We must admit; this was an unexpected romance. We had been friends since I first moved to Grande Prairie, but under those circumstances we could only ever be just friends. Michael was involved with another person, and I was discerning my vocation as a Franciscan Sister. It was actually at our friend Christine’s wedding, when we innocently slowed danced together that the thought of the other as a potential partner first came to mind. Months of harmless flirting went by, until one night tickling turned into hand holding, and a goodnight kiss.

It was a match made in heaven, and I think even heaven declared that we should start this journey together. You see, the night before the kiss Michael had been praying for someone to come into his life and I had just finished my novena to Padre Pio for a husband. After about six months of dating, we then had what you can call the “decisive summer”. It started with the Catholic Family Life Conference where most of Michael’s friends were already asking when we going to get married (Michael knew almost everyone there!). Then, we got to meet each others family over the summer holidays.

In the Fall, the Cursillo Team and Choir parishioners were watching us closely… I was told after that they were watching for my finger. That beautiful ring came inside a cute, stuffed puppet dog on Christmas Day! Everyone in the world was expecting it, except Niki. As we finish writing this article, we’re preparing for our Engaged Encounter this weekend, as well as the many wedding details to follow. We don’t know what our future has in store for us (or how many kids), but we know that we want God to be the centre of it all!

Sincerely Yours,

Niki and Michael
Grande Prairie, Alberta