Betty was looking for hope. The 23-year-old single mother escaped an abusive relationship, but had her doubts about finding a spouse on CatholicMatch.
“I hadn’t been married, so I truly believed they [CatholicMatch members] would look down on me for being a single mother.”
Betty’s attitude changed when she got a message from Matthew.
Matthew, a 29-year-old from North Dakota, told Betty that he had been hurt in the past too and was happy to know there were still good women out there.
When Betty realized that Matthew lived 1500 miles away she assumed they would just be friends, but was touched by his thoughtful messages.
After corresponding regularly with Betty for a while, Matthew decided to take a chance. He suggested to Betty that if neither person started dating anyone locally by the summer of 2013, they should meet.
Betty had the courage to suggest meeting sooner.
When Betty told her family that she was going to meet Matthew in person, her Dad was reluctant. He suggested to Betty that she get a group of friends together when it was time to meet him.
After close to a year of long-distance correspondence, Matthew got a thumbs-up from Betty.
But Matthew wasn’t discouraged.
“He asked me if I would just meet him in front of the police station with my father so he could give me some flowers.”
That creative response motivated Betty to get a group of friends together so they could meet.
Matthew, and his friend Michael, rode their motorcycles to visit Betty.
When Matthew and Betty finally met, they were able to share their Catholic values: “I called Michael (Matthew’s friend) our guardian angel since he was there for Matthew,” she said.
They had a great first meeting and after Sunday Mass, Matthew kissed Betty on the hand and got on his motorcycle to return home.
The next morning Betty realized how much she missed Matthew. “I started crying and my body hurt,” she admitted. “I was so frustrated I wasn’t going to see him again.”
Matthew texted Betty inviting her to North Dakota because he wanted her know he was there, not just for her, but for her daughter as well.
A week later Betty was on a plane to North Dakota.
The journey is just starting for Matthew and Betty. Long distance relationships are tough, but they stay in touch by calling and texting. They hope to get Skype, so they can video chat and they are planning future visits.
Betty's daughter is excited for her own chance to meet Matthew.
