C.J's Story: I was most hesitant to get involved with any Internet site for online dating! In fact, I really was not interested in anything more than friendship on this site with other Catholic members.
Neither Michael or I came up as matches due to the fact that we both put the same distance factor in our searches. I didn't want to get involved with any LDR and later discovered that Michael had the same feelings. It was funny when I was visiting my sister in Colorado that she removed my criteria of distance and found Michael's profile. She said, "Look at this man, he seems like someone you would get along with since you both have the same interests!" I took a look and thought he didn't look bad, seemed to fit according to the Church teaching and my interest was peaked. My sister said, "Oh, look, Michael is on line now....let's chat with him!" I was scared to pieces and didn't even know how to operate the chat feature on the site. With my sister beside me, she started chatting with my words and I watched what she was doing. We giggled and had quite a time during our first "chat" with Michael. He had no idea that I had a secretary doing my typing for me until it reached a point when I told sis' it was past her bedtime and I could take over the controls of the chat feature myself!
Long story short, we communicated through emails and phone calls for over a year. Last January Michael came up from Arkansas and visited Kentucky. He was back again in about eight weeks to propose.
Michael's Story: Both Charli and I had our parameters set for about 250 miles max for contacts, so we were not matched. I was online one night when I received an emotigram from C.J. #. Since I feel it is polite to reply to such contacts, I emoted back in my usual two or three word acknowledgement. She sent me a message then and I replied. This went on for about 1/2 hour when she signed off. (I was told several months later that I was chatting with two females for the first few minutes of conversation.)
When Charli signed off, I went to check her profile and I liked what I saw, but she lived 600 miles away. She matched everything that I was looking for, even though I was in Catholic Match to just look around. I had been single since 1981 and was looking for someone for a friend. We emailed and called each other from Dec 2008 to Jan 2009 when she asked if I wanted to meet her. I had already decided to let her make the first move.
We saw each other for five days over New Year's 2009. The second day, I knew this was the woman I had been waiting for. I was not ready to leave her after only five days, but I did. God answers prayers according to when He thinks they will have the best impact.
At the end of March and beginning of April, I went back for another visit of ten days. The second day we were at the campground, I ambushed her with a proposal of marriage during a Cribbage game. The first time she just said "what?", so I asked her a second time to marry me. Again, I received a "what?" in response. I said "are you going to make me ask a third time", so I did, and again she said "wha...yes". During these two or three minutes she looked like a deer caught in headlights. I cancelled my subscription and erased my profile when I returned to Arkansas; I had found my love.
I said now that that was done we needed to see the parish priest. What she didn't know was that I had brought all necessary papers for the counseling session. Fr Jacob was also surprised. This was the second "ambush" I had set up in case she said "yes".
I am going back on the 25th of May for another 19 days. I will be taking a Ruby engagement ring back with me, even though she said she didn't need one. I had one made up just for her. (I had already given her the band from my cigar for a ring.) This Ruby ring will replace the decade finger rosary, that she wears, that I always carried in my pocket. This LDR will present some problems buying a house and getting ready for the wedding. There will be several more long trips before I get all my things moved and into storage, and sell my house.
A practical note to CM members--The cell plan we both have is a true blessing since we speak together several times a day. The LDR does take patience and lots of conversations. Neither of us had the serious desire to meet a mate but primarily just increase local friendships. God had a different plan for each of us and He used CM as a tool in bringing us together as a couple.
Here's wishing everyone good luck in their future on CM. Enjoy the Forums and don't be surprised what can happen when you just enjoy this site. Our Father is watching over us and our expanding love for each other.
