While the Pitsch and Koperski families have known each other for decades, Joe and Katie officially met in 2017 after their neighboring churches formed a Collaborative. Katie and Joe became good friends after leading an Alpha series together at church (thank you, Father Derda!). In God’s good providence, they continued to carry out their single vocations for several years. For Joe, this meant raising his two incredible daughters, and for Katie this meant continuing the noble and hellish journey of dating in her thirties. In June 2023, during another round of online dating on Catholic Match, Katie stumbled on Joe’s familiar, handsome face. After some prayer and encouragement from Whitney, she asked him out. After zero prayer or discernment, Joe obliged. (For the record, Joe always considered asking Katie out but didn’t because he’s… well, super old.) Date #1 was on July 5, 2023, and it was clear from the beginning that God was doing something amazing. Being together felt like home. Fast forward to date #176 (June 11, 2024) in the filthy, cluttered basement of her grandparents’ house, Joe proposed to Katie. The exact spot where her dad proposed to her mom. Joe and Katie are in awe of God’s goodness and faithfulness. They are so thankful for His perfect timing and for the growing pains along the way. We can’t wait to begin the rest of our lives together and to celebrate our marriage with you! ❤️ “Apart from duty and Divine things, I only need you, or rather I need you because you are a part of a Divine thing of my life, because it is God Who made you enter into it, because you are His living and efficacious blessing to me. Since I have received you from God, I have learned to know what Providence means.” (Pierre Dupouey, in a letter to his wife)