It all began with a first message of, "What's up, Ohio?" on November 5th, 2022 via "good ole Catholic Match".

Little did Matt (in Detroit, Michigan) know that Bernadette was a true Georgia Peach just currently living in Columbus, Ohio. But after he was quickly corrected of her appropriate salutation, conversation flowed naturally and soon enough the two were eager to meet the other person on the other end of the screen...

December 14th, 2022 was a cold day for a first-date in Toledo, Ohio. Though they had called and texted before meeting each other in "real life" both of them wondered if the 4 hour drive round-trip would be worth it.

Questions like:

“Is this person real?”

“Will I come out of this meet-up alive or kidnapped?”

“Is he/she a secret agent?”

“Will I get cat-fished?”

Coursed through their minds as they anxiously awaited the moment they’d first meet eyes. And then it happened… a tall, white, and handsome man walked around the corner, catches the gal’s eye and exclaimed, “What’s up Georgia!?”

At least he got it right this time. Turns out her multitool she brought to “protect” her would be no match for his G-21.. good thing she didn’t need it since the first date was a knock out of the park. After all, who doesn’t like a good brewery, Mexican food, and Christmas lights date?! Definitely worth a second date. Too bad Bernadette would be out of the state for a month to run a marathon with her family.

It didn’t take many more dates in Jan, 2023 for them decide, “Let’s do this thing- we’re gonna take on the challenge of long distance dating!”

The mid-way point of Toledo, Ohio soon changed to weekend trips to Columbus or Detroit respectively. He got to see her life and she got to see his (really once Matt's dogs liked Bernadette, it was a done-deal ;). They both recognized quite quickly this long-distance couldn’t keep them apart.

For the summer of 2023 Bernadette went off to a regional location for summer camp making them 12 hours away from each other instead 3.5, and with a time difference (shoutout to previous CYSC Northwoods!) It was truly only the grace of God that an hour of FaceTime on each Saturday sustained them through the end of the summer. But then, the two knew there’d have to be a change. Matt started looking at job opportunities in Columbus in anticipation of a potential move. Things were getting REAL here.

In February 2024, a bit over a year after we had been dating long-distance, Matt took a leap of faith moved to Columbus, Ohio and got a new job so we could date in the same city.

“Oh, You’re serious about this relationship…” people said. "Dang straight we are!" we replied back.

As some would say, this missionary girl and a former squad leader had “fallen in love”. Now what? Things finally got to feel "real", and boy let us tell you it sure was nice to finally be able to see each other on a week-day date night rather than requiring an entire weekend trip!

I’m sure you can imagine that the rest is history. Weekly date nights became more normal. Dinner at friends' homes became a regular occurrence. Fun, random outings could finally take place. AT LAST, a sense a normalcy was incorporated into our relationship instead of feeling like a second-life through a long-distance relationship. As we remained in love, we both independently prayed about if this person could be “the one”? “Could this person help lead me heaven?” Only by God’s grace (and with a whole lot of patience waiting for the perfect timing)… would bring us to the answer of those questions.

October 13th, 2024 marked the day when Matt posed the million dollar question, “Bernadette Marie Hartney, will you marry me?”

If you’ve made it this far in our story, I think you know the answer… through many joyful tears came the resounding, “YES!!!”

The rest of our story will become the biggest adventure of our lives as we embark upon the road towards the Vocation of Marriage. We could not be happier to invite you to share with us in this holy and sacred day.

Please come and celebrate with us on May 17th, 2025 when we commit the rest of our lives to each other and to the Lord through the sacrament of Holy Matrimony!!