Jennifer, 28, was completing a five-month internship in Chile as part of her graduate studies at Boston College. Hoping to meet Catholic friends during her limited time abroad, she signed up for a one-month subscription to CatholicMatch in April 2017. “I was open to meeting someone,” she admits. “But I never thought it would actually happen that way.”
Restricted by a tight budget, Jennifer promised herself she would only purchase a one-month subscription. Unbeknownst to her, the subscription automatically renewed after the end of the first month. She was frustrated, but it was too late and she’d already been charged.
A week after her membership unexpectedly auto renewed, Jeff sent her a message.
Jeff, 34, signed on to CatholicMatch in April 2017, the same month Jennifer did. He was working for Dassault Falcon Jet in Little Rock, Arkansas, and hoping to find a Catholic woman who shared his interests, beliefs, and values. Jennifer responded. Soon, they were writing pages of messages through the website, multiple times a day.
Intrigued by their connection, Jennifer suggested they try video chatting on Facebook. “Jeff made sure I was comfortable with him adding me as a friend on Facebook,” Jennifer notes. “He never wanted to do anything like that before making sure I was fully okay.” Their video correspondence began.
They ended up speaking online from five different countries.
“We tried to remain prayerful and open to each other's personal life situations during our extended time of only talking through technology from across the world,” Jeff says. While enjoying their online courtship, they remained cautious, especially since Jennifer was graduating soon and didn't know where she would end up living.
While Jennifer was still in Chile, she told Jeff, "It will be very interesting one day to follow the pattern of our life as it is spread out like a beautiful tapestry. In looking back over the years, we can discover how a red thread goes through the pattern of our life: the Will of God."
Despite their travels, they were confident in God's will for their future together.
In July 2017, Jennifer returned home from Chile to Arkansas. Two weeks later, she drove two and a half hours to finally meet Jeff in person for their first date. It went well, and they decided Jeff would travel to her small hometown the following weekend for a second visit.
After those two dates, Jennifer had more travel plans and was overseas again for a month. She visited Zambia, making it the sixth country from which they communicated. After she returned from Zambia, Jennifer and Jeff decided they wanted to begin their relationship as an official dating couple.
Jennifer started searching for jobs in Little Rock, as well as other parts of the U.S. They remained open to the possibility of a long-distance relationship, though neither preferred that option.
“It did turn out that the ‘Red Thread’ wanted me to be in Little Rock,” Jennifer says.
“Things came together smoothly and easily with a place to live and a new job.”
Jennifer was able to find a home in Jeff’s neighborhood, just a few blocks away. This allowed them to further their relationship, enjoying each other’s family lives, time outdoors, and volunteer activities.
“Before we even met in person, I had a strong feeling he’d be the guy I’d marry, and that was only confirmed after finally having the opportunity to get to know one another,” Jennifer shares. She was especially impressed by the way Jeff handled a day-long whirlwind tour of meeting her family members.
“By the end of the day, he'd had lunch with my immediate family, stopped by for a quick visit to an aunt, uncle, and cousins, and then had dinner with another aunt, uncle, and cousins,” Jennifer recalls. “We counted he met 22 people in a short amount of time. I did feel a little guilty throwing him in so quickly like that, but I guess it was an opportunity to really see how my family functions!”
Jeff was drawn to Jennifer for many reasons. “I'm a guy, so I see the exterior first, and I was like wow, she’s beautiful,” Jeff says. But it was Jennifer’s dedication to living a holy life that ultimately attracted him. “I love her always patient manner, dedication to her friends, family, and church community,” he shares. “I saw how dedicated she was to Christ and her family, and being pro-life, which was a big deal for me.”
It gradually became evident that the “Red Thread” was leading Jeff and Jennifer toward a future together as a married couple.
On July 15, 2018, just over a year after meeting on CatholicMatch, Jeff proposed to Jennifer. They plan to enter into Holy Matrimony on January 26, 2019, at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Little Rock. “I am looking forward to seeing Jennifer coming down the aisle,” Jeff shares. “To be honest, the thing I'm looking forward to most is just finally being married to her. I cannot express how blessed I feel to have her in my life.”
The Bishop of the diocese will celebrate their wedding Mass. Jennifer’s father, who is a deacon, will assist and give the homily. “We have received a lot of support from family and friends, and are already shocked at the amount of people who are willing to make the journey to celebrate our special day with us,” Jennifer says. Even Jeff’s former host family from his time abroad in France plan to be there.
Indeed, the “red thread” wove its way through many places, people, and experiences to bring Jeff and Jennifer together. “I can’t wait to just be married to him,” Jennifer says, “and to finally begin our life together through the Sacrament of Marriage.”
