10 months engaged

We are so close! I am beyond overjoyed to share with you the many updates that this month has brought us. Nathan and I found our first home! We will be living in a two-story townhouse and I cannot wait to receive the keys in just one month away. Walking the empty rooms, I tried to imagine what it would be like to live in my own place. Having lived in the same house my entire life, the thought is daunting but also incredibly excited. We also finalized our date, not on March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day, but on March 19th, The Solemnity of St. Joseph. To me, this is was one of those God moments of our date in January being moved to the celebration mass of Mary’s husband and Jesus’ foster father, Joseph. Given that in the church, this is also the year of St. Joseph, I cannot think of a more fitting day to get married than this.

Nathan and I have had zoom and in-person meetings with our photographer, music ministry, flower arrangers, church marriage prep, our pastor and our reception coordinator. Etsy has become a good friend of mine as has our Zola wedding registry and countless furniture stores. I never would have thought that getting married had so many steps: to getting our wedding attire tailored, to figuring out auto and renter’s insurance, to applying for a marriage license, to confirming guest lists and sending out invites, to considering our monthly rent and planning our after-wedding trip, the list continues to go on.

I am also excited for the beginning of Lent this month, and also for the upcoming Catholic Writer’s Guild conference webinars I will be attending. I am looking forward to building community with others writers as well as having the opportunity to pitch my book proposal on praying the rosary to overcome anxiety to actual publishers! I feel so honored to have gotten this far along in my publishing dream and I cannot wait to see what is in store, even if it takes a while to achieve my dream, I have faith that God will help me get there and that my work can make a positive difference in the lives of others.

On a more saddened note, our beloved hamster, Bunny passed away at the end of January on the one-year anniversary of us adopting her into our lives. She passed peacefully, and Nathan and I are so grateful for her spunky, energetic, and pretty presence in our lives for all of the ups and downs of the 2020 year.

I pray for safety and blessing to come upon you and your loved ones as the 2021 year begins.

Semper Fidelis,

-Allison