From SEEK to Engaged: Sophia and Guillermo's Catholic Love Story
Taylor O'Brien, Candid CEO & Cofounder
Sophia and Guillermo are engaged! They met at the Candid speed dating event at SEEK25 in Salt Lake City, UT. He was going to college in South Dakota, away from his home state of Nebraska. She was going to college in Tennessee, away from her home state of Oregon. Neither of them was fully sold on going that night.
They almost didn't go
Neither Sophia nor Guillermo was completely sure about showing up to speed dating that night at SEEK25. It took a little convincing for both of them.
Guillermo got in line early with a friend, hoping to grab a spot in a room he knew would fill up fast. Once inside, the two split up.
Sophia got in line late and wasn't sure she'd even make it into the event.
Wrong section, right person
The room was organized by home state, with balloons marking each section. Guillermo sat down in a section that wasn't his own. He didn't want to move and risk losing his spot, so he told himself he'd stay put unless he got a clear sign to relocate.
Sophia did get in, but by the time she made it into the room, her section was full. She ended up standing in the women's line in the back right corner.
A few guys near Guillermo kept telling him to move. He held off until an organizer announced it was the last chance to find the correct section. So he got up, found the Nebraska section marked by a green balloon, and discovered it was already full too. That left him standing in the men's line, in the back right corner of the room, close enough that when he turned around, he made eye contact with Sophia.
They started talking and didn't stop for the next twenty minutes.
Twenty minutes, then breakfast
Most of their time in that speed dating line went to each other. Before the night ended, Guillermo asked if Sophia wanted to get coffee or breakfast the next morning. She said yes.
At breakfast, both of them felt more relaxed. The conversation came easier outside the noise of the event, and by the end of the meal, they'd decided to pursue a relationship and they've been together ever since!
Making it work
Sophia and Guillermo talk throughout the day and call each other at least once daily. When their schedules allow, they visit each other and use breaks to spend time together: hiking, going to Mass, exploring coffee shops, Italian restaurants, and ice cream shops.
They credit intentional communication for how quickly the relationship deepened. Calling regularly, being honest about what they wanted, and treating every conversation as worth their time helped them get to know each other at a level they say a lot of couples don't reach for months.
What started as two people who almost didn't show up to a crowded room at SEEK25 has turned into an engagement! Sophia and Guillermo's story is a reminder that a Catholic speed dating event doesn't need a perfect setup to work. Sometimes it just takes ending up in the wrong section, in the right line, at the right moment.
"Show up anyway"
Sophia and Guillermo almost skipped the event that changed their lives. Their advice is simple: show up anyway!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Candid Dating?
Candid is a Catholic virtual speed dating app that connects single, practicing Catholics through live one-on-one video speed dates. Instead of swiping through profiles, members attend structured events organized by age group and region, have five seven-minute video dates in one evening, and receive their mutual matches afterward. Every profile is manually reviewed to make sure all participants are verified, practicing Catholics.
Does Candid host in-person speed dating events?
Yes, in addition to Candid's virtual speed dating events on the app, Candid hosts in-person speed dating events at national gatherings like SEEK, and through its own event series, Candid on the Road. Upcoming Candid on the Road events are scheduled in New York City (Sep. 30) and Long Island (Oct. 1) this fall.
How can I try Candid Dating?
Download the Candid app on iOS or Android, or visit candiddating.net to browse upcoming Catholic speed dating events in your age range and area. First-time members receive 50% off their first event, automatically applied in the app.