One of the most beautiful moments of my entire life just happened this week!
I had started my day by crossing the street to attend the 6:30 AM Mass on Ash Wednesday morning.
Little did I realize that the start of my Lent would be my last reception of the Holy Eucharist and my last school day to attend before being betrothed to a wonderful, Godly man!
Yes, Michael proposed on Ash Wednesday! And while some guys take the girl to a mountain top to propose, instead Michael took me to prayer.
In the candlelit Prayer Room, shortly after we prayed our daily Rosary and Night Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours, Michael popped the question. He had everything planned out beautifully. I had several envelopes to open, several Scripture passages to read about love and marriage, and a few other special things to read and look at (which are personal to us).
I started crying even before he proposed, because I could feel in my heart that it was coming. And then, once he told me to close my eyes as he got down on one knee and opened the ring box, I really started crying. When he said I could open my eyes, he said my full name as he proposed with, "Lisa Lynne Catherine Gorman, will you marry me?"
When I finally regained composure, he slipped the ring onto my finger -- and it fit perfectly! It's just gorgeous!!
With joy, we went to visit my parents and Grandmother that night. They figured we would be coming, as they knew ahead of time that Michael would be proposing that night! I learned that Michael had asked my parents' permission for my hand in marriage back on January 17th, the feast of Blessed Rosalina. :)
I praise God for creating Michael and for the honor of being asked to marry him! I thank St. Joseph and Our Lady for interceding before the Throne of God for us, as the last novena we prayed before this blessed event was the Novena to the Model Married Couple, St. Joseph & Our Lady (which concluded just 6 days prior, on March 3rd). I thank St. Philomena who always intercedes for us as our special patron. And I thank St. Catherine Laboure, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Francis of Assasi, and Archangel Michael who I know have prayed for us a ton!
I praise God for all the family members and friends who have supported me and prayed for me throughout my entire life. And I offer up the same praise to God for those who have supported Michael to help him become the man that he is today!
When I had "lit" all the electronic candles before we started praying, I was disappointed to discover that the center candle (which flickers in a red glass votive beneath the main crucifix in the room) would not turn on.
Figuring the bulb had burned out or the wire had become bad, I gave up on it. But, moments before Michael proposed, the candle CAME ON on its own, clearly by the power of the Holy Spirit!!
I fervently whispered, "Michael, look! The candle is burning beneath the cross now!" He, too, was amazed. What a special, happy moment.
So on Friday, my parents, in their joy, had an arrangement of white flowers delivered to Michael's parents with a note that read, "When children find true love, parents find true joy." How special!
But I shall remember that Lent, which is always a time of waiting and preparation and purification before the Ultimate Feast Day of the Church (which is Easter), is a wonderful way to begin our engagement, as we prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage.
Please pray for us and for God's Holy Will to be done in our lives!
