Dear Paul, 

A first impression: from your description I think both you and your friend still have a lot to learn about each other. Wonderful people do exist, but we are all human and limited as well, and love is not blind to those limitations. So if what you feel now for each other is going to develop into love it will take time, and perhaps too a little pain. 

Now, as regards your question: you ask, basically, if there is any way a couple can live the mission of the priesthood and the state of religious consecration in the sacrament of matrimony, and the answer is simply, no. The priesthood and religious consecration both entail choosing to dedicate our whole selves to God in a special, unique way: the state of celibacy. It means leaving the pearl of human love for the pearl of greater price, which is the total, exclusive love for Christ, the Church and souls. Married people, however, dedicate themselves to God through human love, not renouncing human love. They are two totally different and mutually exclusive paths to God. 

Don't misunderstand. A married couple can (should) give themselves totally to God, but they live and express their surrender to him in their love and service to one another, and in their openness and dedication to life, their children. A married couple can be fully dedicated to work for the Church, there are many examples in the Church of missionary families, people whose whole life is lived to spread the Gospel, but they do it as a married couple. The way that priests and nuns are called to give themselves totally to God and serve the Church is as celibate persons; their calling is to sacrifice even human love in their particular following of Christ. 

I hope this is clear, please get back to me if you have more questions or comments. 

God bless.