernment, and know that they are always praying for each of you!

The two are united first and foremost in prayer, as well as in their resilient love for each other. Continue to pray for them, as they continue their journey towards marriage.