Leslie, a 28-year-old Montreal native, and Nicholas, a 27-year-old from London, Ontario, both are deeply rooted in their Catholic faith. For them, faith wasn’t just a part of their lives; it was the guiding force shaping their values, aspirations, and the kind of love they sought.
They each joined Catholic Match in 2020, seeking a connection that was more than just surface-level.
Nick was drawn to the site because he found it was easy to be open about his religious beliefs to a community of people who were on the same page spiritually.
For Leslie, it was about finding someone with whom she could build a life centered around faith and family, and who also shared her dreams of raising a family devoted to God.
Their connection blossomed online over a period of a month and a half, during which they engaged in heartfelt conversations, shared prayers, and even attended Mass together virtually. They found that they shared a mutual devotion to Saint John Paul II, and were both drawn to his teachings on the Theology of the Body.
From the beginning, Leslie said, “it was super easy to see ourselves building something together.”
Meeting in the throes of a global pandemic did have its challenges though...
They were unable to meet in person for over a month due to strict lockdowns in Canada. Yet, the foundation of their relationship was laid on the pillars of mutual respect, shared values, and an unwavering faith in God.
Despite living in different cities, Leslie and Nick’s connection deepened. In December 2020, Nick made a bold move, driving eight hours through a Canadian winter storm to visit Leslie and her family. This meeting, filled with prayers and Mass at the St. Joseph Oratory in Montreal, marked the beginning of a relationship that would soon transcend the bounds of distance.
On their initial outing, Leslie presented Nick to Saint Joseph through prayer, seeking divine guidance for their budding relationship.
A faithful believer in God's plan, Leslie implored the Lord for a sign that Nick was the one destined to be her life partner. Unbeknownst to her, Nick was uttering the same prayer to Saint Joseph, aligning their hearts and intentions in a serendipitous moment of spiritual connection.
During their romantic journey, Nick penned a collection of ten deeply heartfelt letters to Leslie, pouring out his affection and admiration for her. Within these letters, he earnestly conveyed his intentions of marrying her.
Then, in a poignant moment in July 2022, amidst the serene gardens of St. Joseph Oratory, Nick knelt down on one knee along a Stations of the Cross walking path, where they were immersed in prayer, and asked Leslie to be his wife.
Their wedding, a culmination of their love story, took place on August 5, 2023.
The couple marked their commitment to each other with a weekend-long wedding celebration, including a traditional Cameroonian wedding at Leslie’s family home, symbolizing the union of their families, and a Catholic Nuptial Mass at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral in Montreal.
This intricate ceremony involved active participation from both the bride and groom's families.
In Cameroon, the journey to marriage involves a series of steps, the primary one being the ritual known as "door knocking." During this significant event, the groom and his family visited the bride's family to formally announce their intention to marry their daughter. As a symbolic gesture, Nick carried wood into the home, signifying the bride's traditional role as the family's cook and demonstrating his ability to provide for their family. Nick was also required to “identify the bride,” a Cameroonian tradition in which several veiled women are brought in. The groom playfully selects his bride among them, leading to jubilant celebrations when he correctly identifies her.
“Although we come from different backgrounds, we still saw we were going in the same direction and could help each other reach the highest level spiritually and with our family,” Leslie said.
The culmination of their wedding festivities took place at the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral in Montreal, a breathtaking replica of St. Peter's in Rome, albeit on a smaller scale. This Catholic wedding Mass beautifully blended their cultural traditions with their shared faith, creating a memorable and meaningful beginning to their married life.
Nick acknowledged the need for self-improvement during his early days on CatholicMatch.
Recognizing that personal growth was essential before seeking a life partner, he took a hiatus from online dating to focus on his inner self. He emphasizes the importance of readiness among single men, urging them to ensure they bring their best selves into the dating arena. Nick and Leslie both advocate entrusting one’s romantic journey to God, emphasizing the significance of surrendering control.
“When I began seriously thinking of marriage, one piece of advice I followed to just abandon yourself to His will,” Leslie said. Although she acknowledged that it is cliché, she encouraged others to always “think about God’s Will first,” as this advice has transformed her own love life and led to her finding her spouse in Nick.
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