Engagement

I'll admit, if someone told me I would have found myself engaged by 22, I'd have told them they were crazy. Not till at least my late twenties, my (not-so-much) younger self would have said. I wanted to have my career, my travel, my own apartment, and a Master's before I tied the knot with someone. No need to have some guy distract me, particularly because they never stay. It didn't help that I was too Catholic, too feminist, too much "one of the boys" to ever be seen as more than just a pal.

Well, you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. After I returned from Kenya, I started chatting with a friend of mine from our campus ministry. We didn't talk that much previously but, whenever we did, we always had a lot to talk about. This time, we ended up talking so much that coffee turned to dinner which turned into drinks and I knew I needed to keep an open heart. Soon, one thing led to another and we were together.

Throughout our courtship, it amazed me how comfortable I was with the idea of a life together. As we came to know each other, we realized that, aside from an obvious physical attraction, we had similar goals, worldviews, a strong spiritual base, and personalities that worked well together. I came to realize that marriage does not mean putting my dreams aside, rather, I'd have someone who could experience them with me (as I experience his). Meeting and getting to know each other's families only confirmed our growing desires to be together. Finally, working through obstacles we've faced made me realize that I'm ready to do this. So, when he asked me in Dupont Circle if I was willing to spend my life with him, I gave an irrevocable yes.

The only major issue standing in our way is stable income. He's a student and I'm completing a year of volunteer service in the DC area. We are seeking steady employment for next year, after which we'll start the necessary prep course Catholics have to undertake.

So, in a tribute to my muse, The Boss himself, we're ready to take that long walk.