Maxwell Asher Stelmack
I come from a small, but proud, military family. My father’s role in the Air Force relocated me across two countries and four states before I was in the second grade. We eventually settled in the flat plains of Centerville, Ohio, but after high school I moved to the mountains to attend Virginia Tech. After completing my Bachelor’s and Master’s in computer engineering, I embarked on a through-hike of the Appalachian Trail for the first half of 2024. I moved to Raleigh in August of the same year to work as a software engineer for Garmin. I love my new state for bringing me closer to the beach, my extended family, and the love of my life. I never had serious doubts that God would lead me to my future wife, but I didn’t think I’d have to move all around the country and hike 2000 miles to find where she was hiding.
Rachel Anne Smith
I’m the oldest of 5 kids and, unlike Max, I was born and raised in one place (Wilmington, North Carolina). I did move out-of-state to obtain a history degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. After graduating I moved to Raleigh for the vibrant Catholic community there, but as you’ll see that transition wasn’t so simple…
I am a homeschool alumni and a beach girl who loves reading, sports, running, Legos, and puzzles. Most importantly, I love our Lord and strive to devote my life to him every day. I prayed for many years to meet my future husband. I know Max was the one for me because I feel peace and can be myself around him.
First Meeting
July 2023
I first came to the area for a summer internship. I was prompted to look into Catholic young adult event when my grandmother remarked, “You know, you really should start looking for a young lady.” I found a soccer/frisbee group through Facebook, and that’s where I met Rachel for the first time. She struck me as very pretty, but since I would leave soon it wasn’t the right time to start anything. As I finished my Master’s and hiked the trail, she lingered in the back of my mind…
–Max
A Year Apart
August 2023 – July 2024
After that summer, I suffered an unexpected job loss and moved back home to Wilmington. I longed to return to my friends in Raleigh, but finding a job proved elusive. I prayed a novena to the Holy Spirit and found my current job with the Diocese! After being gone just over a month, I moved back to Raleigh… then moved again only a month later! The uncertainty and turmoil frustrated me in the moment, but through it all God was placing me where I could meet someone again…
–Rachel
We Meet Again
August 2024
On the Appalachian Trail, I decided on a whim to pray a 54-day novena to be led to my future wife. I moved back to Raleigh August 12 and returned to the soccer/frisbee group the next day. When I caught sight of Rachel again, I yearned to talk to her… but then she didn’t show up for 3 weeks! Where is this girl? Well, I bumped into her at a young adult bible study.
–Max
Asking Her Out
September 2024
When I saw Max at the bible study and listened to how intelligently he spoke, I felt this pull in my stomach (literally a gut feeling) that he could be the guy for me. I messaged him on GroupMe to offer information about other young adult events (and to drop a not-so-subtle hint). Our conversation drifted from calendars to personal details, from text to in-person. We decided to attend a Holy Hour (for vocations, no less) together and afterward he asked me out! Yay!
–Rachel
First Two Dates
September 2024
We were both super nervous our first time out. The conversation was blurry, but I remember how pleased she was when I offered her my arm like a gentleman to escort her into the restaurant. The second date is when we hit it off. I knew I wanted to marry this girl when she launched into nerding out about the Titanic. After dinner, I asked her to be my girlfriend.
–Max
First Month
October 2024
In our first month, we learned how to be companions for each other. We kept dates simple at first: walks in the park or trips to the library. But then we dreamed up more adventurous activities to share, compiling them into what became a never-ending wish list. Highlights from that time include kayaking, helping me move for the third time that year (crazy!), and our first month-iversary dinner. We started attending daily mass together every day, both to receive the Eucharist and visit each other before work.
–Rachel
Meet the Family
November 2024 – December 2024
As we moved into holiday season, we met each other’s parents. Rachel started coming with me to Sunday dinners at my grandparents’ house. I was invited to her family’s (many) Catholic house parties: All Saints Day, Epiphany, and St. Joseph’s feast day, oh my! I had a blue Christmas when her family’s Australia trip separated us for three weeks.
–Max
Imagining Our Future
January 2025 – March 2025
On our three-monthiversary, we opened up about our hopes for married life: what area we would live in, the Lego room in our dream house, and how many kids we would pack into our minivan. When we celebrated six months, he took me on a hike/picnic in Umstead state park and we confessed we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.
–Rachel
New Horizons
April 2025 – May 2025
After that conversation, I got to work designing her ring. At Easter I asked her parents for her hand. I wrote and rewrote and rerewrote my speech. I chose Wrightsville Beach for the setting, since it’s in her hometown and her favorite place on earth. As the sun rose on May 24th, I asked her if she would start a new beginning with me.
–Max
Engagement
May 2025 – February 2026
The day flew by as we shared our news with family and friends (and filmed their reactions). Every tear, smile, gasp, and laugh drew us close to everyone we love. We’re so excited for you to join us as we open the next chapter of our lives: man and wife!
–Rachel
