Summer 2010.
I remember thinking these were my last months of freedom for at least the next 3-5 years.

Almost everyone starting law school that Fall were taking vacations to Europe, Asia, or to some tropical paradise. I, on the other hand, was working as a personal assistant and a nanny of two adorable kids. I was saving for school, spending time with my family and friends, and passing idle time on Facebook and Skype.
It was the last of these that led to Chicago and my first date with Brendon.

First things first.
Long before Brendon entered the picture I was friends with his sister, Christina. She was also consecrated for some time and we had gotten close while studying in Greenville. I met her entire family for the first time at her wedding back in May 2008. Brendon was Br Brendon (a seminarian) at the time, so I really didn’t remember much of him from that trip other than his wonderful voice when he cantored for the Mass, and briefly shaking his hand in the greeting line.

Beautiful ladies at Christina’s wedding {I spy Brendon. Can you find him?}

Brendon came home early last year after 15 years in the seminary. He had discovered God wasn’t calling him to the priesthood. That, however, is his tale to tell…

For several months we were just ordinary Facebook friends. Our friendship was nothing more than simple wall/photo comment conversations. It wasn’t until we started chatting on Skype that it started developing into something more. How that happened is quite random.

My laptop was over 3 years old, talked randomly, and quite narcoleptic. With school in the Fall, I needed a replacement.  So taking my full-scholarship into account, I let myself splurge and bought my first Macbook. I was beyond excited.  On the scheduled delivery day, I literally checked the door over 10 times at the slightest noise. When it finally arrived, I thanked the driver multiple times and rushed inside to open it. Later that evening, after installing Skype on it, I ecstatically changed my ‘mood message’ to share my excitement. The next thing I knew, I received a notification that Brendon also changed his mood message. The strange thing was what he wrote sounded as if he was responding to mine. It was something along the lines of “Macs are the best. Let me know if you need any help or questions!” Amused and curious I changed mine to, “Ummm are you talking to me?” and sure enough, he responded.  Laughing, we began to chat and have done so everyday since.

He was in Chicago at the time, visiting Christina and her family. We would chat for hours at a time and soon my cheeks were sore from smiling so much. One conversation led to another and when Brendon innocently invited me to visit Chicago while he was still there, I freaked out a little. Does he like me?! Ahhh!!! But how inconvenient! Not now. No dating until at least 2nd year of law school…No Maria…don’t get ahead of yourself. Friends. You guys are just FRIENDS. But still… *sigh* (Picture the scene from “Tangled” when Rapunzel escapes her tower for the first time…and there you have it. That was me.)

After much thought, prayer, and girl-talk with my besties, I made a decision. Clearly there was some attraction on both ends and I knew if I didn’t go, I might regret it later wondering ‘what if…’ Besides, I needed a vacation before school, right? So when Brendon pushed his flight back a week to accommodate my schedule (my little brother was home for his summer break), I bought my ticket. I was going to Chicago.

This is us on our first date at Millennium Park for a “Music Without Borders” concert.

Our view for the concert at Millennium Park.

Chicago seems somewhat of a blur now. There are so many stories to share from that trip which I will do later. What I do remember though, is liking Brendon much more in person. Actually meeting him put all the pieces into place. I felt instantly at ease and although it took the rest of the day for the knot in my stomach to go away, it seemed as if I had known Brendon all my life…as if I was with a childhood friend whom I hadn’t seen in a while. He had been a perfect gentleman and at the end of our first date, I felt a deep happiness and peace as we said goodnight.

One of our last dates in Chicago. A visit to the zoo…and very much in love!