They Both Thought It Was Worth One Last Try
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David and Agnes both knew the anguish of a failed relationship.
Each had been in serious, long-term relationships they thought would end in marriage. Starting over again felt incredibly difficult, and CatholicMatch seemed like a last-ditch effort for these two 30-somethings.
Agnes had to get a lot of encouragement from her sister to get out and start dating again. Agnes thought CatholicMatch could be the easiest way to try dating again without hurriedly committing to a full-on relationship.
Dave, on the other hand, resisted the idea of online dating. He felt dating people in his circle offered him the best chance of meeting someone. "Unfortunately, because of my age—36 or 37 at the time—most of the people I knew with friends and acquaintances were older and already married or in committed relationships."
David realized that CatholicMatch might be his best bet for finding someone.
"It was very difficult for both of us to start over again, and this was really the last chance we were willing to take," David and Agnes reveal.
Candor caught their eye!
In August of 2009, Dave and Agnes noticing one another's profile on CatholicMatch, and they were struck by how honestly the other wrote. They started talking, and it wasn't long before they began discussing what they would do on their first date. Sadly, the death of David's grandfathers delayed their first meeting. Agnes's patience and willingness to wait until David felt ready to meet endeared her to him.
There was an immediate connection...
In September of 2009, a month after meeting on CatholicMatch, the couple met at a popular restaurant in downtown Chicago for dinner. Afterward, they went to the Second City comedy club. The date went off well, so David and Agnes made plans to meet again. On their second meeting, they visited the Art Institute of Chicago, and they shared dinner together. David reveals that they kissed for the first time at Rainbow Beach on Lake Michigan.
Thinking back to other sweet memories, Agnes fondly recalls that David made her tea on one of their first dates together. "I thought it was so sweet and funny because most guys would want to take you out for a drink and not make you a cup of tea," she shares. "He really had no idea that this was a tradition in my family."
Three years of dating.
The couple realized that they had so many of the same goals and likes and dislikes. They especially enjoyed traveling together, and their travels have spanned the globe including Rome, Egypt, Jerusalem, and more.
Like any relationship, there was more than just fun. During the three years that they dated, they had to overcome several obstacles. "To begin with, we wanted to move to Michigan, and that required us both to find new jobs," she explains. Dave had to sell his home in Chicago, and we had to find and renovate a new home there."
A too public proposal...
In October of 2012, David made plans to propose to Agnes. They were at a favorite restaurant when he got down on his knee to pop the question in front of the other dinners and waitstaff. In hindsight, he says he wouldn't do it that way again because of the loud bustling restaurant and the many onlookers. Agnes, who's shy and a private person, detests making a scene in public. Even though she felt excited at the time, she still ribs David about their overly public proposal.
A gorgeous, St. Lucia wedding!
David made sure not to make the same mistake twice. He helped Agnes plan a private ceremony. Agnes and David decided on a destination wedding on the French Island of Saint Lucia in the Caribbean island. Neither of them spoke Creole French, so they told the hotel that they wanted a Catholic wedding, and the hotel set everything in motion for them. On May 17, 2014, they were joined in Holy Matrimony on the beach by the pastor of the Church of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Laborie, St. Lucia.
"The two of us had a private ceremony with only family as witnesses. This was not a large celebration or anything like that, but it was meaningful to us," Agnes shares.
After spending time on the island, the couple honeymooned in the Holy Land. "We just love spending time with each other. Agnes and I are best friends and laugh every day together," David says. "We have been around the world together and are looking forward to our next trip."
Still going strong over a decade later...
David's happy to report that after nearly 11 years, he and Agnes are still together and very much in love! "We are both very grateful to CatholicMatch for bringing us together and have recommended your services to other people," they say.