These two first met as friends in high school but the Lord called them in different directions – Matthew to the seminary and Lauren away to college and other romantic relationships.

They kept in touch periodically through the years. Thinking Matthew would one day be a priest, Lauren even recalls telling a past boyfriend that she hoped “Matthew would be the one to marry her one day” … obviously meaning that he would be the celebrant of her future wedding mass! Little did she know how true those words would become! Matthew eventually discerned out of seminary and in hearing the Lord’s call to marriage became the man who DOES get to marry Lauren!

Matthew pulled off the perfect surprise proposal by visiting the grotto at Notre Dame after mass. There happened to perfectly be two spots at the kneelers that were open (a rare thing with how busy this sacred place can be!) when he got down on one knee to ask Lauren to marry him.

For their engagement session, we went back to some of their favorite places on the St. Thomas Academy & Visitation campuses where their friendship first began. There was Mary again, waiting for us in her grotto there too. We let them have a moment of prayer before going further into the session. And wow is it so beautiful to witness a couple incorporate prayer into their engagement session!

We have no doubt that their wedding day next year will be just as beautiful and drawing all eyes to Christ through them.