He Traveled 1,000 Miles for Their First Date!

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On March 25 of 2020, the Feast of the Annunciation, Marie and her friend decided to make CatholicMatch profiles together. She had no idea where this would lead her, but one year later––on March 24 of 2021––Marie met her husband for the first time!

“I was just about to finish my consecration to Our Lady through St. Louis de Montfort the following day,” Marie shares, “so I feel sure the Blessed Mother interceded for us.”

Just a few weeks before that first in-person meeting, Marie had noticed Andrew’s profile on CatholicMatch and thought he was very handsome! Showing the profile to her mom, Marie was amused when her mom commented lightheartedly, “Now there’s a face you could look at all your life!”

It was much more than just Andrew’s good looks that caught Marie’s attention.

“From his profile, I saw that he was converting to the Catholic Faith,” Marie shares. “I’ve always admired converts for being receptive to the truth of our Faith in spite of the influences of a harmful, modern world,” she continues.

Though she and Andrew come from very different family backgrounds, Marie noticed from the start that they shared many opinions and interests. Marie especially appreciated Andrew’s devotion to St. Thomas Aquinas, and she enjoyed learning about the great role St. Thomas Aquinas played in Andrew’s conversion.

Marie’s first impressions turned out to only scratch the surface of just how perfect Andrew would be for her.

“Now that we’re married,” Marie expresses, “I appreciate in a fuller way Andrew’s depth of character, as well as his guidance and protection.”

Andrew’s first impression of Marie was just as positive!

“I thought Marie looked very pretty in her profile picture and that her writing showed a lot of depth,” Andrew expresses. As he read through her profile, he was excited to see that she had an interest in Great Books just like him!

When Andrew decided to reach out to Marie, he had only been on CatholicMatch for 2 weeks!

Searching for a dating site with members who truly shared his values and were interested in finding a committed relationship, Andrew had resolved to try out CatholicMatch for just one month. When Andrew saw Marie’s profile, he thought she seemed like the exact sort of woman he was looking for––and he would soon learn that he was right! Andrew liked her profile and she liked his back. . . so he sent her a message!

“Our conversation flowed from there,” Andrew says.

After talking on CatholicMatch for about two weeks, Andrew suggested they meet in person. Marie was so excited to meet him and very happy and impressed that he was willing to travel over 1,000 miles to see her!

“Before our first date,” Marie says, “I remember praying to the Holy Spirit, asking Him to show me what to say; and our first date went well!” Marie felt comfortable talking with Andrew from the start, and she couldn’t wait to see him again!

Andrew also came away from their first date very excited to continue getting to know Marie, and he asked her on a second date.

The two quickly started to fall in love, and being apart was difficult. Between their second and third dates, Andrew traveled back to Louisiana to be initiated into the Church during the Easter Vigil! “It was a very long eight days not to see Marie!” Andrew says.

On their third date, Andrew and Marie went for a walk, and Andrew held Marie’s hand for the first time! As they started their walk, Marie shares, Andrew gave her some Easter candy––but before she could eat it she had to figure out a way to get rid of the gum she was chewing! Not really knowing what to do with it, she subtly hid it in her left hand.

“A little later,” Marie shares, “Andrew reached for my hand and I was still holding the gum. It was the first time that he held my hand, and I was thrilled.” But she had to admit to him that she had gum in the hand he was holding! “It was funny and awkward at the same time,” Marie says, “but Andrew handled it so gracefully!”

Soon after, on a beautiful spring day of 2021, Marie could tell that Andrew had something on his mind as they drove to Lake Superior for a picnic.

As she read aloud to him and talked with him during the car ride, she had a sense that something exciting might happen that day! The fact that this day was the anniversary of her baptism––which Andrew didn’t know at the time––added to Marie’s feeling that this day was going to be special.

Meanwhile, Andrew was hoping Marie had some idea of what his plans were for the day.

“I decided early on that Marie was the one I wanted to marry,” Andrew shares. “I looked for a scenic place to propose and found a lighthouse that overlooks Lake Superior. I decided it was the perfect place,” Andrew continues. Just one week before their picnic, Andrew had bought a ring!
When they arrived, they went to see the lighthouse up close, then headed for a spot with a great view of the lighthouse.

“I was looking at the view,” Marie continues,“and Andrew dropped to his knee and asked me to marry him. I accepted!” Afterwards, the newly engaged couple went to Marie’s home to celebrate with her family.

Just seven months after their first date, Marie and Andrew got married on October 30 of 2021!
As family and friends from near and far arrived in Marie’s hometown and awaited their first glimpse at the bride and groom, Marie, her mom, and her sisters got ready for the Mass and did their hair and makeup!

Meanwhile, Andrew and his friends were getting ready too. “I prepared with my friends in the morning and the building anticipation and excitement were fun for all of us,” he shares.

Going on a wild goose chase to find some cheese and crackers to snack on before the ceremony added to the fun!

Soon, it was time for the ceremony to begin. The priest celebrated an Extraordinary Form Latin Mass with a chant choir, and Marie was so happy to marry Andrew in her lifelong home parish!

Marie describes that it was a very spiritual moment when she looked into Andrew’s eyes as he said his vows. “We had only known each other for about seven months when we got married,” Marie says, “but for us, getting married soon was the best thing we could have chosen to do!”

Andrew recalls a special moment at the end of the ceremony: “Walking out of the Church after our wedding felt like a very triumphant moment, especially because everyone we know was lined up to clap for us.”

Reflecting on their experience as newlyweds, Marie shares that she feels closer to Andrew every day. The happiness that comes from being Andrew’s wife allows her to face any sufferings they encounter with joy. Experiencing suffering together, she explains, only brings them closer together.

“We trust in God’s merciful love that both sufferings and joys can help us to bond ever more closely,” Marie shares.

Andrew is so happy to be able to experience all aspects of life together with Marie, and he loves not having to say goodbye at the end of the day. Andrew shares that he will forever appreciate Marie’s sweetness, her virtue, and the good conversations they always have together.
At the end of August of 2022, Marie and Andrew will welcome their first child into the world! “We are thrilled that God has blessed us with new life!” Andrew shares.

Looking back to the day she joined CatholicMatch, Marie recalls that she did not expect to meet her future husband online. “The fact that Andrew and I met through CatholicMatch,” Marie expresses, “proves that God uses any means within His power to bring about His plans!”

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