When I last wrote, I had 12 nieces and nephews with 2 on the way.
When I last wrote, I was 11 months into an admin job at a bustling parish, serving on the front lines of busy church life, learning the ins and outs of helping people in their joys and sorrows.
When I last wrote, I had just begun dating an incredible man named Christopher. I was learning what dating looked like for me, what it meant to be unconditionally loved, and how a Christ-centered relationship could radically change the way I viewed the world around me.
Today, I have 14 nieces and nephews.
I have a new job (at the same parish) as Director of Evangelization & Communications.
Christopher and I are engaged to be married in 18 very short days.
To say that life hasn’t slowed down is a crazy understatement. Especially in these last 3 months, as I accepted this new job, Christopher and I have continued planning our wedding, booking honeymoon flights, and applying for an apartment, we sometimes look at each other and think “When will life get quiet again?”
And the answer is that it won’t. Oh, there may be quiet moments here and there, but after the wedding comes merging lives and learning to live with each other, then children, then school and playdates and birthday parties, then college, and oh, stop before my head spins out, grandchildren.
It’s easy to look so far ahead that we lose sight of the here and now. But although things keep moving, there are moments of calm, of quiet beauty, and of simplicity. We take “wedding free” days and try to sit down for a nice dinner together every so often. We talk about daily life and not just the insanity of wedding prep. We remind each other to stay focused on the marriage, not the day that will start it off. And we pray - alone, for each other, and together. We pray that we’ll remain looking at Christ, not just for the next three weeks, but for the rest of our lives together.
I’m excited for these next 18 days of preparation, but more importantly, I’m excited to see what life brings after that.
I’ll see you all soon. :)