Deciding to date again was a big step for John and Katy, who had both lost their spouses to chronic illnesses with brain injury.
Despite signing up for a dating app, neither John nor Katy had been actively searching for a partner but wanted a quality friendship instead.
Because of their shared experience of having been widowed, the two were able to relate to each other on a deep level, forming the “foundation of a meaningful friendship.”
Katy decided to join CatholicMatch in 2023 when she began to realize that she missed having conversations about the Catholic faith with other adults. Looking to foster this type of connection, Katy decided to seek out Catholic Adult Prayer Groups and instead encountered a persistent ad for CatholicMatch and eventually she joined!
Similarly, John found CatholicMatch after a Google search inspired by a commercial for another Christian dating site.
He chose to set up a profile at recommendations from friends and colleagues and was excited by the chance to meet quality Catholic women.
John described Katy’s profile and photos as something that “set her apart from all the rest.” As he has gotten to know Katy, John has come to appreciate her openness, sincerity, strength, energy, and values.
Likewise, Katy was initially drawn to John’s sense of adventure and “commitment to a faith-filled life” and has grown to love him for his patience and understanding. The couple also noted that their shared love for God and the Catholic faith as well as their devotion to family have greatly contributed to their strong bond.
After for exchanging messages for a few weeks, John met Katy for dinner and drinks at her favorite restaurant across the street from her workplace.
Katy was initially reluctant to go on the date, but soon found herself engrossed in conversation and knew that “John was someone [she] was going to be able to relate to.” In fact, the conversation was so great that when the evening ended, John knew a second date was “obviously needed.”
As their relationship progressed, John often surprised Katy with flowers. One evening, John noticed a taller arrangement next to the one he had sent Katy on her kitchen table. John remembers having a conversation with Katy’s younger daughter, Mia, where he asked about where the taller arrangement came from. The only thing that Katy’s daughter said about the flowers was that John should have purchased a bigger arrangement. The tall flowers in question didn’t belong to Katy at all—they were for Katy’s older daughter!
The next day, Katy came home to a flower arrangement that nearly reached the ceiling when placed on the table. The card read “Mia, Hope these are big enough. Katy, I know what you said last night.” What Katy had said, or rather whispered, was “I love you.”
When John decided to propose, he picked out an engagement ring with five diamonds—one for each of Katy’s five children.
This decision was especially meaningful because it showed that John’s proposal was not only to Katy, but to her family as well.
John chose to ask Katy to marry him at a place where she would feel calm and relaxed, which ended up being Katy’s back deck. The spot was perfect, and Katy responded to John’s question with an immediate and enthusiastic “yes!” Katy shared that she is looking forward to finally introducing John as her “husband” and finds great comfort in the title.
John and Katy were married on Friday, December 27th, which is the feast day of St. John the Apostle—John’s name saint. The couple eagerly awaits “years of joy and love” despite challenges that will inevitably occur.
They pray that their marriage will draw each other and their loved ones closer to God.
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