They Got Married In the Cathedral Her Parents Had Been Married In 59 Years Prior!

Chris and Melissa's love story transcends geographical boundaries, reaffirming the power of faith and destiny in bringing two souls together.

Hailing from different corners of the United States, Chris from Florida and Melissa from California, they met on CatholicMatch in September of 2020 and ever since, they have grown closer together, united not only by love but also by their unwavering faith.

For both Chris and Melissa, faith plays a central role in their lives.

Melissa, born and raised Catholic in Chicago, found solace and strength in her faith during challenging times, including her prior divorce and annulment. She became a daily communicant and relied on God’s strength to guide her down the right path, which eventually paved the way for her journey back into the world of dating. Her faith was her guiding light, leading her towards a path where she would eventually meet Chris.

Chris's faith journey took a similar trajectory.

Raised as Catholic during his youth in Texas, he drifted away from his faith during his years in the military. However, later in life, he rekindled his connection with his Catholic roots, discovering a profound passion for traditional Catholicism.

Their paths to love intersected when they both joined CatholicMatch. Chris, driven by a desire to find someone who shared his faith, was on the site for six years before meeting Melissa. 

Melissa, encouraged by her daughter to return to the dating world after taking several years to reflect on and improve her own life following her divorce, joined CatholicMatch after seeing an ad for the site in her local church’s bulletin.

She wanted a meaningful, purposeful relationship and felt that CatholicMatch offered a unique opportunity to find someone who shared her values.

Melissa was on the verge of freezing her account when she received a message from Chris.

Their initial conversation sparked a connection that would lead to countless hours of conversation and a blossoming relationship, even though they were separated by distance and time zones. It was a testament to their commitment and the depth of their connection that they persevered, finding ways to communicate and get to know each other better.

Their first in-person meeting occurred in November 2020, two months after they had begun talking through the website.

Despite the challenges of long-distance dating, their connection was undeniable. 

“When we sat down and started talking, it was like talking with my best friend,” Melissa said. “It was just so comfortable and meant-to-be, it was another sign.”

Chris recalled their first date with fondness, a night that initially ended early but was later extended by the couple’s mutual desire to continue getting to know each other. After initially saying goodnight to each other after dinner, the couple met again on the beach and enjoyed a nighttime stroll, leading to hours of conversation that felt like talking to a best friend.

Melissa said that she never experienced any profound moment of spiritual revelation before meeting Chris, but that God has sent so many clear signs to her since she first met him that she was sure that they would eventually be married. Their relationship continued to evolve, and when Melissa’s boss offered her the opportunity to relocate, she made a life-changing decision to move to Florida to be closer to Chris.  

At that point, Chris and Melissa began to discuss engagement and marriage.

They both agreed that they wanted to do things the right way, which meant getting married before building a home together in the Sunshine State.

Their engagement was a beautiful moment on the beach, marked by a custom-designed ring that incorporated the birthstones of Melissa's children, symbolizing the blending of their families. Chris's proposal was a heartfelt surprise to Melissa, as well, at the same location where the couple had shared a previous romantic date.

Their wedding was a family affair, with Melissa's children, niece, and nephew playing important roles in the ceremony. They were married at Saint Hyacinth Basilica in Chicago, in the same church where Melissa's parents had exchanged vows 59 years earlier, a poignant tribute to her parents. They even recreated some of Melissa’s own parents’ wedding photos at the beautiful Cathedral!

“It couldn’t have been more beautiful,” Chris reflected. Although Melissa’s mother was sadly unable to attend the wedding due to her passing several months before the nuptials, Melissa and Chris both expressed how they were extremely grateful that her mother was able to meet Chris and spend time with them before she passed away.

As they embark on their married life together, Chris and Melissa cherish the knowledge that they have found their soul mate and best friend in each other. 

“Just knowing that he is my soul mate and best friend” is the best part of married life, according to Melissa.

They offer words of encouragement to others on similar journeys, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God’s plan and staying persistent when looking for love.