What happens when the son of one deacon meets the daughter of another deacon?

Florida Catholic has the story:

When Michael Fresneda arrived with his family to discuss the diaconate with Deacon Lazaro J. Ulloa at the Ulloa residence six years ago, there was no telling that their two eldest children, Stephanie M. Fresneda and David R. Ulloa, would begin a relationship that would unite the two families in matrimony.

Stephanie Fresneda, a student at Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll High School at the time, and David Ulloa, then a student at Christopher Columbus High School, had their first date at the Christopher Columbus High School Beach Bash on Sept. 12, 2003.

“The event was kind of like a welcoming dance at the beginning of the (school) year,” said Fresneda.

From that day on, they dated and grew closer in their relationship with one another and God. Now, the St. Thomas University alumni will be married Sept. 12, starting a new phase of their relationship on the anniversary of their first date.

As far as anyone can remember, this is the first such union in the history of the Archdiocese of Miami.

Officiating at the wedding, in addition to Father Robert Vallee, associate professor of philosophy at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami, will be the proud dads, Deacons Fresneda and Ulloa.

“It is great to have them involved in such an intimate and sacramental way in our marriage. They’re not just going to be watching, they’ll have a spiritual hand in it too,” said Ulloa, 22, whose degree is in English.

“It is great to have religious leaders in our family who can help us so intimately who are also our fathers,” Fresneda, 23, who studied history and political science.

Deacon Fresneda, ordained in 2008, is assigned to St. Kevin Parish and the detention ministry, and Deacon Ulloa, ordained in 2000, is assigned to Mother of Christ Parish, so their children’s wedding will be in a neutral site: Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Kendall.

Deacon Ulloa said he is proud to be part of their wedding ceremony but his main concern is not the wedding, but the marriage.

“I wanted to make sure that they understood the significance of the vows they are going to take. My main concern was that the marriage be strong and lasting,” he said.

Deacon Fresneda agreed. “It is a marriage. It is for better or for worse, for richer or poorer. It is a lifetime commitment. I hope the example that we’ve set for them in our own marriages will help them.”

The children said their parents’ examples are going to be very helpful in their own marriage.

“One thing I’ve always admired about my parents is how they solve their problems. They don’t put it out there for everyone,” said Fresneda.

“The fact that my parents love each other and they show that love is really important to me. It is definitely a healthy environment,” Ulloa said.

“The best advice we’ve received is ‘keep Christ in the center of your relationship,’” he added.

Bless them all. I’m sure many prayers will be with them in the days ahead.

PHOTO: Stephanie M. Fresneda, 23, and David R. Ulloa, 22, pose for a photo at their future wedding site, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, as their parents (left to right) Deacon Lazaro J. Ulloa and Zenaida Ulloa, Barbara Fresneda and Deacon Michael Fresneda, look on. David and Stephanie feel that their deacon fathers have helped them understand the sacrament of marriage better. The couple will marry September 12th.

Photo by Daniel Sone/Florida Catholic.