Dating and Looking for Mr. Right

How am I going to find the right person? Where should I look and when is that going to happen? We really don't know when that will happen. Things like dating and marriage usually do not happen on schedule, like the so called five year plan. That may work with school or jobs but not with people. As for where to look, I have known people to look in bars and found someone, however this place is not the best place for meeting a good Catholic person. Sometimes we may think that we had just missed seeing that person. I believe a better train of thought at this point would be, if we are called to the marriage state by God, we should put some faith in God and give Him the free hand to place that person in our path in His good time. Patience is a virtue. Maybe God is waiting for us to put our confidence in Him and test our faith. This can make us stronger, for when we meet the right person, there will be bigger obstacles to face. So right now trust God. Be okay with your present status. No one wants a desperate person. We can look forward to marriage but daydreaming doesn't help God's kingdom nor does it help us enjoy our single life. I remember when I was single and my married friends would say that they wished they were me for a few hours or that they had enjoyed their single life either a bit longer or seen that it probably wasn't all that bad.

Of course I do not mean don't look at all or just sit at home and see if it just happens. Oh no. All these past thoughts are to convey the importance of being happy and loving God first before we can open ourselves to truly loving someone else. People find that special someone in college, occasionally in high school (St. Mary's can be the exception!) and ideally getting married after studies. I would find it hard to get married while I was doing exams or full time school as my time is divided but it has been done. I remember in nursing school how I was studying hard for an exam and my older sister who was as A-student going out the night before on a date because she could easily pass with minimal effort. It sure seemed unfair to me at the time. But looking back, I am glad I was free for school because I do not think I could have juggled both fully.

Now where to meet. The young adult gathering for traditional Catholics in Colorado is interesting for some. I personally think the location could be in different places so it can be a different experience for the same person the following year. The conferences the priests give are very good. Catholic reunions are good too. I hear there is a school reunion in St. Mary's in July. I understand it is open to all. A pilgrimage is also a good way to meet people that have similar interests and goals. Many people meet up with friends at ordinations, the yearly ordinations in Winona for example. Another benefit is there are lots of religious in Winona to give advice. Then of course on line are our two dating sites. I have friends who have met on line. It certainly makes us aware of the Catholics around the world. Did you know there are 199 million square miles on earth? I'm sure your soul mate is out there!

Finally, Saint Joseph feast was recently on March 19^th. Let us ask him to help us find that spouse.

Till next week. Melissa