While attending University, Cathy shared a dorm room with three roommates. Each one had her fair share of male admirers. In order to maintain some semblance of privacy, the girls would occasionally make arrangements to meet their respective dates at some anonymous location.

One summer’s evening, Cathy set out on a blind date. She didn’t have much hope that it would turn out well. Having agreed to the date, and being a person of her word, she wanted to keep it. Cathy walked to the corner of Nassau Street and Washington Road. Her date was expected to be there at 8:00 p.m. Cathy had been told to look for a blue car whose driver would be wearing a fraternity sweater.

Everything seemed to go as planned. At a couple of minutes past eight, a blue car driven by a young man in a fraternity sweater pulled up alongside the curb. “Sorry I’m little late. I got caught in traffic,” he said apologetically.
“That’s all right,” Cathy said, pleasantly surprised that her date was so good-looking.
The young man turned to his date and said, “By the way, how do you know Bob?”
“Bob? Who’s Bob?” said Cathy.
“What do you mean, who’s Bob? Bob is the one who set us up!” the young man said, raising a bushy eyebrow that accentuated his questioning glance.
“What are you talking about?” Cathy sputtered. “Jim set us up.”
“Jim!” the young man answered. “Who’s Jim?” A few more who’s and what’s and what-are-you-talking-about’s, and the puzzle was solved. They realized that another couple must have made arrangements to meet at the same time and at the same place, which meant that they were each out with the “wrong” date. God works in strange ways.
Without skipping a beat, the young man turned to Cathy and said, “Look, I’m having a good time. This was meant to be! Want to continue?”
“Sure,” she said, overjoyed at this miraculous encounter.
Some years later, they were happily married with three beautiful children.

Sometimes, all we have to do in life is show up, be present, and allow the mystery to unfold. Cathy and Bob were meant for each other. It was God’s plan. When they accidentally met at the right place, and at the right time, they clicked instantaneously, and it lasted forever. God has a plan for each and every one of us. We need to listen to Him.

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths.” Psalm 24:4.

Fr. Hugh Duffy