Our Story
Her Story
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Mary, second daughter of Edwin and Marilyn, was born and raised in Chicago. She is the middle child of two sisters, Mae and Miseth. She is known as the "miracle baby" in the family since she was born 3 months premature at 1lb 8oz. God sure did have a special purpose for her life in allowing her to survive and grow up strong and healthy.
Mary got her bachelor's degree in graphic design in Chicago. After working in the field for a couple years, she felt a stronger calling to do something more. She then became a fulltime pastoral worker for the lay community she was a part of CFCFFL (Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life). This allowed her to see many different places and meet many different people, all the while, doing what she loved the most - serving others and serving God. After 2 years of being a missionary, she went back to work in the corporate world, while still living out all the lessons she's learned from mission work and carrying it out into the world that needs it most.
Mary is excited as the days get closer and closer to being united with Sean in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. She cannot wait to stand before God, and all of you, to profess just how great God is by loving her through Sean.
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His Story
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Sean is the second son of Lopar and Marnie, born in New York and grew up in New Jersey and moved to Texas when he was 13 years old. Sean has one older brother, Marlo.
Sean has become so passionate about fitness and well-being that it has led him to where he is today, pursuing a career in Physical Therapy Assistant. Sean loves sharing his knowledge and expertise by helping others to become the best version of themselves. He always pushes and inspires Mary in this way. He has gotten her to work out, which if you know Mary, you know that is not her thing!
He also grew up in the lay community of CFCFFL (Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life). Sean played a vital role in rebuilding the Youth and Singles in the Dallas area. He has continued to nourish his relationship with those that he has served and served with, and continues to be a brother that they can look up to. His passion for growing in his faith and love for God inspires everyone around him.
Sean is excited to take this journey with Mary towards God. He cannot wait to see what else He has in store for them and how their story will continue to unfold.
Our Story
Mary and Sean met through their Catholic lay ministry of Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life. They met at a Singles for Family and Life National Conference in 2008. It was not until Mary was transferred to Dallas for mission work where their friendship bloomed. They had the opportunity to serve together and really allow their friendship to grow, which they believe is the foundation for the best relationships. As they served more and more together and got to know each other more, they were constantly inspired by the other.
This inspiration led to the openness of seeing if there could be something more than just friendship between the two of them. While in San Antonio for a friend's wedding, Sean asked Mary if he could court her. Mary did not give an immediate answer because she wanted a chance to pray and purify this decision. Before heading back to Dallas, they went with friends to the Shrine of St. Therese, which is Mary's favorite saint. While there, she took the time to pray to St. Therese for affirmation and guidance. Upon reflecting for a while, St. Therese made her presence felt and affirmed Mary in her answer by showering her with roses. Mary then felt a great sense of peace. After the shrine, they made a stop at Mt Bonnell in Austin. When they finally reached the top, Mary gave Sean her YES. Continuing their road trip, Mary was affirmed of her answer by smelling roses at a parking lot where they made a pit stop, where there was obviously no roses to be found. Then she knew it was St. Therese and Mama Mary affirming and praying for her and this new journey.
Their courtship was a beautiful journey of growth together. They prayed every night to ensure that God was at the center of their relationship and was truly guiding them to His Will, whatever that may be for them. In the middle of their courtship, Mary moved back to Chicago, so they had to endure the difficulties of a long distance courtship. It was extremely difficult for them, but they knew this was only a test of how strong they were.
For Valentine's Day weekend in 2012, Sean visited Mary in Chicago. It was a great time for him to be able to spend time with her family and get to know them more. It was that weekend where Sean had approached Mary's parents to inform them of his intent with their daughter. He had asked for their blessing for them to take the next step and officially be in a relationship. After their approval, Sean sat Mary down and gave her a present. It was a book. This book was a story of them. He read the book to her of their story thus far. At the end, he said since the pages were now empty, he was wondering if Mary wanted to continue allowing God to write their love story and become boyfriend/girlfriend. After Mary gave her YES, they prayed to allow God to continue to work in this next step.
It was through their relationship that they were affirmed of how much God loves them. They continued to learn more about each other and grew more in love every day. They learned the good, the bad and the ugly about each other but knew that in the end of it all, God was continuing to make something beautiful with their individual lives and their relationship. He was constantly purifying them and their intentions.
Throughout the years, Sean was being affirmed more and more that Mary is the one he wants to spend the rest of his life with. After approaching her parents for their blessing and planning with Mary's cousin and best friend for 3 months, Sean surprised Mary in Chicago before Christmas. In front of family and friends and God at St. Stanislaus Kostka, Sean stated his intentions and the plans he had for their lives.
Throughout the preps for their big day, Mary and Sean keep in mind that they are not just preparing for their wedding day, but most importantly, preparing for their marriage and their lives together as one.