It all started in August 2021 at the Catholic Campus Ministry at Northern Michigan University. Naseem and Lauren engaged in a conversation that only one of them remembers, not knowing this would be the first of many. They attended various campus ministry events like adoration, Mass, SEEK conferences, volleyball games, and four square. They bonded over the Cup Song, Michael Knowles, and a Five Nights at Freddy’s video that Lauren refuses to watch to this day.

It was a relatively normal friendship, until Naseem initiated epic thumb wars and locked Lauren in a bathroom from the outside (he insists it was flirtatious, she insists it was a little weird). Little did they know, a few weeks after these goofy romantic attempts, they would be going on their first date at the best bowling alley Marquette county has to offer.

Their relationship grew over many deep conversations, cringe murder mystery books, heated debates over the correct way to eat an oreo (this debate is still unresolved), and many games of chess. It wasn’t always easy, but through perseverance and the grace of God, they were able to come out of each challenging time stronger than before.

After attending the SEEK 2024 conference in St. Louis, Missouri, Lauren and Naseem began entertaining the idea of getting engaged. They quickly became eager to plan their life together, so Naseem drafted up a 10-month-long calendar highlighting some potential dates to eventually surprise Lauren. No one could guess that on October 22nd, the feast of Pope St. John Paul II, Naseem would lead Lauren on a hike, get down on one knee, and ask her if she would marry him.

Lauren said yes, and thus they began preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. They are excited to pursue their vocation and see the adventures the Lord takes them on together!