It was my very first day of my very first job, and I was in Kansas City for training. Toward the end of the day, my boss Nick asked me to come with him to drop off paperwork to his brother-in-law Vince, who co-founded Salus with Nick. We walked downstairs to Vince’s office, and I remember everything about that moment, his voice, his smile, his Notre Dame diploma on the wall, and the fact that he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. I was so struck by meeting him that I called my mom from the bathroom right afterward just to tell her about him.

Later that week, the night before I flew back home, we had a team dinner. I sat down at the table, two seats open beside me, and the next thing I knew, Vince was sitting right next to me. We talked the entire dinner, effortlessly, naturally, like nobody else in the room even existed. When I flew back to Texas, I tried to push it out of my mind. There was no way it would work.

Fast forward a couple of weeks, and Vince flew down to DFW with Nick to spend time with the Texas team. One of those days, he rode along with me. We spent the entire day together, and the conversation never slowed. I learned his story, his values, his aspirations, what he believed in, and what mattered most to him. I learned he was a devout Catholic and how deeply he loves his faith and family. I learned how much we had in common and how much I was drawn to him.

When I dropped him off to head to the airport, I had to shake those feelings off all over again. I kept thinking, I wish this could somehow work. I wish there was a way… but there’s no chance.

And then, before bed that night, I plugged in my work phone and saw a text from Vince. I smiled immediately. I responded. And before I even had time to fully process it, he was booking a flight to be my partner for my friend’s annual Beer Olympics.

Since that day, my feelings and convictions for Vincent have only grown deeper and stronger. He is patient, encouraging, loving, thoughtful, wise, and he never fails to make me smile. He is everything I prayed for in a husband and more.

From the very beginning, I knew he was different. I cannot wait to marry him.

I love you, Vincent.

As I waited in the lobby of the DoubleTree hotel, all I could think was that I needed to stop thinking about the person about to pick me up. There was no way it would work out. And there was definitely no way she was single.

But that’s what happens when life is about to surprise you.

I had only met Mary Catherine once before, when she came to Kansas City for training for her new job at Salus. We had a team dinner at Jack Stack, and we ended up sitting next to each other. Nobody else at that table existed for me that night. We talked the whole time, and I remember thinking she had the prettiest smile and the kind of personality you don’t forget.

Fast forward a few weeks, and it was my turn to travel to Fort Worth to work with the Texas team. One of those days, I rode along with Mary Catherine to learn the ropes of the sales process. Instead of talking about work for the eight hours we spent together, we talked about everything else: families, childhood stories, life goals, what we believed in, what shaped us.

I couldn’t believe how similar we were, our upbringings, our personalities, and most importantly, our values. I learned she was a devout Catholic, loved Trump, and loved football. What more could I ask for?

When that day ended, I knew I had two choices: ignore what I was feeling… or find the courage to send a text. And I thank God every day I sent that text.

Not long after, Mary Catherine invited me to her Beer Olympics. I did my best to hold my own and bring some life to the team, but the real moment I knew I was falling in love with her, came that Sunday. We went to Mass together, watched football, and spent the entire day talking without a single pause or awkward second.

And from that day forward, I think we both knew where this was heading, toward a life built on faith, laughter, family, and the easiest love either of us had ever known.