“Hi Cleo,
Can you believe that this coming May will mark one year since we got married? I just wanted to thank you for your service and encourage other Christians who are considering this to go for it. I honestly feel you don’t even show half of the hard work and dedication you put into your courtship service. I would love to share a little bit of our story.
I remember when I first came to see you. I told you how difficult it was for me to find someone, especially within my age group, being a young pastor. I was 28 years old when we first met, and I am 31 this year. I truly thought it would be impossible to find someone suitable. I would stand on the streets in London, handing out flyers and preaching the Gospel, and I honestly believed there were no young ladies who would want a man like me.
I am so grateful for all the lessons you taught me as a single Christian man. I will never forget you telling me that everything starts with me believing that I will find the right wife, especially once I have a clear understanding of exactly the kind of person I am looking for. I smile when I remember that when you first asked me what I wanted, I simply said, “I am just looking for a woman to marry.” You told me straight away that this was not enough that I would never find a woman of quality if I could not clearly define who she is and what she is like. You told me to come back the next day and tell you exactly what I was looking for. I remember leaving and thinking, “This matchmaker is a little bit rude!” But that same night, I called my mum and told her I had spoken to a Christian matchmaker, and she was so excited because she had been praying and hoping I would find the right person. She said to me, “Go back and tell her exactly the kind of wife you want.”
So I came back to you and said, “I want someone who is a Christian and someone who is beautiful.” And again, you said that was still not enough. You told me we had to sit down and really work out who I am and what I truly desire. I will never forget the 45-minute profile we did together on video. It truly opened my eyes and helped me understand who I am as a man looking for a wife. Up until that point, it was easy for me to just be a pastor, but this process made me realise how much it takes to be a husband and what a serious and wonderful responsibility that is. The way you help people build their profiles and understand themselves is honestly one of the most amazing things you do through your agency.
Oh, and I remember my very first date! Afterwards, the lady said I was too quiet. You came back to me and asked why I had been so silent, and I said, “I just let her speak because I respect women.” And you said to me, “No, that is not it you are being lazy. You don’t know what to say, you don’t know how to date, and you will never find a wife or someone of quality if you carry on like this.” I remember we had a 30-minute call where you patiently taught me exactly how to hold conversations and connect with someone.
My second date was also a disaster! The lady said, “I don’t think he is right for me. He barely says anything; he is just there. I need someone I can talk to, someone who knows what to say.”
But by my third date, everything changed. I went in feeling confident, I was just myself, and we chatted and laughed the whole time we had such a lovely time together. And that is how everything began, leading us to where we are today.
We also want to thank you for your love and support through everything. Even while we were dating, we actually broke up at one point all because I told a silly joke! I apologised, but she said she could not just let it go. But you stepped in and arranged for us to meet for what you called a “Bible Study date.” You told me I should lead the study and she should simply listen, and you asked us to spend just 30 minutes doing this. Well, we ended up being on the phone to each other for two hours straight! We couldn’t wait to see each other the very next day, and from that moment on, we have been inseparable.
I remember when I first asked you, “How many marriages have you helped bring together?” and you replied that you no longer count weddings you count children instead. Well, I am so happy to tell you that you will be adding another precious child to your list this coming August! ♥️
Thank you for everything. We love you so much.
Lots of love,