For Paul and Stephanie, it was their professional aspirations, in addition to their faith, that drew them to each other.
When they met through CatholicMatch, Stephanie was a 23-year-old graduate student working towards her master’s degree to become a speech language pathologist, to help children who have special needs.
Both had career aspirations that involved serving others.
“I wanted to pursue being a speech language pathologist in order to help little ones find their voice. My faith is very much a part of my job. I constantly pray for help to guide a family or help plan my therapy sessions to best help the child. I get to see so much of God’s love in my job by being a part of helping little ones grow. I believe my devotion to Mary led me to where my talents could best help others,” Stephanie said.
She, in turn, was attracted by Paul’s commitment to service through his career. When she met him, Paul, also in his mid-20s, was employed in the health care industry as a nurse. His dream was to continue to serve others by becoming a business owner.
“He was always talking about wanting to be successful, to be in a position to volunteer our time and help others. I loved to hear how caring and loving he was toward his family and others. I knew very early that he had a big heart,” Stephanie said. (Paul has since achieved his dream, becoming the owner of an appliance and junk removal business in Arizona.)
Their dedication to helping others reflected their faith. Stephanie was impressed with Paul’s devotion to the Mass. He admired her humility.
Neither were intimidated by online dating, since they hadn't found other Catholics to date in their area.
Though some people are wary of online dating, Paul decided CatholicMatch was a good place to find a partner, given that other people were using the site for the same purpose—and paying for it.
Stephanie joined after finding it difficult to meet someone in her everyday life. “I had a hard time finding young Catholics to date. I loved going to daily Mass and adoration but never found opportunities to start talking to young Catholic men,” Stephanie said.
Stephanie had joined a few months before she received Paul’s message, which actually arrived on the last week of her subscription, in February 2016. They chatted for two weeks on the site and then texted and talked on the phone for another few weeks before meeting in person.
At the end of their first date, Stephanie had a sign that Paul was the one.
For their first date, the Arizona natives played miniature golf.
“On our first date we didn’t even feel that nervous just because we already talked a lot over the phone. For me, it was such a relief to know that, as far as our faith, we were on the same page,” Stephanie said.
At the end of the date, Stephanie received a sign they were meant to be together: she noticed that Paul had a Catholic radio sticker on his truck. “I had always listened to Catholic radio and by listening to it, I felt that God always had a way of answering me. The minute I saw the sticker it confirmed my feelings that this was God’s plan,” Stephanie said.
Afterwards she called one of her friends. “I think this was my last first date,” Stephanie told her.
It was clear that they were meant to be.
By the second or third date, Paul also knew that they were meant for each other.
“I felt 100 percent happy and comfortable,” Paul said.
“We get along very well and enjoy being with each other. When we do face difficulties with each other, we quickly resolve them within an hour because neither of us likes to be upset and we communicate well,” Paul added.
The couple got engaged in May 2016 and was married on February 11, 2017.
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