In the summer of 2022, Emma had nearly given up on love altogether...
“I had been single my whole life and had kind of really lost hope,” she recalls.
But a persistent friend encouraged her to try something new: CatholicMatch!
At the time, Emma, an ABA therapist from Gilmer, Texas, was skeptical. Still, she downloaded the app—and within a few days, received her very first message.
“It was from a man my age who lived an hour from me,” she says.
That man was Jared, a plumber’s apprentice from Freeport, Louisiana. He had been on and off the app for about a year, trying to find something real.
“All the other dating apps sucked,” Jared says. “Most people were superficial—they didn’t want a spouse. I wanted to find someone with the same values as me.”
That desire for a faith-centered relationship guided them both toward something deeper.
Emma and Jared began talking and calling each other every day. After about a month of daily conversations, they decided it was the right time to meet in person.
“I finally agreed to meet in my town for our first date,” Emma says.
They met on August 7, 2022, and saw Minions: The Rise of Gru. After the movie, Emma gave Jared a tour of her town, and they went shopping for her grandmother’s birthday gift.
Her first impression was that he was a gentleman,” she said.
Jared was equally impressed with her. “She was well-mannered, shy, and patient.”
From that moment, their relationship blossomed.
Despite the drive between them, they made time to see each other—and prioritized their faith.
About a year into dating, Jared realized he was ready to take the next step. After a heartfelt conversation with Emma’s dad, while driving around town together, he received the blessing he hoped for. Although he had begun to plan the proposal, the actual moment came naturally.
“We were just listening to music together,” Jared says. “It felt right.”
In March 2024, Jared proposed in the quiet comfort of his home. And, Emma said yes!
Their wedding took place on Jan. 18, 2025, at St. Anthony’s in Longview, Texas—the place where they went on their second date. Family from both sides will be there to witness a love story rooted in shared values, patience, and prayer.
When asked what advice she would give to other single Catholics, Emma doesn’t hesitate.
“Don’t settle for someone who doesn’t share your morals or values. Don’t try to change someone—find someone who already walks with the Lord,” she says. “And folks say online dating doesn’t work… well, I say anything is possible if you trust in the Lord.”
“Without God and CatholicMatch, we would have never crossed paths with one another,” Emma said. “Folks say online dating doesn't work, but I say this: anything is possible if you trust in the Lord.”
For Emma, Jared wasn’t just the first person to message her—he became her first and only boyfriend, and now, her husband.
Their shared devotion to Mary and their commitment to building a life centered on faith continues to guide them as they begin the sacrament of marriage.
