[Leading
up to the proposal] [The night of the
proposal] [During our engagement]
 Sam
and I would like to wish you both the best of luck on
Sunday night. You will remember this forever (just like
the fact that Drew Carey was at ours). For obvious reasons,
we won't be able to attend. (I kept thinking we could
find someone to watch Gabbi, but it's so late in the evening
and anyone we would ask would have to work the next day).
I really do wish we could come, but just know we'll be
there with you in spirit. Good luck and Congrats. - Sam
and Cheri |
|
 That
is great news that you are going to propose to Suzanne
on Gaudete Sunday--this is truly a moment of rejoicing
for you two. Thank you for asking us to share in that
joy. However, since we have Liturgy obligations at 9:00p.m.
at Washington University, we will probably not be able
to make it in time for Liturgy at SLU, but we will get
there toward the end to continue the celebration somewhere
else. I hope we will be able to go out with all of you
after Liturgy and celebrate it. We will look for you
all at the entrance to the College Church at the end
of the Liturgy. Hope to see you then--praying that she
says yes. The readings for that day are quite the readings
for a proposal night. From the first reading "Shout
for Joy, O daughter Zion, Sing joyfully, O Israel"
and then again from the second reading we hear "Rejoice
in the Lord always, I shall say it again Rejoice!!"
and then the Gospel calls us to share what we have with
others. What a great night for you two, looking forward
to sharing in that joy. So I say again, Rejoice!! Peace,
Jared Ainsworth-Bryson |
|
 Jeff
and I will be there and I am so happy that you two have
found each other. I don't think there is any other couple
I have ever seen so happy together as you two are and
I know you two will be together forever. Best of luck.
Love - Tara Meehan (& Jeff Hartsoe) |
|
 Mike,
If I could be there, I would be. Your happiness is at
the top of my list of things that count in our friendship.
I love the way you are proposing. It was God and church
that made us family and my parents husband and wife...
which is quite another thing from being a couple, in love
or parents. I know you’ll serve God and your wife
with the same care and devotion with which you have served
others your whole life. Go for it. In all things, Josh
Henry |
|
| Man...
That's awesome!!! On the way home from your place, Erin
and I were wondering how long it would be until you two
got married! We'd love to come down and be there, but
it's just too late for a Sunday. You'll definitely be
in our prayers! There is no better place to propose than
in front of the Blessed Sacrament. I proposed to Erin
while we were praying in front of the tabernacle at Quincy
U. It's totally amazing. We're excited for you! You'll
be in our prayers. - Justin Meats |
|
 Mike,
congrats... I'm sure that you and Suzanne will be very
happy... - John Gasink |
|
| Mike-
Congratulations! Unfortunately, as you correctly surmised,
I will be [here at school and] unable to join you on that
special night. Good luck! - Robert Lampitt |
|
 Congrats,
I don't know if i can make it, but I sure as hell will
try. Love, Chris Layloff |
|
 CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!
Although I probably won't be able to make it, I'm very
happy for you guys. I hope the night goes off perfect
for you and I think that's a great way to do it! - Steve
Kromraj |
|
 Just
read over everything. I'm in tears (of happiness as you
can imagine). I am so happy for both of you. I wish we
could get away to be with you on Sunday, but I am going
to have to pass on this one and be there with you in spirit.
Welcome to our family. Will talk to you soon. - Aunt Virginia
Ritchie |
|
 MIKE!!
Oh my, that is SO AWESOME!! And can i say it's about damn
time. :) Oh MAN, this is so exciting! I cried when i read
your PDF. I will definitely try to be there. :) - Leah
Bennett |
|
 It
is about darn time. Mom and Dad have been trying to get
me to go to church and I didn't know why. So thank you
for the email. Good luck, God Bless, and I wouldn't miss
it for the world. - Lindsay (Lerch) Moore |
|
 VERY
cool. I don't know if I'll be able to make it or not,
but good luck (and I'll bet on Congratulations! as well)
if I can't get there. - Steve Walters @ Avatar |
|
 You
ARE SO AWESOME! You make me cry!!!! Best wishes! - Pam
Rainey @ Avatar |
|
 Mike,
I won't be able to come Sunday night because Dave and
I are a part of our own Christmas Program at our church,
but I wanted to wish you a blessed time that evening and
hopefully it will work out the way you hope for! Congratulations,
it sure is an exciting time! (Just don't plan your wedding
for Valentines day! That is my wedding day! hehehe - Kelly
Yapp @ Avatar |
|
| Wow!
I can't believe it is the big night already! How exciting...
Well, we have a big liturgy ahead. We have a baptism and
confirmation -- one of our catechumen has been called
up to active duty in the military and is heading to Iraq.
So we will have a loaded up celebration! Hard to pick
music for Advent and confirmation, but we are looking
pretty good! Good luck with your proposal. She is sure
to say YES, isn't she?! LOL. - Sean Dineen @ SLU College
Church 10 PM Choir |
|
| Mike-
Marty showed me the email you sent. I am so happy for
you both. I admire and am a little jealous of your commitment
to God. It is really a beautiful thing. I don't think
Marty and I will be able to be there but know I will say
a prayer for you two that night. I am sure she will accept
your proposal!!!! Best of luck and again CONGRATULATIONS
to you BOTH!!!! - Debbie Reider |
|
| That
is so sweet! :) I'll look forward to more pictures of
the happy couple. You two are so cute!!!!!! Thank you
for sharing that with me. I wish you both all the happiness
in the world. - Dannie Drake (my Avatar account rep at
CDW, whom I tell how much I love Suzanne every time I
place an order) |
|
| Mike,
I am so very happy for you!!! Chris and I would love to
be there, but I don’t think we will be able to do
that because of an earlier promise we made to one of our
dearest neighbors. I am sooooooo sorry! If I can slip
out of it and join you, I will! - Merrell Hansen @ Avatar |
|
| I
really wish we could be there for you and Suzanne, but
we will be celebrating our second child's first birthday
on Sunday. Thank you so much for inviting us for this
wonderful occasion. Take care! - Scott A. Sorgea |
|
| Dear
Mike - this is from Aunt Kate in Houston - I met you this
past year at a sadder part of our lives so it is with
joy that I write and assure you and Suzanne of my prayers
and good wishes and blessings. I am happy for you both
- as you see I feel sure Suzanne will say "YES"
God bless - Aunt Kate Fogarty |
|
| Hi!
My name is Liz Diaz. I'm one of Suzie's cousins and would
like you to know my family will be praying on Sunday for
you and for God's blessing on your future (hopefully!)
union. Suzie is so special, and she is just such a gift
with her generous nature, giving heart, and sincere consideration
of others. We love her so much! I will pray for her happiness
and well-being and that God will continue to use you both!
We live in Florida and you are always welcome to come
and visit! God bless you. - Liz Diaz. |
|
| I
will be there Sunday. Mario might, it depends on if he
gets finished with his dart league in time. My mom is
thinking of going. I just wanted to offer my help if you
need anything (like flowers, etc.) Anything that would
set her off if you did it. I think the plan is fool proof.
And I'll be praying for you this week. - Frances Long |
|
| I
think it is great that you plan to propose to Suzie. I
am really excited for her, she deserves a good man and
especially one that believes in God and practices his
word. My sister Liz and I think Suzie is special. she
is the most kind hearted soul there is, we just love her
to death. We have gotten real close with her since my
wedding over 3 years ago. I know she will be so excited
when you propose, we have spoken about in the past. Please
keep me posted. Thanks, Stephie Mathews |
|
| Sounds
great! As long as I'm not working or anything, I will
be honored to be there! Keep in mind I am not affiliated
with any religious discipline, however, I would love to
be present for this! Good luck!!!!!! - Matt Bower (our
friend who works at Sacred Grounds and who makes a killer
mocha!) |
|
 I
am so excited for you both!!! It's so wonderful to see
a couple who bases their relationship and their love in
their God and their church. Not enough families are doing
that today. - Tina Nelson @ Avatar |
|
 Mike
- I just wanted to wish you luck on Sunday night. I am
sure Suzanne will say yes. So, I wish the both of you
happiness for eternity. - Rebecca Adcock |
|
 GREAT
NEWS! I'm very happy for you. I will ask Lashawna if I
am allowed out this Sunday. I would love to shake hands
with you after becoming an engaged man.
- (Bootlicker) Joe Hipperson |
|
 Dear
Mike, Wow, we are so excited for you! Unfortunately we
have a Christmas party to go to the same night. We would
love to be there for you! We are sorry! Would wish you
luck but you don't need luck! Lots of love! SMILE!!! -
Tina Marlene and Rob Hoffmann |
|
 Sorry
we won't be able to attend Sunday. John has the flag football
game and I have an early final Monday morning. Our thoughts
will be with you. Good luck! Laters, Catherine Layloff
& John McCall |
|
 May
the force be with you. I'll be thinking about you this
weekend....Yippee!
- Missy Belosi @ Avatar |
|
 That
sounds like a very exciting plan. Congratulations! - Bill
Faris @ Avatar |
|
|
|
[Leading
up to the proposal] [The night of the
proposal] [During our engagement]
In
addition to those who were with us in spirit and
in prayer...
The friends and family who were with us at the church
the night of the proposal... |
| Mark
& Mary (Mom & Dad) Lerch |
John
Mark Lerch (brother) & Jen Padgett |
| Lindsay
(Lerch) Moore (sister) |
Woody
& Rita (Mom & Dad) Halbrook |
| Sara
(sister) & Sean (brother) Halbrook |
Andy
O'Guinn |
| Jeff
Hartsoe & Tara Meehan |
Paul
Yehling |
| A.J.
Somraty |
Mario
Rossi & Frances Long |
| Mr.
& Mrs. Elmer Long |
Jared
& Elise Ainsworth-Bryson |
| Chris
Layloff |
Judy
& Brittney Kult |
| Carol
Reagan |
|
|
|
[Leading
up to the proposal] [The night of the
proposal] [During our engagement]
| Congratulations!
I think you both are very lucky. And you proposed at one
of my most favorite and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful
and special places around!! I have to get back to doing
work but I just had to pay a quick visit to the website...
Best wishes (with a whole new meaning),
Stacey (Davis) (a client & friend of Michael's at
Avatar)
|
|
| I
heard the good news a few weeks ago, however, after checking
out your wedding site, I wanted to say congrats! After
reading the website, it sounds like you to have shared
some pretty special moments together, and I'm sure that
you two will have many more! Congrats once again.
Your Friend,
Nik Kern
WWW
|
|
| Hey,
congratulations!! Very cool! I wish you many
blessings in your marriage. You're definitely starting
out together on the right foot as God is very much part
of both your lives and will definitely bless your marriage.
Keep me posted on you guys decide when the wedding
will be.
Again, congratulations on your engagement!
It is so fantastic to hear of a new marriage that
will be so grounded in a mutual faith in God. I
wish you and Suzanne the very best!
BTW, if you do name a son Xavier, be
sure to pronounce it the correct way:
"Zay-vure," and not "Ex-zay-vure"
like they do in the X-men movies. :-)
-Michael Dixon (art director at a partner
of Avatar Studios)
|
|
| Congratulations!
Shaun told me the great news--I'm excited for you and
your fiancee. I wish you both great luck in the future
and the blessings of the Lord.
"[A]nd the mother of Jesus was
there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples,
to the marriage." John 2:2
- JT (OA Shows & Scouting friend)
|
|
May
the light of friendship guide your paths together.
May the laughter of children grace the halls of your home.
May the joy of living for one another trip a smile
from your lips, a twinkle from your eye. And
when eternity beckons, at the end of a life heaped high
with love,
May the good Lord embrace you with the arms that have
nurtured you
the whole length of your joy-filled days.
-
John Gasink |
|
| CONGRATS!!! Seriously,
way to go...I am super happy for you...we need to all
go out...you and your queen to be and my wife and I. Let
me know when. - (Bootlicker) Joe Hipperson |
|
 Mike,
Congratulations, I wish I could've been there... I'm
glad everything went well for you, and wish you the best
in the future... I wish you both the best of luck
and am sure everything will work out for the best. For
no apparent reason I would like to interject and state
my belief that you should have an outdoor ceremony at
the Summitt House. I think that this makes the most
sense, it does to me at least. Plus, it'd be pretty
damn funny. No, the Summitt House didn't have alot
to do with your relationship, and therefore would be lacking
any real sense of meaning or symbolism, but still. Again,
congrats, and I wish you both the best of
luck in everything that follows. - Ryan Yepsen |
|
 Mike-
I apologize that I couldn't make it last night. I
hope that everything went as planned or better. I
am very happy for you and Suzanne and I wish the best
for you both. If I don't get a chance to talk to
you before, I want to wish the both of you a merry Christmas.
- Anthony Dust |
|
Sorry
I missed your big event last night. I was with you in
prayer and spirit. God bless you both. I couldn't have
picked better people for each other, I know God had this
plan for you!
Love,
Cathy Webb (Youth Director at Holy Family, grade school
teacher of Suzanne and I, and very close friend of ours) |
|
YEAH!
:) i am so happy for you! i am sory i was unable to be
there last night--i completely forgot i had paid to go
to the fuel concert already. :( grrrr! but i prayed for
you at mass earlier in the day! :) CONGRATULATIONS and
i hope you have a long wonderful happy life together!
:)
and if you want anyone to read, minister, or anything
at your wedding mass, i would be happy to do so!! :)
- Leah Bennett |
|
 Hi
Mike! It’s great to hear the news. You are engaged,
wow, it’s such an amazing thing that someone can
find another person in this world that is a perfect
match for them. I’ve found it with Stephanie and
you with Suzanne. It’s really great to hear the
news. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there last
night to congratulate you in person, but I thought about
you. I can’t wait till I am done with these finals
and get to see you and the rib. We are so happy for
you and we all should get together sometime during Christmas-time.
I can’t wait for the wedding either. Let me know
when the date is set, I’ll be sure to clear the
calendar.
All
our hopes and prayers,
Brian and Steph
|
|
 I
read the entire website...and I am very proud of you
two. You are such an inspiration. I know you are going
to be very happy. The ring is beautiful!!! I am very
excited for you both! First comes married...then comes
babies! :)))
- Ginny Becker (Alton Regional CVB)
|
|
 Congratulations
on your engagement, now that it is official! I checked
out your website, and I'm glad everything went so well.
I knew she would say yes. You and Suzanne are the perfect
couple! I wish I could have been there for the happy
occasion, but I was just getting over a mild case of
the flu, and I was in bed by 10:00 p.m. You know how
that is! Let us know as soon as the two of you have
set a date. Again, congrats! I am very happy for both
of you.
- Jeannie Schnefke (Holy Family Music Ministry)
|
|
 Glad
to hear everything went ok! We'll have to get together
sometime soon for dinner or something!
Later,
Jer (Klaas)
|
|
 Congrats
man! That is so awesome. Ashley and I have been
rooting for you. Keep us all updated as to all
the fun events planned for the future.
Your bro, Jordan Hitchens
|
|
|
|
