Our story began on September 11, 2019, at the Catholic Newman Center at the University of Houston. Both Nick and Viv, each searching for a deeper connection with God and a stronger foundation in their faith, decided to join a small group—an intimate gathering of 5 to 10 people who met weekly to discuss their spiritual lives. By a beautiful twist of fate, they were placed in the same group.

From the moment Nick walked into that first meeting, he couldn’t help but notice Viv. His best friend, Jonathan, who knew exactly what Nick was looking for in a girl, immediately sensed the connection as well. Before the meeting started, Jonathan pulled Nick aside and said, “Dude, do you see…?” But Nick, already feeling giddy, cut him off, “I know, dude.” Jonathan, with a knowing smile, insisted that Nick had to talk to her. However, it wasn’t until Viv spoke that everything truly clicked for Nick. He remembers, “When I heard Viv talk, it was like the rest of the world faded away. It was just her. I can’t explain it—everything just aligned in that moment, and I knew my vocation was sitting right in front of me”

The small group eventually ended, and life carried them in different directions. Time passed, and it wasn’t until February 2020 that their paths crossed again. Viv, reconnecting with old friends from the group, reached out to Nick to grab coffee. Nick, unsure of her intentions, couldn’t help but think about what this might mean. “When I got her message, I realized this wasn’t just a casual coffee between friends. It felt like a moment that could change everything. It was all or nothing.”

Nick eventually agreed to coffee and in the three hours they talked over coffee, something quietly began to blossom between them. They talked about their dreams, their faith, and what they wanted from life. Before they knew it, hours had passed, and the connection between them was undeniable. That day, a seed of love was planted, one that would only grow with time, drawing them closer together. From that moment forward, their hearts seemed destined to intertwine, bound by faith, and by a love that would deepen as their journey continued.