Steve had had enough of conventional dating sites.
“Finding love was a struggle; other dating apps were frustrating,” he says of trying to find love among others who didn’t share the same values.
So, he joined CatholicMatch, where he would be a member for about a year before meeting his own match. He recalls how the success stories here on CatholicMatch played a part in his own love story! “I remember reading articles on CatholicMatch while I was still searching! The success stories gave me just enough hope to keep praying and waiting for her,” Steve remembers of his search for a future wife.
On October 18th, he was matched with Sheila, another thirty-something who was an on-and-off user of CatholicMatch.
He was in Rancho Cucamonga, and she in Cerritos--some distance, but nothing they didn’t think they couldn’t handle since they were both in the same state of California. They checked out each other’s profiles, both liking what they saw. They chatted for a couple of weeks online. Steve was surprised at a unique detail in Sheila’s profile: her taste for horror movies. He’d not seen someone with this same film genre interest before!
“It provoked some interesting conversations!” Steve laughs. Then around Halloween, they began more intense discussions around challenging questions and tier Catholic values.
Both were looking to test the other’s faith and knowledge.
“Overall, what attracted me the most was her intelligence and bright humor,” Steve recalls. He then asked her out on a date, but Sheila turned him down flat. Why? Pandemic lockdowns in their area were still going on, and they were supposed to be social distancing. But, Sheila cushioned the blow by suggesting they meet on CatholicMatch video chat instead.
“Getting to hear her laugh and see her smile on-screen only made my attraction grow stronger!” Steve says. They talked about many things during this two-hour virtual call, including his job in IT with a 911 fire dispatch center, and her jobs as both an actress and behavioral analyst. They also talked about family, hobbies, and movies. The date was over in a flash! Sheila decided to invest more in Steve and sent him her phone number so they could start regularly calling.
“Our relationship bloomed from then on,” Steve remembers.
They spent the next months getting to know all about each other over the phone. They did finally have some in-person dates, once the lockdowns relented. Whether they met in person or on video or on the phone, Steve always felt Sheila’s warm enthusiasm and charm. They began meeting each other’s friends and family, exploring various cuisines, and yes, watching horror movies. They even began little trips to visit religious sites in their area.
About two months into their official relationship, the two decided to consecrate their relationship to Saint Joseph. They described the experience as amazing and inspirational, and little did they know, would later inspire their wedding date.
“As we spent more and more holidays together it became clear to me that I wanted to share the rest of my life with Sheila,” Steve says of their growing romance. There was no doubt in his mind that this woman would be the perfect partner for him on our walk with God.
He planned a beautiful proposal!
On May 6th, 2021, Sheila and Steve were touring the Vortexes of Sedona in Arizona. The rugged red sandstone hills provided a beautiful setting for Steve’s intentions. While on their tour, Steve said a prayer in respect of God's glory, and then turned to Sheila. He then asked her if she would be “the eternal flame in my heart, my everlasting partner in body, mind, and spirit.”
Sheila joyfully said yes! Steve and Sheila are eternally grateful that they have finally found their elusive soulmates. Looking back, they also realized that God was drawing them into a relationship with Himself first, before leading them to one another.
Their wedding is scheduled for May 19th of 2022, in honor of Saint Joseph’s feast day from their original consecration.
