I accidentally came across Catholic Match in January 2007, while I was searching the internet for Catholic websites. I had always been a critic of online match services and didn’t believe that you could meet someone on the internet, but you already know where this story ends up! I not only searched, but was immediately drawn to a picture of Andrew, who was handsome and had the cutest dimples. After several weeks of talking we met on February 13th, 2007 and began forming a friendship that slowly blossomed into deeper feelings of love.
On October 1st, 2008, the feast day of St. Therese, I got in my car to go to work and found a single red rose on my dash board. St. Therese is my patron saint and has always played a large role in my life, so I thought my mom had put the rose there, because she knew how much the day meant to me.
I (Meghan) arrived to work at a local Catholic school, where it had been planned that I would give a lesson on St. Therese that day. Just before the lesson began the children came in from recess each carrying a single flower for me. After all of them gave me a flower I had a huge bouquet. I thanked them for making my day even more special and thought these were just random acts of kindness. I had no idea what was really happening!
After I got off work, I walked out to my car and was completely surprised to find three dozen red roses scattered all over the inside. I ran inside to tell the teacher I worked with, who grabbed her camera and came out with me to see the car. I was so excited that I kept laughing and telling her I had figured it out. It was Andrew! Everything started making sense and I was so excited at the thought that he might propose.
When I arrived home, there were another two dozen roses on my front porch. There was no sign of Andrew, so then the real waiting began. I had a class that night at school, but didn’t have to leave for another few hours. My brother and sister-in-law were visiting and I told them the whole story and my sister-in-law shared my excitement but told me not to get my hopes up, just in case it wasn’t the day he asked me. Then I went to my class, which was on the first day of the term, so I had never met the teachers or other students. When I walked into the room I saw a wrapped bouquet of yet another two dozen roses lying on a table. I explained the story of my day and I couldn’t wait for that class to be over, so that I could find out how my fairytale day would end!
At 9:15 pm, I walked out of class and found Andrew standing by the doorway holding a single rose. He asked if I was missing one and I told him that I could not possibly be! He walked me to my car and I laughed, because I noticed that my car was replaced by his! He assured me that my car was fine and said he’d better give me a ride home. As we drove, I told him all about my day as he pretended that he didn’t know anything. I was excitedly anticipating whatever was to come next, but still nothing could stop the butterflies I was feeling! As we drove towards my house, we both were thinking about how our lives were about to change.
Andrew ended up pulling into my church and told me that he wanted to spend some time in the Adoration Chapel. This is the part I love, because it proves to me how much Andrew loves Christ and how lucky I am to have found someone who would think of taking me to Adoration at such an important and special time. When I entered the Adoration Chapel, I saw two dozen red roses lying beneath the alter, where the Eucharist was exposed. I joined Andrew in the pew and knelt before our Lord. We were the only two people in the chapel and I was so nervous that I could hardly manage to pray, but at the same time I had so many things I wanted to talk to God about. Then I realized that Andrew would not take me to be in the presence of our Lord and then somewhere else to propose. I looked at Andrew and he told me that he was ready whenever I was. I knew that statement had a double meaning! We said our final prayers and as I stood up and turned towards the door, Andrew said my name.
I turned around and Andrew began to tell me everything that a girl could ever want to hear. He said that God brought me into his life and he wanted to bring me to the Adoration Chapel to thank God in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Then he got down on his knee, held up the most beautiful ring ever and asked me to marry him… and I said YES!
Afterwards, we consecrated our engagement to St. Therese. Andrew said that he wanted to honor this special feast day by showering me with roses throughout the day, a miracle St. Therese is known for. We gathered up the roses in the chapel and left them at the foot of the Mary statue because we both felt she had brought us together from separate consecrations we had made to her and we wanted to honor our Mother.
On our drive home I found out that my dad, brother, sister-in-law, future in-laws, co-worker, professor and priest, all knew about the proposal! They all helped to make our special day come together and had done a fantastic job of keeping it a secret! With their help, I received nine dozen roses, another bouquet of flowers, a gorgeous ring and a fiancé!
Andrew is amazing. I pray that all of you who read this either find or have someone like him. He is a true gentleman, a genuine servant of God and a reflection of Christ. He has never been anything but patient and loving with me and he is my best friend. I can’t wait to start the rest of my life with him through the Sacrament of Marriage.
It is all thanks to God and a little help from Catholic Match, that I found the person I am meant to spend forever with. I can’t wait to marry Andrew and someday raise a strong, large Catholic family with him! We are looking forward to having a traditional Catholic Mass at our August wedding at the Grotto in Portland, Oregon. Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare for Holy Matrimony and know that you are in ours!
Because of Him,
Meghan & Andrew
