Bay Area woman who purchased ‘Marry Me’ billboards secures a date

Valentine’s Day Adventure: Woman’s Unique Proposal Campaign

Love might be free, but for Lisa Catalano, it certainly came with a price when she decided to put up a “Marry Me” sign on a busy road in California as part of her Valentine’s Day quest.

“You wouldn’t believe the amount I’ve spent,” she shared. “Once everything’s done and I can really dive into the details, I’ll be sure to break it all down.” This ambitious endeavor began in the fall of 2025 and attracted over 4,000 entries via her website.

After sifting through all those applications, Catalano whittled it down to around 50 men, then narrowed it more—ultimately going on five first dates that fall.

Interestingly, her Valentine’s date wasn’t with any of the initial applicants but with a person she had been seeing for about a month.

Most of her budget went toward billboard advertising, strategically placed along Highway 101, with a gap in signage within San Francisco itself. To fill that void, she opted for digital taxi toppers in the city, which were said to operate with around 20 taxis when at peak times.

Her romantic evening included watching a rom-com, followed by a cozy dinner that she and her date cooked together, opting to keep it simple instead of battling the crowds at a restaurant.

When asked about the dating journey, Catalano reflected, “It was incredibly stressful, but also the most magical experience I’ve had. I was hopeful all along that this would work out.” Despite the whirlwind, she expressed uncertainty about exclusivity, mentioning she’s still enjoying meeting new people.

To maintain a sense of privacy, men she dates are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement. “I just wanted to keep both parties protected,” she explained.

She divulged that her substantial expenditures mainly went toward advertising on billboards, with some support from digital campaigns in San Francisco. Initially, she planned for 12 locations but eventually settled on six to eight. And on Valentine’s Day, she launched 14 special signs that showcased messages for her website targeted at loved ones.

Beyond advertising, she invested in domain hosting and promotional items like business cards and flyers, all of which she painstakingly managed herself. “I handled every detail,” she said, emphasizing the effort had taken a toll both financially and emotionally. Critics have labeled her “hopeless” online, yet she maintains a different perspective. “I prefer to think I know what I want,” she noted.

Frustrated by traditional dating apps that didn’t yield meaningful interactions, her campaign began almost as a joke but quickly escalated. However, the harsh comments she received sometimes felt personal. Despite some negative feedback, a wave of support also poured in, with one supporter commending her bravery and using her story to inspire his own daughter to pursue the love she deserves.

Catalano took the time to thoroughly review applications, disqualifying many for reasons like age proximity and less than serious intentions. “Most applications were ruled out quite easily,” she pointed out, acknowledging that many seemed to apply just for a laugh.