Matching Interview with True Father
By Marie (Leckrone) Ang
Upshur House, Washington, D. C.
February, 1969
During President Yu’s Divine Principle lectures, which were given to us during the week before the Blessing was scheduled, the matching process began. Initially, Miss Young Oon Kim, the Korean missionary in Washington, D. C., and those who had been in the movement for three or more years met with True Father. After this meeting, Miss Kim began asking those of us who were older physically to begin thinking about being matched and Blessed, which included me.
Miss Kim asked my cousin, Linna Miller (later, Rapkins) and me to come to her room and suggested that we fill out the application for the Blessing, handing each of us a form. Then looking straight at me, she said, “What about Edwin Ang?” I couldn’t believe she was thinking of him for me…maybe Linna, but not me. But she said, “Yes, you, Moree.” I said that I may not be ready as I hadn’t reached the top of the completion stage yet! But she replied, “But you are committed to the movement aren’t you? You will never leave, will you?” I assured her that I was fully committed. She then suggested that I should get to know Edwin.
I was really nervous about thinking of approaching Edwin and trying to get to know him with the Blessing in mind. After all, I had just met him briefly for the first time. Yet I noticed that whenever we took seats during President Yu’s lectures in the little crowded room, Edwin always ended up sitting next to me. I saw Miss Kim notice that we were sitting next to each other, but we just talked very casually and he was very busy taking copious note during the lectures when some of us were finding it difficult to stay focused from lack of sleep.
However, it seems when Miss Kim suggested to Edwin my name, he didn’t seem to know who I was. So later, while I was doing dishes, Miss Kim came to the kitchen, taking my arm and said “Come with me”. I hardly had time to dry my hands as she scurried me up the stairs to the front hallway, and there stood Edwin. She said, “Edwin, this is Marie!” From then on we began spending a little more time together, though I was aware that one or two other sisters were speaking with him as well.
In the Upshur House, we sisters lived on the third floor. There was an intercom system throughout the house, and at the time of the matchings, we would hear a brother’s name called to go to True Father’s living room. After a little while, a sister’s name would be called. This is how we sisters, who were gathered on the third floor, could know who was being considered for a match. If we heard the brother was called back in after the sister, then we knew that probably they were matched!
So we heard Edwin’s name called. Then my name. When I entered Father’s living room, I greeted True Father. Next to him sat Mrs. Won Pak Choi. Also in the room were Mr. Kuboki, President Yu, and a few other Koreans. Out in the middle of the room was a folding chair. I was asked to sit down in the chair. Everyone was quiet and I felt as if I was entering a courtroom. I sat down, and though I knew better, nervously crossed my legs wearing a dress that came just to my knees which was the style at the time. True Father mumbled something in Korean to Mrs. Choi, and I immediately uncrossed my legs and tried to pull my skirt down as far as possible. Mrs. Choi smiled and said, ”You understand Korean!” I, of course, didn’t, but I sensed what Father’s disapproval was about.
Father then proceeded to ask, with Mrs. Choi translating:
“How long have you been in the church?” My answer: “One year.”
Mrs. Choi’s response was a disappointed “Oh.”
Next question. “How many spiritual children do you have?” My answer: “Two”
Another response showing disappointment.
I was feeling very uncomfortable at this point, and was wishing I could leave, but more questions came, regarding my life of faith and purity. It was a very serious moment, but when True Father asked me what kind of husband I would like, I felt more at ease and told True Father someone who has strong faith and will never leave the movement.
It was at this point Edwin was asked to return to the room. He entered and I was asked to stand next to him to see if I was taller than he. True Father kept looking at us, told Edwin to dye his hair, which was beginning to turn gray around his temples. True Father told me that I should make sure we sing together often and went on to describe, accurately, Edwin’s character. He then asked me what my parents would think of me marrying an oriental man, if we were willing to be matched. I told True Father that would be no problem. He then asked Edwin and me, one at a time, if we would accept our match. I immediately said yes, though it certainly wasn’t in my nature to make a quick decision like that without even knowing this man!
True Father then declared us engaged, and we offered a full bow to him, the atmosphere in the room became light and joyful! He gave us a few instructions, and as we were preparing to leave the room, President Yu came over to us and wrapped his arms around the two of us, giving us a warm congratulatory hug.
Two days later we received the Blessing from True Parents on February 28, 1969.
