Savannah & Derek
Savannah & Derek
Our Story
Our Story
It was the spring of 2022.
Savannah was working as a law clerk for a federal judge in Dallas. The preceding years had brought significant change to her life. Having become Catholic near the end of law school at the University of Chicago and having moved around for school and work, Savannah was ready to plant and build a life in Dallas. Following his graduation from the Hardin-Simmons Physician Assistant Program, Derek began working in family medicine at a clinic in Rockwall. Like Savannah, he was eagerly praying and looking for a spouse.
Derek and Savannah spotted each other on Catholic Match. When Derek reached out to Savannah for the first time, she was visiting her brother, Blake, and sister-in-law, Rebecca. Savannah opened Derek’s profile, turned the phone towards Rebecca, and said with excitement, “Look at who’s interested in me!”
Savannah and Derek met at Taverna on Knox-Henderson. Taking their seats for dinner, they promptly agreed that they didn’t like wine or paper straws. Things were looking positive. After dinner, Derek and Savannah walked a couple of miles on the Katy Trail, discussing their families, goals, callings, and, most importantly, their faith. As night fell and they walked to their cars, each hoped that they had just met their future spouse.
In front of Taverna, the restaurant where Savannah and Derek enjoyed dinner on their first date and on the night of their engagement.
Savannah and Derek fell in love. Derek flew on a bunch of airplanes to see a lot of places and people with Savannah; Savannah watched the entire Marvel cinematic universe. They went to countless Masses. Derek taught Savannah’s dog, Murphy, how to shake, stand up, lie down, roll over, play dead, and spin. (Derek is currently attempting to teach Murphy how to “pray.” Savannah is doubtful.) They integrated with each other’s families, who welcomed them with open arms.
Following about a year-and-a-half of discerning that they wanted to marry each other, Derek asked Savannah on a special date to Taverna. After dinner, he suggested that they walk the Katy Trail and pray the rosary together. So they walked and prayed. Derek directed Savannah to Snyder Plaza, a spot on the Katy Trail with a small glass peninsula overlooking Turtle Creek. He pledged his devotion, withdrew from his jacket a milagro of the Most Chaste Heart of St. Joseph (the patron Saint of marriage), and opened it to reveal an engagement ring, the first tangible sign of Savannah and Derek's unbreakable bond. Derek asked Savannah to marry him and she said yes.
