Leticia 30, is from Aubrey, Texas and Javier, 31, lives in Monterrey, Mexico, but that didn't stop them from getting to know each other. They had their first Skype date about a month after they connected on CatholicMatch.
One of the first things they had in common was their favorite saints—they even planned to talk about St. Maximilian Kolbe for their first date.
Javier had a feeling about Leticia when he came across her profile in his matches. “Her profile was very interesting and I had a feeling that she was the one for me,” said Javier. “I saw it as a sign that God led me to her. I loved her pictures, especially the ones with her family. Her pictures showed her confidence and God's love for her family which translated into unity, values, love, joy, and family communication.”
Leticia was drawn to many of the same things about Javier's profile. “I also enjoyed seeing pictures of his family in his profile; it seemed to indicate that he valued family as much I do,” she said. “There was something unique and special about him. Something that I could not describe or understand. Maybe it was God whispering to me and saying, ‘This is the guy.’” She also loved that he agreed with all of the Church’s teachings.
Being hundreds of miles apart, the two had to get to know each other before they made the leap of meeting face to face. They chatted daily on CatholicMatch and asked each other simple things, like “What kind of music do you like?” and “How was your day?”
“We always had good communication since we started corresponding on CatholicMatch and the same happened once we started talking on Skype,” said Javier.
They both enjoy the small things in life, and this helps them to appreciate each other online and cherish their conversations together. They Skype and talk on the phone every single day.
Three months after meeting online, Javier decided to make the trip to Texas for the weekend.
“That day was really special because Javier asked me to be his girlfriend. It was a wonderful date,” said Leticia. “We both were praying to God for our first in-person date before it happened. When the day finally arrived, we both felt in our hearts saying yes to starting our relationship was the next best step.”
Their first date was going to Easter Vigil together and that is when Javier met Leticia’s parents. “It was an amazing weekend because he got to meet my family and my church friends,” said Leticia.
They are not engaged yet, but they have talked about it. “We are dating with a purpose,” said Leticia. “We both trust in God and we want our relationship to grow stronger with God’s help and guidance. We both trust in Jesus and we know he will let us know when to take the next step.”
After one month of dating they prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet via Skype. “Our homes are thousands of kilometers away, but we stay connected through the day via WhatsApp, Skype, telephone and email. This helps to keep us closer,” said Javier. “However, I also fly to see Leticia two times a month.”
“We always say that our long-distance relationship helps us to grow in the virtue of patience,” she added.
Although they are a new couple, Leticia and Javier are growing closer every day through keeping communication strong. Talking on the phone and through Skype helps, but they also travel a lot.
"I had the opportunity to fly to Monterrey to meet Javier's parents and siblings last month and I hope to go back again soon. Above all we unite in prayer and we trust in God's guidance. We know this is not a typical relationship but we make it work thanks to the help of God and our families that are very supportive."
It helps that they keep their faith a foundation of their relationship. Their favorite prayer is “Jesus I trust in you,” something they both loved even before they met. Oftentimes, they will end their phone calls or Skype dates with a prayer. “We say goodbye by praying a special prayer that Javier’s mom used to tell him when he was little,” Leticia explained.
Javier agrees that there is a strong bond with Leticia: “She is very beautiful inside and out. She is a very special person. Many of the things I like, she likes,” said Javier. “Plus she is Catholic and loves Jesus Christ, the Virgin of Guadalupe and all the saints. We also have many things in common and we think alike on many issues.”
"We both are creative, we like to learn, we love classical music. We like to help others in need and try to be close to God through prayer and Mass," Leticia added.
“I feel like I can be myself when I am with him. I just feel joyful and peaceful when we are together,” said Leticia. “He is my gift from God and every time I wake up a thank God for another day. I also thank Him for having Javier in my life."
Leticia and Javier consider themselves a team of three—the two of them and God working together.
"Before meeting Javier, I used to say that finding a good holy young man was like 'finding a needle in a haystack,'" Leticia said. "And thanks to God I found that 'needle in a haystack.' I found the man I have prayed for since I was little. I know in my heart he is the man I want to spend my life with."
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