The Undoer of Knots Is Helping Them Tie the Knot
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For Marie and Michael, it’s not only their shared faith, but also their deep devotion to Mary that has grounded and guided their relationship.
In terms of their relationship history, however, they had little in common. Marie had been on CatholicMatch for a number of years and had never married. Michael had been on the site in a matter of a few months and was a divorced dad with a daughter. They were apart in a more literal sense: Marie lived in Portland, Oregon while Michael was in Idaho.
A grueling first date
Nonetheless the two, both in their early 40s, connected on CatholicMatch in August 2017. They chatted online for a month and then agreed to meet up. For the first date, they aimed high: they decided to climb Table Rock, a 3,650-foot mountain in Boise.
“It was a joy to connect spiritually and be challenged at the same time because it was not an easy hike. We shared our devotion to Christ and pondered His road to Cavalry. Our picture at the top together was very inspiring,” Marie said.
One of the ways they enjoy spending time together is in prayer. Despite the distance, she said they are able to join in prayer almost every day. The rosary has been an especially important part of their prayer life, Marie noted.
The two were engaged on New Year’s Eve in their parish. “It was so wonderful to continue to return to our spiritual home with such a romantic memory so strongly a part of us,” Marie said.
That same month the two had begun a devotion to Our Lady Undoer of Knots, one of Mary’s lesser known titles. Michael said it all started when he received an email from The Catholic Company notifying them of a 21-day online devotional series.
Mary, untie the knots in our lives, please
“The reason that this devotions fits so well in our marriage prep and our background is the backstory of the devotion. The devotion started in Germany when a married couple was on the brink of divorce. This devotion is meant to allow Mary untie all the knots in our lives to allow us to be in full union with God. I see this devotion as a builder of our relationship as we continue to prepare for our Holy Union,” Michael said.
Michael himself has a broken marriage in his past. He says he initiated the annulment process once he signed up for CatholicMatch, and he was granted an annulment a few months later.
Preparing to become an instant mom
Marie isn’t just preparing to become a wife. She’s also going to become a step-mother to Michael’s daughter Keira. Michael credits Marie with helping his daughter also grow in her faith as she was getting ready to receive First Communion in late spring.
“Keira has been completely inviting to Marie and loves her. She does Keira’s hair, play games, shoot baskets, and they read together. They are forming a special bond,” Michael said.
“We are also grateful for the grace as we see our families truly being knit together and becoming united,” Marie added. “We are becoming one family.”
Michael has fifty percent custody of his daughter and could not move. Instead, Marie agreed to leave her home in Portland and relocate to Idaho after they are married. Michael said he appreciates how difficult it will be for Marie to leave both her real estate business and her family back in Oregon.
“Our faith and devotion has made this time of many changes manageable,” he said.
The perfect place to get married
In keeping with their deep devotion to Mary, they are set to be married at the Grotto of Our Sorrowful Mother on July 21, 2018. “The grotto is a perfect place for us to celebrate our sacrament. The serene feeling I get there with Mary in the cliff provides much comfort. Both of our devotions to Mary make this a great venue for the wedding,” Michael said.
Just months away from their wedding, Michael and Marie were also grateful to CatholicMatch for the role it played in bringing them together.
Michael said,
“Thank you again for your site. It has truly changed my life for the better.”
“We cannot thank CatholicMatch enough for helping us find each other,” Marie added. “Honestly, I had begun to lose faith that I would.”