How/Where we met:


Devon's Story
My Dad owns a Catholic Crossfit Gym called Divine Mercy Fitness. We pray before workouts, offer our workouts up for those in need and support each other in and outside the gym. My dad mentioned one day over dinner that there was a “really good guy” that had just started at the gym. He mentioned he was in his mid 20s and had just started the 2 weeks free trial session.

One morning about a week later I got up for work, and after getting ready realized University Hospital had called and I had gotten canceled from my shift. First of all, this NEVER happens. To get called off was a rare commodity on our floor and this was my first time in working there for a year and a half. I decided since I was up and awake to go to the gym. To my surprise I meet this new guy at the gym. I go up and introduce myself, “Hi my name is Devon, what is your name?” He tells me his name is Craig and that he just started CrossFit. We have a good class, are partners for a sit-up exercise and eventually I ask him for his number because I figured it would be great to get him connected in the Catholic Young Adult community. He gives me his number and rest is history.

Craig's Story
Divine Mercy Crossfit huh? You know, last spring during the Lenten season, I began to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet about halfway through dedicating each chaplet until Easter to simply bring my heart closer to God. I printed cards with the prayers of the chaplet on front and back with the goal to memorize them and give some cards to my friends and co-workers. Each day I prayed the chaplet, offering up my prayers for people, family, and special intentions that popped up. Little did I know where the Holy Spirit was leading me last spring.

I was looking to join a Crossfit gym because I was getting bored with the routine of going to the local rec center in the mornings. I desired a community and workouts that were dynamic and fun. I tried Crossfit in college a few times, but never had the opportunity to join a gym. So, in all my research I found there was a CATHOLIC Crossfit gym just down the street from my house! What!! I simply could not justify going to any other Crossfit gym because I love being Catholic. The Holy Spirit opened my heart to my faith through FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) my last semester at Colorado School of Mines and my heart has been on fire for Jesus and my Catholic faith ever since. Divine Mercy Crossfit it was! Decision made!

I called Steve, the owner and head coach and asked to start the two week free trial. I figured, at the least I could try it and see if I like it or not. Low and behold, my second class I attended on March 8th, 2016, bright and early at about 6 am under the pull-up bars, Devon came up and introduced herself to me. I was pleasantly surprised by her joy so early in the morning. I didn’t have quite the same energy that early in the morning. It didn’t take long for me to realize how strong Devon was too! Clearly she had been doing Crossfit a long time. But I must say, I was not looking to date anyone so asking her on a date did not even cross my mind. Fortunately, she was braver than me and asked for my number and soon enough she invited me to go dancing with her. Not the usual, but I guess the Holy Spirit was looking out for me.

First "Date":

Devon's Story
There is controversy over “which date” is the first date. I would count our first date when Craig asked me to go dancing at the Mercury Cafe for blues dancing. It was a great evening filled with laughter and that awkward moment wondering if he was going to hold my hand.

Craig's Story
I like to consider our first date the first time Devon asked me to go dancing because of these reasons: one guy and one girl meet at a dive bar, enjoy a beer and play pool while getting to know each other, then finish the night dancing to a live band amidst a few other couples and locals, then guy walks girl to her car, and we both agree we had a great time and hope to go dancing again soon wishing each other a good night. To me, this is enough for me to say ‘Official’ even if at the time we only knew each other’s names and didn’t even know if it was just going to be only the two of us.

Anywho, that night left me in awe and I went to sleep a very happy boy. I couldn’t wait until I could ask Devon on our next adventure which of course would be more dancing since that is what she loves to do! Ok Holy Spirit, I am listening now.

Dating Official!

Devon's Story
On May 17th, after work, I headed over to Craig’s house where he made dinner for myself and a few friends. He had flowers for me on the table for my birthday and a card. The dinner was delicious and at the end of the night Craig gave me the letter to open on my birthday (May 18th). I was traveling to Nashville, Tennessee the next day on my birthday to visit good friends who just had their second baby. I woke up the next day and opened the page long typed letter before heading to the airport. It was a beautiful love letter, at the end asking me if I would discern marriage with him. I called him later that evening in Nashville and said I would love to date him.

Craig's Story
I was a Candidate with the Community of the Beatitudes in Denver last year for about 6 months until I met Devon. This is an early step to joining the community to further discern religious life with them in Denver and eventually in France. So basically I was “dating” the community. I came and stayed in their house in Denver for 1 or 2 weekends a month, celebrated most major feast days with them, and came for a night of vespers when I could during the week. This time spent with them was pivotal in my growth in my faith journey. Devon and I began talking and getting to know each other from Easter to May. Her authenticity and joy definitely won my heart and it wasn’t long until I decided to pursue a relationship with her and step away from Candidacy with the Beatitudes.

The moment I decided in my heart to truly pursue Devon was May 15 at a night of Praise and Worship with the Community of the Beatitudes at St. Catherine of Siena church in Denver. Father Luc, one of the Brothers and Priest in the community, who I had gotten to know well through hiking, skiing, and meeting for spiritual direction at different times, prayed over me. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he simply said, “The Holy Spirit wants you to be happy, Craig. Trust in Him with this decision of yours.” I had felt a certain anxiety until this point, but I knew that Devon was truly an amazing person who, as cheesy as it sounds, glowed with the Holy Spirit. I could absolutely see marrying her someday. This was a great moment of consolation that gave me the courage to make the next step.

Afterwards while leaving the church, I invited Devon over for dinner on May 17th, knowing her birthday was May 18th. I was going to make it a special but fun dinner with friends at my house. Devon and her awesome nurse friend Katie graciously came over after a long day of work saving lives at the hospital and we had a good time among my roommates and a few other friends. I picked up some flowers and wrote her a very intentional letter which I told her she couldn’t read until the next day. I spoke from my heart in this letter inviting Devon to discern marriage with me in a dating relationship. Praise God the next day she called me excited and said yes!

7 Month Journey:

Devon's Story
We started dating May 18th and he met most of my extended family two weeks later. He handled the loud Italian family well and they approved. It was a bit of a crazy summer and fall for our relationship. Craig left for 1 month in Europe in July, I changed jobs to an outpatient OB GYN clinic called Bella in August. Craig was officially laid off in October and found a new temporary consulting job 3 days later. There were some big changes in both our lives that we had to support each other during our dating relationship.

Craig's Story
Soon after Devon and I began dating, I had the great opportunity to be the center of attention at multiple family get-togethers pretty much meeting her entire extended family. A bunch of Italians, feisty and full of hugs and kisses all at the same time. I was the first boy Devon brought home, so I must say, I think I was doing good but at the same time was thinking “Oh man, I better keep myself in check with this girl and her family.” July, I spent a month in Europe with limited contact with Devon which was hard for us. It was like we had to start new in August when I returned. I would say up until now, the biggest turning point and decision in my life was to turn down a job with my company at the time to move to Bellingham, WA to work in a refinery. It was a lingering decision that I finally decided at 4:30 in the morning while on vacation with her family in LA at her grandparents house. It surprised almost everyone except Devon’s Grandpa Gentile. He gave me a nice compliment on my decision just before leaving saying, “Welcome to the family.”

I was officially laid off Oct. 3rd and found a new short term job a few days later in the Denver area. Meanwhile throughout these few months up to Christmas, Devon and I enjoyed a fun weekly routine. We often enjoyed 5 am workouts at her dad’s crossfit gym, Crossfit Divine Mercy Fitness, daily Mass and prayer after workouts, and then dinner many nights a week with friends and family. Devon finally was able to meet my parents and brothers in Nevada for Thanksgiving. This was a huge blessing for her to meet them.

I am grateful for this time before engagement as Devon truly challenged me to be a better and holier man. As my grandma has always told me, “Where there is a will, there is a way!”

Engagement Story

Devon's Story
It was the week before Christmas, and for some reason Craig seemed really stressed. He was just kinda off and blamed it on work. However, it did not seem like he was working that much, so I was a little confused and suspicious. He told me not to plan anything on my day off the 23rd as we were going to go on an adventure in the mountains. I asked plenty of other questions, but of course he refused to answer any of them. On the 23rd we woke up early and went and prayed in the chapel. Then, unbeknownst to me, we headed to Winter Park. We met up with family friends and they lent us their fat tire bikes. We fat tired biked in the snow for an hour or so and had a ton of fun! Then we got dressed up and headed down the mountain to St. Francis Cabrini shrine. Craig was kinda rambling as we headed down the mountain, and I commended that he usually only rambles when he is nervous. He stopped rambling pretty fast and we arrived at the Cabrini shrine around 3:20 pm. We prayed a Divine Mercy Chaplet up the stairs (I had a pretty good suspicion of what was happening at this point). Craig was breathing pretty hard up the stairs and had to stop frequently to catch his breath. It did not occur to me till later that he was so nervous his heart was beating out of his chest. We arrived at the Cabrini shrine and there were rose petals at the top of the stairs leading to a circle of roses. Craig led me over to the circle of roses, and reached into his jacket to fish out a small little black box. Although I kind of knew it was happening, I could not believe it was really happening!!! He knelt down on one knee and whispered, “Devon will you marry me”. I whispered back, “yes”.

Craig's Story
First off, let me tell you something about Devon. She is the most inquisitive, intuitive person who simply cannot handle when someone is trying to surprise her. I recount her asking her parents and myself multiple times at least a week before Christmas what we got her for Christmas. So, from the point I made the move to talk to Devon’s parents, meet with the jeweler, and solidify a design for her engagement ring, which was Nov. 19th, Devon was constantly snooping and asking questions to figure out what was going on with me and her parents. I figured out how to bypass her questions though. Every time she quizzed me on weird happenings, I simply said, “Devon, you are not allowed to ask questions.”

Here is the low-down from Nov. 17th until Dec. 23rd, the day I proposed:

Nov. 17th - I made first contact with Devon’s mom about my plans. Later in the day Devon and her mom met with a local jeweler and she got all Devon’s likes/dislikes and ring information to help me.

Nov. 18th - I left work early to meet with the jeweler. I helped her sketch 4 designs in which she would provide an estimate on by that night.

Nov. 19th - I met with Devon’s parents and truly opened my heart to them to ask for their blessing to marry their daughter. This was a great moment. Devon was at work so she was not aware. I choose a design and approved the jeweler to move forward.

Dec. 1st - The jeweler sent the CAD design and final pricing. It was perfect. I approved her to go ahead and go into production of the ring within an hour of seeing the design.

Now I must wait until the 22nd before I get to pick the ring up in person! I put my faith in the Holy Spirit on this one.

I picked the ring up in the afternoon on the 22nd. It was gorgeous. I was very happy with it and excited everything was coming together. I planned a full day of fun on Friday the 23rd with Devon as she had the day off. First, we prayed together in the morning at the chapel, then headed off to Winter Park to go fat tire biking on snow. Interesting huh! It was a blast. We were fortunate to be able to borrow some bikes from a family friend. After spending some time with them, we dressed up nice because I told her we had a fancy dinner date. The surprise came though when I told her we had a pit stop on the way back to Golden. Mother Cabrini Shrine.
We arrived at around 3:30 pm. The sky was blue, the wind was light. Perfect. My roommate Eddy and friend Harrison who is an aspiring young photographer set the scene for the proposal. Eddy picked up like 24 beautiful roses and extra rose petals to create a line to guide us to a circle of roses in which I entrusted Harrison to pick as the aspiring photographer. It was perfect.

I was so nervous after we started driving from Winter Park. Devon knew what was happening but wasn’t aloud to ask questions. I kept to the plan.

At the Mother Cabrini Shrine site, there are long steps going up a hill to a 30 foot statue of Jesus which looks out over Denver. It’s the holiest, most beautiful place I could think of near the city and I thought it would be a great place to take the next step to invite Devon to journey in life to help each other get to heaven when the Lord calls. Given is was the 3 o’clock hour on Friday, we prayed a Divine Mercy chaplet on our way up the steps. I’ll tell you what, my heart was racing!! I am glad I was in shape from Crossfit as otherwise I may have had a heart attack.

We walked up and found the first few rose petals near the top steps. I guided Devon to the circle of roses. Fumbled in my jacket for the tiny ring box which I hid deep in my glasses case. I dropped to one knee. Everything went so well and then, when I went to actually propose, barely a faint whisper came out of my mouth. Fortunately, Devon heard me and whispered back, “YES”!!

I must say, the Holy Spirit guided everything from the start. Every step of the way when I reached to Jesus in desperation, he reminded me to trust in Him.