Tony, originally from Ecuador, but who now lives in Tampa, joined CatholicMatch because he wanted the opportunity to meet a woman who shared his Catholic faith, moral principles, and fundamental values.
His desire wasn’t simply to enter a relationship, but to meet someone with whom he could build a strong family centered on God and faithfully live the vocation of marriage.
Vivi currently lives in Ambato, Ecuador, and her best friend had met her now-husband through CatholicMatch, so she encouraged her to join. She helped her create her profile and guided her through the process.
That decision eventually led to her relationship with Tony.
Tony had just come out of a relationship that had been deeply painful and unhealthy, and left him questioning many things, including whether marriage was still part of God’s plan for his life.
Yet, beneath the disappointment, he sensed a quiet invitation from God—not to give up, but to trust Him once again. At the same time, he felt drawn to go back to his roots, to the country where he was born: Ecuador. Although he had built his life in the United States, something deep within him kept telling him not to forget where he came from. Looking back now, he realizes that God was gently directing his heart toward the place where his future wife was waiting.
While Tony was open to the possibility that a sincere and meaningful relationship could begin through the internet and believed that God could use different circumstances and instruments to bring two people together, Vivi had many doubts about meeting someone online. She didn’t believe that online dating was necessarily suitable for everyone, and she approached it with caution and distrust. She felt that it could be difficult to know whether everything someone said through messages or phone calls was completely genuine, and she had reservations and some preconceived ideas about meeting someone through the internet.
Tony had been an off and on user of CatholicMatch member for about four years, and Vivi had been a member for about a year before she contacted Tony.
She noticed a photograph on his profile showing his participation in the Catholic movement “Bonds of Marian Love.” She asked him about the movement, and that simple question became the beginning of their story. Vivi admits that one of the first things that attracted her to Tony was seeing that he had a strong Marian devotion and that he participated in this movement in which she is now also consecrated. They found that they shared the same love for the Catholic faith, the same respect for family, the same desire to live according to Christian values, and the same understanding that marriage is not merely a personal dream, but a sacred vocation.
The pair communicated approximately four months, March to July, until meeting in person. After months of many phone calls and video conversations, Tony traveled to Ambato, Ecuador, where they finally met at the airport where Vivi went with her sister and father to welcome him. Tony recalled that the first time meeting Vivi in person was unforgettable, and that there was a profound sense of peace - nothing felt forced, but instead everything felt natural. Vivi said that it was a very beautiful and emotional moment seeing Tony in person for the first time. She remembers being deeply moved when she looked into his eyes, and she especially remembers the first embrace they shared.
The two went to dinner at a cozy wine restaurant and spent time talking seriously about their future and what they both desired from the relationship.
One statement that Vivi said remained deeply engraved in Tony’s memory. She told him: “I am not here just to try. I am going to make this work.” Her words showed him that she was not approaching their relationship casually - she was serious, intentional, and willing to work for what they were beginning to build.
On February 14, 2026, Tony proposed to Vivi before the Blessed Sacrament in a chapel in Ambato. He carefully designed and planned the proposal with her family so that it would be a meaningful surprise. He wanted Christ to be present at the center of their engagement and of the marriage they are preparing to enter. Vivi stated that the engagement was a completely unexpected and unique surprise for her, especially because they were surrounded by the people they love the most - their parents and the members of her immediate family with whom she shares the closest connection. Tony recalls that it was far more than a proposal. It was an act of gratitude and faith. Standing before Christ, they entrusted their future, their vocation, and their lives to Him, asking Him to remain at the center of everything they would build together.
From the beginning, Tony was attracted to Vivi’s sincerity, humility, strong connection with her family, devotion, and loyalty.
As he came to know her more deeply, he began to appreciate the consistency of her love, the seriousness with which she approaches their relationship, and her willingness to remain faithful to what they are building together. He also loves how contagious Vivi’s laughter is - her laughter immediately makes him laugh genuinely as well, and they naturally bring happiness and laughter out of each other. Now that Vivi has known him for a while, what she admires most is his heart, his kindness toward others, and the sincere way he expresses his love and care for the people around him.
They have shared many joyful and memorable experiences, especially during family gatherings and trips. Tony recalls one especially meaningful trip that took place when Vivi visited him in Tampa. They traveled together to St. Augustine, Florida, where they had the opportunity to visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche. It was a warm, peaceful, and faith-filled experience that became one of their most beautiful memories together.
Vivi recalls one especially sweet memory that happened during their first year anniversary.
Tony surprised her by arriving at her home, and the occasion was even more meaningful because her birthday is two days after their anniversary. It was a beautiful and very special opportunity to celebrate both their first anniversary and her birthday. They currently live quite far from each other, and being able to share those important days in person made the experience especially meaningful to her.
The distance between them has certainly been one of their greatest challenges. They have worked through this obstacle with consistency, frequent phone and video calls, mutual understanding, transparency, and complete honesty with one another. These outlets allowed trust and emotional closeness to develop even when they could not be physically together. Both of their families have also shown great openness toward the relationship, which has given them important support and peace. Above all, prayer has helped prevent the distance from weakening the love they have been nurturing.
The two are currently preparing spiritually, emotionally, and personally to receive the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony at the end of this year on October 24, 2026.
As they prepare for that day, they often look back and realize that every disappointment, every unanswered prayer, every delay, and every difficult season had a purpose. God was not withholding a blessing; He was preparing them for it.
Tony’s advice for current CatholicMatch users is to be patient, peaceful, and prayerful. Finding the right person is not always easy, and there were difficult moments when he wondered whether he would ever meet the woman God had prepared for him. Also, don’t try to force a relationship or become excessive in pursuing someone. Instead, use the season of waiting to pray, grow, and become the best version of the person God is calling you to be. Their story, he said, is not about finding the perfect person, but about discovering that when Christ is at the center, two imperfect people can faithfully answer His call to marriage.
For the men, he would also say that it isn’t always necessary to feel pressured to make every first move.
In his case, Vivi was the one who wrote to him first. Remain open, authentic, and prepared, because God’s providence can unfold in ways you didn’t expect.
Vivi’s advice would be to take the necessary time to truly talk and have meaningful conversations with the person you are getting to know, and try not to create too many expectations too quickly, because at the beginning, we don’t always know who is truly behind the screen. Through honest and thoughtful conversations, it is important to determine whether your values, life goals, and vision for the future genuinely align.
Also, both people should be sincere about what they’re looking for, what they desire in a relationship, and what they expect from the other person.
She believes honesty is one of the best ways to recognize the person who may be meant for you. Everything should be approached with love, patience, and, above all, sincerity.
