Sarah and Josef are firm believers that the Lord is the Divine Author of the greatest love story ever told – Through each chapter in the Bible, God romances the reader in a timeless love letter that tells of His relentless pursuit of the human heart. Sarah and Josef also firmly believe that the Lord has, and still is, writing their own love story. Since the beginning, He has been intentionally teaching them how to better love one another and molding their hearts in preparation for marriage. Read along their love story below:

“In the beginning…” Sarah had a good friend, Bible study leader, and discipler named Maureen who one day told her that she should befriend a guy named Josef Stooks. She pulled up his Facebook profile and simply said, “He’s one of the ROTC guys. The next time you see someone walking around Hurley in uniform, it’s probably him.”

Around the same time, one of Josef’s buddies (who also was his Bible study leader and discipler) named Matthew encouraged him to meet a girl named Sarah. He said something along the lines of, “Brother! You’ve got to meet Sarah. She is a queen. She has literally read the whole Bible and Catechism.”

Sure enough, Sarah soon saw a man in a camo uniform in the Catholic Gators Hurley Student Center. She walked right up and said, “Are you Josef Stooks? Maureen Mooney said I should be your friend!”

They talked briefly before they had to go their separate ways. Both of their schedules were pretty opposite that school year, and they didn’t see each other too much after that initial hello. That is, until the summer of 2021 came about.

In the summer of 2021, Sarah and Josef were blessed enough to be Life Teen missionaries at Camp Covecrest! Both Sarah and Josef attended Covecrest as campers in high school at separate points, and they each had extremely transformative experiences where they encountered the Lord and began to truly love, know, and serve Him. Both of them agreed that it was a full-circle moment to be back at that camp on staff.

One week during that summer, many of the missionaries who were Florida-natives got assigned to serve a parish from St. Augustine, FL. Sarah, Josef, and Mary Kate (bridesmaid), were the University of Florida Catholic Gators crew who were serving the parish of Santa Maria Del Mar. If you ask Sarah and Josef, they would say that this was the week where they truly became friends. They bonded over an inside joke on the pronunciation of “Theotokos” which was the name of one of the cabins. Theotokos is a Greek Marian title that translates to Mother of God, or God-Bearer. So if you think about it, Mama Mary (and niche Catholic humor) really brought the two of them together ;) Their friendship continued to grow while at camp. Once they both returned to UF in the fall, they continued to spend more time together and eventually realized that this could be more than just a friendship…

On October 3, 2021, Josef and Sarah went to Sunday Mass together. Funnily enough, this particular Sunday had readings that are common choices for readings for the Sacrament of Marraige. On that day, these words from Genesis Chapter 2 were spoken over the congregation: “Adam said ‘This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called 'woman,' for out of 'her man’ this one has been taken.’ That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh.” If that wasn’t somehow clear enough, the Gospel reading from Mark Chapter 10 really drove it home: “But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” Some might say it is just mere coincdience, but if you read the Bible you know that God is a big fan of foreshadowing.

That day after that Mass, Josef drove Sarah home to her apartment. He parked, looked her in the eyes and said nervous yet excitedly, “Can I ask you something?” Sarah nodded, then he said, “Can I take you on a date? I really, really like you and would love to take you on a date.” Sarah happily said yes, and had a week to Facetime her sisters and consult her friends on what outfit she should wear.

Josef had carefully planned every aspect of their first date. He came to Sarah’s door (even secretly asking one of her roommates to let him in the apartment building so that he could do so) and had her favorite flowers - pink roses - in hand. He opened her car door and drove off to Momoyaki for dinner. They spent hours talking and eating yummy Korean food. Next, they went to Sweet Berries, a Gainesville staple, for the best ice cream custard in town. After dessert, they went for a drive and ended the night on top of the parking garage where Josef surprised Sarah having learned a ballroom waltz from YouTube. (She had previously mentioned how training in ballet gave her an appreciation for ballroom dance, and how she would love to learn!) While they weren’t exactly experts, Sarah loved the effort that he had put in to learn. Sarah still got swept off her feet, though, because Josef has an impressive repertoire of swing dancing tricks that he taught Sarah. The night ended with Josef walking Sarah to her door, asking for a second date, and kissing her on the cheek. It was a very sweet start to forever!

On their second date, Josef took Sarah to Depot Park for a picnic brunch. After snacking on croissants, fruit, and even sweet potato pie (Sarah’s all-time favorite fall treat), they went to the Butterfly Rainforest and Florida Museum of Natural History. It was in the butterfly garden where Josef asked Sarah to be his girlfriend. It was an easy yes, surrounded by beautiful, living symbols representing the transition into a new phase of life together.

That same day, Josef and Sarah went to St. Augustine, FL, to lead a retreat for Santa Maria Del Mar (remember that parish from earlier?). One of Josef’s small group teens was receiving his Sacraments of Initiation, and Josef even got to be his Sponsor for having played a pivotal role in his conversion! That weekend also marked the papal canonical crowning of the Our Lady of La Leche image in the Cathedral-Basilica. There was just so much to celebrate and praise God for! The Marian parish that brought them together as friends now brought them even closer as boyfriend and girlfriend.

Sarah and Josef ventured on the trip of a lifetime on a Mediterranean cruise as a generous graduation gift from Sarah’s parents. The trip began in Rome, Italy, and it was the obvious choice for the perfect proposal! Josef had organized a private Mass in ​​The Basilica of Saint Mary Major, or church of Santa Maria Maggiore. This stunning church is one of the four Major Papal Basilicas as well as one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome and the largest Catholic Marian church in Rome! As soon as they walked in, Josef took Sarah to the middle of the central nave under the golden ceiling, declared his love for her in a sweet speech, got down on one knee, and asked for her hand in marriage. Sarah excitedly said, “Yes! Of course!”

They then explored the beauty, grandeur, and holiness of the basilica in awe that they’re actually engaged! Finally, they entered into the side chapel where they had a special Mass with a blessing of the engagement. It was the perfect way to begin a season of preparation for their vocation; Centering it around Christ, their First Love.

Our love story isn’t done being written. In fact, it’s just the beginning. Please pray for us as we continue to prepare for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

Our Lady, Theotokos, Pray for us!

St. Padre Pio, Pray for us!

St. Albert the Great, Pray for us!

Sacred Heart of Jesus, We trust in You!