A second chance at a loving marriage was exactly what God had planned for them both.
When Diana, a widow of 9 years, felt the time was right to meet someone, she signed up for CatholicMatch. At around the same time, Jerry, a widower for 4 years, also signed up. They both had wonderful marriages previously, and it was something they missed in life. Each in their 60’s, they both recognized a longing to be with someone again.
“We both have a strong faith in God, and we wanted to make sure that we found someone with a strong faith as well.”
Though each experienced some apprehensions about meeting someone online (“people can say anything online”), they found each other on the site after about three months, and then communicated virtually for six weeks.
Their strong faith and love for their families were initial points of attraction for each other.
Diana felt like she had learned a lot about Jerry and was excited to finally meet him face-to-face. They chose a breakfast date, and ended up talking for over two hours! Their common experience of losing their first spouses after about 40 years of marriage helped them better relate to one another. “It’s great because we can talk about our spouses and we both understand.”
As their relationship grew, their attraction to one another did too. Diana remarks that Jerry’s kindness is one of her favorite qualities. “He is so loving to everyone.” Jerry is an avid bicyclist, and Diana hadn’t been on a bike for 50 years before meeting him. She didn’t own a bike, so they went to a bike store so she could purchase one. After finding a great bike, Diana went to pay for it but discovered that Jerry had already purchased it for her. “What an incredibly sweet man!”
After buying the bike, Diana tried diligently to ride it. Jerry remarks: “I cannot tell you the number of times she fell off her bike and got hurt. But she never complained and always got back on, even when she was bloodied and bruised! What a trooper!” Now, three years into marriage, they ride eight miles together almost every day.
A spontaneous proposal began a grand adventure together.
About seven months into their dating relationship, on Halloween, Jerry came over to Diana’s home to help hand out candy. Very casually, Jerry mentioned to Diana that they should get married. “You could say it was spontaneous,” Diana remarks, but she of course said ‘yes’. However, when Jerry’s son-in-law heard how he proposed, he helped him arrange a more romantic proposal with candles and rose petals. “It was very sweet. Of course, I had already said yes to the first proposal,” says Diana.
Three months before the wedding, however, Diana had to have back surgery. Two weeks later, she was diagnosed with kidney cancer and had to have one of her kidneys removed. Fortunately, the surgery got all of the cancer out, but for both Diana and Jerry, it was a very scary time.
The two married on June 3, 2017. It was a beautiful day, filled with love and happiness, and shared with friends and family. Diana and Jerry each have adult children from their previous marriages who have supported their new marriage together. In fact, on their wedding day, Diana’s two sons walked her down the aisle, and Diana’s daughter was her Matron of Honor. Jerry remarks that the best part of the day for him was bringing all their family and friends together, and knowing that he would spend the rest of his life “with this amazing woman.”
Three years into married life, their love and life continue to grow.
Of course, this being both Jerry and Diana’s second marriage, they each had to make a few adjustments to their new lives together. Diana admits that it was difficult sometimes, in the beginning, to not compare this marriage with her first one. But now, they are both so happy together. “Being with this wonderful many every day is the highlight of marriage for me.”
Diana is a chef, and Jerry admits that he really appreciates her great cooking. He especially loves Diana’s love of life, which has really gotten him out of his own comfort zone. They enjoy many fun adventures together, traveling several times a year, hiking, and bicycling. They are also part of a music group together, performing at local senior centers and nursing homes.
May God grant His abundant blessings for a lifetime of love between Jerry and Diana!
