Hallie at Betty Beguiles is soliciting engagement stories.
This morning I dropped my DH off at the airport. He is, coincidentally, returning to the city where we were engaged, for the first time since we visited on our one-year anniversary, almost eleven years ago already.
Hubby and I had been friends for just over three years when he discerned his way out of the major seminary. We began dating in March of 1998. That September we left for Rome to help begin a new study abroad program for the University of Saint Thomas Center for Catholic Studies. (Little did I know what was hidden carefully in his pocket that long day of travel from the Twin Cities to Italy -- hint, hint, something expensive, round, and sparkly.)
On October 21, 1998, my twenty-third birthday, I found myself with my beloved at St. Peter's in Vatican City. He had intended to propose in the Blessed Sacrament chapel, but I was engrossed at the bookstore and the chapel was closed by the time we arrived. We went and sat by a fountain in Saint Peter's Square and he suggested we pray "our prayer" -- every night during our courtship, whether in one another's physical presence or on the phone, we prayed a prayer dedicating our courtship to Mary and asking her guidance and protection. Before we made the final sign of the cross, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I, of course, said yes. And then we kissed for the first time. All in the arms, literally, of Mother Church.
I thank God every day for the blessing my beloved continues to be to me. It's been a hard year, but he continues to put up with me, and I continue to admire his faithfulness, his perseverance, his dedication. I am so very proud of him. And blessed to share my life with him. Now and until death do us part.
(As an aside, my DH will be in Italy until July 1. He is traveling with 120 Catholic high school students from the Diocese of Bismarck on a study pilgrimage. May I ask you to keep said pilgrims in your prayers: that they may grow in their love and knowledge of their Catholic faith and that they may all return safely to their families? May I also ask you to pray for me, who will be starved for adult conversation for the next seventeen days!?! Thank you. End of aside.)
This morning I dropped my DH off at the airport. He is, coincidentally, returning to the city where we were engaged, for the first time since we visited on our one-year anniversary, almost eleven years ago already.
Hubby and I had been friends for just over three years when he discerned his way out of the major seminary. We began dating in March of 1998. That September we left for Rome to help begin a new study abroad program for the University of Saint Thomas Center for Catholic Studies. (Little did I know what was hidden carefully in his pocket that long day of travel from the Twin Cities to Italy -- hint, hint, something expensive, round, and sparkly.)
On October 21, 1998, my twenty-third birthday, I found myself with my beloved at St. Peter's in Vatican City. He had intended to propose in the Blessed Sacrament chapel, but I was engrossed at the bookstore and the chapel was closed by the time we arrived. We went and sat by a fountain in Saint Peter's Square and he suggested we pray "our prayer" -- every night during our courtship, whether in one another's physical presence or on the phone, we prayed a prayer dedicating our courtship to Mary and asking her guidance and protection. Before we made the final sign of the cross, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I, of course, said yes. And then we kissed for the first time. All in the arms, literally, of Mother Church.
I thank God every day for the blessing my beloved continues to be to me. It's been a hard year, but he continues to put up with me, and I continue to admire his faithfulness, his perseverance, his dedication. I am so very proud of him. And blessed to share my life with him. Now and until death do us part.
(As an aside, my DH will be in Italy until July 1. He is traveling with 120 Catholic high school students from the Diocese of Bismarck on a study pilgrimage. May I ask you to keep said pilgrims in your prayers: that they may grow in their love and knowledge of their Catholic faith and that they may all return safely to their families? May I also ask you to pray for me, who will be starved for adult conversation for the next seventeen days!?! Thank you. End of aside.)
What a beautiful story and such a sweet family you have!
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