Richard and JoAnn were both looking for second opportunities at lifetime love. Richard’s first wife had passed away suddenly, and JoAnn was coming out of a bad marriage that would be annulled by the Catholic Church. The desire for another chance was just one of many things that brought them together on CatholicMatch.
Both lived in the center of Wisconsin, and were within fifty miles of each other. Thus, it only took one week after the first “smile” emotigram was exchanged on CatholicMatch for Richard and JoAnn to be meeting in person for the first time.
“Richard was very attentive from the beginning,” JoAnn said. “We found that we have so many things in common,” The first and most important was, of course, their shared Catholic faith. Both are active in their churches, and JoAnn had volunteered as a hospice chaplain for several years after she retired from teaching in 2003. Which, by coincidence, was something else they had in common—Richard was also a teacher and had retired the same year.
It didn’t take long for Richard and JoAnn to realize they had something special together. They could have fun doing anything from spending a quiet night home watching TV and doing jigsaw puzzles, to planning a trip. “We’ve planned trips to Salt Lake City, Missouri, Jamaica and Europe,” JoAnn said. “These are just a few of the places we’ve been to or plan to visit.” They also enjoy dancing and are taking lessons together.
Something else Richard and JoAnn have in common is an appreciation for Red Lobster. It was already their favorite restaurant, and now has another reason to recommend itself. It was here, in January 2013, that Richard proposed marriage and JoAnn accepted. They were married six months later within the regular Sunday Mass.
“It was a beautiful way to celebrate with not only our friends and family,” but our faith community as well. “Our friends, family and children could not be happier for us. I never thought anyone could love me so much.” Its happiness that is well-deserved for them both, as a new period of life and love has begun.
