Ms. Sarah Smirl, associate director of admissions at NDA, is getting married to Notre Dame Class of ’99 Alum Matt VanGrunsven on July 21, 2012.

The engagement story goes like this: Ms. Smirl was taking Matt out to dinner for his birthday to Angelina’s. Matt planned on proposing because it would catch her off guard since she was the one who had taken him out to dinner. But when NDA students walked in and sat next to Ms. Smirl and her soon-to-be husband, Matt changed his mind and proposed after dinner.

“I had no idea he had this planned,” Ms. Smirl explained. “In fact, he had already asked for my dad’s permission for my hand in marriage.”

The excitement of the wedding already has Ms. Smirl busy planning the wedding and its many details.

The small wedding will be held July 21 at St. Agnes Church in Green Bay, and the reception is going to be at the Green Bay Country Club.

Some of her bridesmaids are familiar faces at Notre Dame Academy, including Mrs. Gina Fredrick, director of technology, and Mrs. Beth Abler, college adviser.

“A total of eight NDA alums are in the wedding--three bridesmaids and four groomsmen, and with the groom there is a grand total of eight,” said Ms. Smirl.

She has already bought one of the most essential pieces of her wedding--the wedding dress. She found her white, silk gown with the help of her mother, mother-in-law and her bridesmaids, she said.

After trying on about 15 dresses, Ms. Smirl got that feeling she knew it was the right dress. “We went to a couple of different places to look at dresses, but when she put on this dress, we all knew it was right. I am just so excited for her and Matt,” Mrs. Abler said.

“It is very elegant and I really like it,” she explained.

For the future, Ms. Smirl and her soon-to-be husband will reside in Howard. They have not decided on a location for the honeymoon but are thinking of Fiji.

Notre Dame Academy wishes her and Matt a lifetime of happiness.

“I am very excited to celebrate with Sarah and Matt. I look forward to the rest of the planning and finally the day of the wedding. She is going to make a beautiful bride,” Mrs. Abler said.