College Students Find Firm Foundation Online

Dan Flaherty

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Success Stories

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January 25th, 2014

20

Kyle and Mary were both college students, trying to find their way on the dating scene, but having trouble finding a good match with someone who shared their Catholic faith and values. Kyle, by his own admission, was unsure of himself in dating, and his parents bought him a six-month subscription to CatholicMatch for his birthday to see if this might be the venue that would work for him.

Mary’s dating experience was limited to a nine-month relationship she’d had in high school, but after three years at college, nothing was working. Her aunt and uncle had found each other online, and they recommended that she try a Catholic dating site.

Kyle & Mary weren't finding their footing in the college dating scene, but when they came somewhere where others shared their values, it all worked.

They were both going to school in their home state of Wisconsin, roughly three hours apart. When they found each other online, the connection was quickly forged and they were soon doing chats a few times a week. Kyle lives in the Green Bay area, and when Mary went to visit a friend nearby, it provided the ideal chance for them to meet.

Kyle and Mary’s first meeting was in a group setting with her friend and they met at a local diner. Kyle found out that he wasn’t the only one who could get nervous and awkward in dating situations. Mary was so nervous she spent more time talking to her friend, then to Kyle.

After Mary made a couple visits to him in Green Bay, Kyle gave her a bold Christmas gift.

This was between the fall and spring semesters of their college calendar, and when Mary had to make another visit to the Green Bay area, this time for a funeral, they got together again and decided to exchange Christmas gifts.

Kyle made a bold move—he gave her a silver necklace that had two hearts interlinked. Mary admitted she almost refused it because they weren’t even dating yet—she had gotten him on a Michael Crichton book and the movie Elf—but Kyle sought to rectify that. He asked Mary if they could be "official” and she agreed.

After six months together, Kyle and Mary knew they had someone special. Neither would date someone that they couldn’t see marrying at some point down the road, and their time together showed they had a strong foundation together, one that started with faith.

Mary had made a decision to change her major, and the switch resulted in her being able to continue her studies closer to Green Bay. This was back in 2007, and they spent four years working on preparing themselves, both in their education and in their relationship. In 2011, they took a walk on a starlit night, and on the side of a hill, Kyle proposed and Mary said yes.

Circumstances require Kyle & Mary to live apart, but their marriage is built on the foundation of faith and a desire to see the other find their dreams.