| Michael
& Carol: Racquetball & Romance |
| Chapter
1: Romance Bloomed Over Racquetball |
| After a month of emailing and various attempts at meeting I finally agreed to meet Mike for dinner. As I was driving to the restaurant I remember thinking, "OK God, this is in your hands." We had a nice dinner and talked for a few hours. Our second date was playing racquetball. We had a great time and both remember thinking how comfortable we felt with each other. It was like we were playing with a friend. We went for lunch afterwards and got to know each other a little more. Later when we look back at that date, we realize how much we began to notice each other. Our third date was one of my favorites. We went to a Catholic convalescent home for Mass and volunteered to serve lunch to the residents. Afterwards we went to the beach, which would become a common place for us to end up. Mike loves to walk along the beach and as we have spent hours walking or sitting on the shore, it has become one of my favorite places to go with him.
Carol |
| Chapter
2: The Lost Month |
| Just as Mike and I were beginning to get comfortable with each other Mike got sick. He came down with a low fever and congestion which hung on for 3 weeks. We would talk on the phone every couple of days, and as each weekend came around we both hoped he would be feeling better. Finally after the 4th week he felt well enough to meet. We met on a Sunday and went to Mass together. After lunch with some of his friends we visited a few Catholic churches in his area, admiring the art work and stained-glass windows, and the variety of Eucharistic Adoration chapels. We spent the rest of the day together, eventually ending up by the beach. We had picked up where we had left off and were happy to see each other again.
Carol |
| Chapter
3: The Many Adventures of Mike & Carol, pt. 1 |
 |
| enjoying our time in nature...and falling in love |
We began getting together every weekend. We both love the outdoors. I would often go to work Monday morning sore from the hiking, biking, racquetball, etc, we had done on the weekend. Being a teacher I had a week off of work after Easter, so Mike took off work too so we could spend more time together. We would talk on the phone every night and also began to pray together. Praying together is my favorite time of day. We thank God for all His blessings and pray for those in need. Most importantly, we thank God for each other and how happy we are to have found someone to pray with.
Carol |
| Chapter
4: Meeting the Family |
 |
| We parked our canoe on the other side of Gull lake and did a little hiking and enjoying the wonderful views |
My family takes a trip to the mountains to go fishing every June. When Mike found out we were going, he took the week off of work so he could come up to the lake and "maybe stop by and say hi, see how I was doing." After praying about it and talking to my family, I decided to see if Mike wanted to come up for the week. After praying about it and thinking it over, Mike decided to go. During the week we went fishing, hiking, and canoeing. We even spent a day in Yosemite. Things seemed to be going great and my family liked him a lot. They were impressed by his calm manner, easy-going personality, and caring nature. Then the flu hit. I became very ill one night (following my nephew). The next day I spent on the couch watching movies and sleeping. Mike didn't feel well either and spent the day resting and eating very little. This was the first time I had ever been sick on vacation! What could have been a disaster turned into a blessing. We got to keep each other company and help take care of each other. We enjoyed just being around each other and fell more in love each day. As the week came to an end Mike and I realized how much we enjoyed each other's company. We began to notice how caring we were toward each other and how well we worked together.
Carol |
| Chapter
5: The Many Adventures of Mike & Carol, pt.2 |
 |
| Mike looking at a huge fallen Sequoia tree in Yosemite valley |
It was summer and I was on vacation! Knowing this would be the case, Mike took more time off work so we could do things together. One of the things we decided to do was to see a few of the California Missions. We spent one day in San Diego, and another traveling to Santa Barbara and Solvang. We watched a meteor shower, went swimming, hiking, played tennis and basketball, and just relaxed. We made the most of our time off work and fell more in love with each other each day. As we drove to our various locations we would spend our time talking about our faith, our thoughts on the future and family. As we talked and shared we found our views and wishes to be the same.
Carol |
| Chapter
6: Six happy months together! |
 |
| Carol and I hiked the trail at Temescal Canyon Park in August. It was fun and we had beautiful views to enjoy. |
I am writing Chapter 5 on August 25, 2008. Carol and I have now been dating for six months. Our love is growing and deepening each day. We are very happy together and we truly love each other. We look out for each other's well being and happiness. We enjoy all of our time together. Recently we went to Corona Del Mar beach in Orange County for a wonderful afternoon. We also are attending catholic events and have been regularly attending Sunday mass together. In early August we volunteered at the National Catholic Family Conference. We also attended some holy hours of eucharistic adoration together while at the conference. Now that we are both back at work we are back to seeing each other again on the weekends and occasional weeknights. We pray together over the phone each evening. We know that we have both placed God first in our lives. We believe that this helps us to love each other well since all love and all good things (blessings) come from God. August 2008 was a very special month for us.
Mike |
| Chapter
7: prayer & growth |
| We couldn't believe it when the end of October came around and we realized we have been together for eight months. We feel so blessed by how well our relationship has grown. We are so at peace with each other and continue to be surprised by how much we have in common. People often ask us what adventures we are up to now. We continue to go to Mass together almost every Sunday and are there to support each other in other church related activities. Michael amazes me each day. I look forward to talking and praying with him each night. We believe that this has truly strengthened our relationship and given it a true foundation.
Carol |
| Chapter
8: Nine months! Celebrating with shrimp... |
 |
| Carol and I at Mission San Buenaventura |
As of today, November 24th, it has been nine wonderful months! Carol and I spent the past weekend doing a lot of fun activities. We went bowling with Carol's young adult group on Friday. On Saturday we spent some time visiting and having lunch with a friend of mine. On Sunday we went to mass together in the morning. After mass we had a special lunch as we went out for a wonderful meal at Benihana restaurant where Carol enjoyed the extra large helping of shrimp! In the afternoon we explored a local marsh area and nature center. It was fun walking around through paths cut into the reeds. Some of the reeds were as tall as twenty feet! We also saw quite a few birds along the way. In the evening we did some window shopping at the mall. It was a wonderful time together as always. As we reflect on our nine months together we are very happy that we love each other so much. God has truly blessed us.
Mike |
| Chapter
9: A VERY MARRY CHRISTMAS |
| After courting for 10 months, Michael and I got engaged Christmas morning! Our plans were to go to dinner, then attend midnight Mass at my parish. On the way to see me, Mike stopped by my parents' house to ask them for their blessing. He got stuck in terrible traffic, but eventually made it. He got to my place around 6 p.m. (much later than he expected). We had a wonderful dinner at a romantic Italian restaurant. We then went back to my house to rest (Mike was recovering from a cold) and to watch a Christmas movie. After the movie we exchanged Christmas presents, then went to church. This was Mike's first time going to midnight Mass. It was a beautiful experience, especially since attending Mass is one of our favorite things to do together. After Mass we went to pray before the tabernacle (per Mike's request). There were a few people exchanging Christmas wishes, and the pastor came up to wish us a Merry Christmas, after which we decided to go pray in the Adoration Chapel. We prayed together for about 10 minutes; both praying for guidance and thanksgiving for the many blessings we received the past year. We then went back to my place (now 2 a.m.) and talked a little. After a brief exchange, Mike told me he had another Christmas present for me. He took out a box, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! It was his intention to propose in the church or chapel, but there were too many people around after Mass. So after attending Christmas Mass together and praying before the Blessed Sacrament together, he decided the privacy of my home to be the best place. We are both extremely happy and have enjoyed sharing the news with our family and friends. The rest of Christmas Day was full of joyful congratulations and excited feelings.
Carol |
| Chapter
10: Christmas 2008 - We are engaged! |
 |
| Christmas 2008 - happily engaged! |
Carol and I were engaged on Christmas morning and we are so happy! I suprised Carol with a special Christmas gift (an engagement ring) after spending a wonderful midnight mass together. I am so happy and feel so blessed that a woman as wonderful as Carol is my fiancee. We spent Christmas day with her family and shared our joy.
Mike |
| Chapter
11: A Wonderful Day |
 |
| Our wedding day - August 1, 2009! |
We Did It! Our Wedding Day was a Wonderful Day! Mike and I met for breakfast, then I was off to get ready. We were at the church by 1:00 p.m. for pictures. Our Nuptial Mass began on time, at 2:00 p.m. It was an amazing feeling walking down the isle to the most wonderful man I've ever met. It was a beautiful ceremony with a little over 100 guests of close friends and family. Afterwards we took pictures then were off to our reception. We went to Ireland for our two week honeymoon. I thank God every day for bringing Mike into my life. We pray together each night for God's guidance and peace.
Carol |
| Chapter
12: Keeping God first in our lives |
 |
| Carol and I in Ireland |
Carol and I have now been married over a month. We have a very happy marriage because both of us have God as the most important part of our lives. We both treat each other with much love (agape type of love) and respect. We have good communication and we pray together every day. We pray for all those who are single and seeking their vocation among our many intentions. As we continue to live out our marriage vows we continue to ask God that we do His will in all aspects of our lives. May God bless all of you as you continue to discern your vocation.
Mike |
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