Five Years Married Hasn't Dulled His Love

Hearing Nick talk about Michelle, I don’t think I’ve ever interviewed someone who sounded as smitten as he.

His joy was infectious. Back in the summer of 2014, Nick shared his potentially disastrous first date with Michelle, and he gushed about her classiness and intelligence.

He gave Michelle an amazing compliment: “She reminded me of a blonde Kate Middleton (whom I think very highly of),” Nick said in the first interview.

He also revealed that he felt honored to be marrying her when she accepted his proposal after one year of dating. But it didn't take him a year to know he wanted to marry her; he'd known she was the one since date number 3 when she accompanied him to his sister's wedding.

“I knew then that she was the one I had waited my whole life for.”

Were they happy?

Since then, I have periodically wondered how Nick and Michelle were doing. I was curious about if they were happy especially because I noticed how much he idolized Michelle.

Recently, I was blessed with the opportunity to find out some details about their wedding and their lives. Nick and Michelle sat down to reflect on their marriage and answered the questions together.

Offering a glimpse into their life together, they share intimate details and offer some advice to members seeking a spouse.

When and where were you married?

We were married on July 18, 2014, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Spokane, Washington.

Will you please each share your favorite wedding story?

Our favorite memory is seeing each other down the church aisle for the first time on our wedding day—it was a very special moment.

It was also wonderful to have all our friends and family present at our wedding.  We were able to connect to the past because the celebrant of the wedding Mass was Nick’s childhood priest and our reception was held in the same room where Michelle’s parents first met in the 1970s at Gonzaga University.

Is marriage what you expected it to be like?

It definitely is, and we feel extremely blessed and thankful that God led us to one another.  It has been important to remember to put each other first and keep God at the center of our lives, especially as we have made big decisions and added children to our life.

What have been the best aspects of being married?

The ability to plan our future together and knowing that we have a partner who will always be by our side as we go through both small and big moments in life.

Have there been challenges in your marriage, if so, how have you overcome them?

Of course, but things always seem to work out the way they’re supposed to when we’ve kept God at the center of our marriage.  We enjoy praying the rosary together, as it gives us the chance to focus on special intentions and reminds us that God has a plan for our lives—even if we aren’t quite sure of it yet.

Tell me what it’s like for you to be parents?

Bringing children into our family has truly bonded us and showed us the depth of God’s love.  It can be challenging at times, but it is also the most rewarding experience.  Our lives and priorities have changed immensely since having children, but our two little boys have brought so much energy, joy, and love. We couldn’t imagine it any other way.

Do you think having children has made your love stronger or has it sapped the romance?

Depends on the day! We really make a conscious effort to talk through situations as well as discuss how we could have handled things better. No doubt that time together is limited and exhaustion is the norm, but remembering to prioritize each other must be at the forefront.  Would we enjoy a few more nights out or a few more trips?  Of course, but those will happen again, and we wouldn’t trade these early years for anything.

Do you have any advice for members who are struggling to find “the one”?

It can definitely be frustrating. We both spent several years on and off CatholicMatch.  Just stay optimistic and don’t be afraid to expand your boundaries—both emotionally and geographically.

Neither of us could have ever imagined what God had in store for us when we were living 900 miles apart (Redwood City, California and Spokane, Washington).  Stay open-minded and try to not put too much pressure on yourself. Continue to pray for your future spouse even though you may not know them yet.  You can even pray a Novena to St. Raphael which is specific to finding your spouse.  Trust that God has a plan for you!