Growing up Together

Digital pics were just beginning so we opted for the "real deal".  So here's a picture of our "real deal" pic.

Who are these teenager-looking kids playing dress-up?  Do they have any idea what they are getting themselves into?  Any clue how God will work in their lives to challenge them, to shape and mold them?  Do they realize that those vows mean something?  That when they say, "For better or worse, in sickness or health, etc..." that "better" and "worse" will happen, that "sickness" and "health" will happen? 

One of the priests who walked along beside us during our "marriage prep" course said something that I will never forget.  He said he thought it was fitting that two people in love are really a little bit out of their minds.  Who, in their right mind, would agree to those vows?  Who would honestly say that they want to spend their entire lives with one another.  I also remember, at the ripe old age of 19, thinking that this priest must not really know what he was talking about.  Of course we knew what we were getting into.  Ha! 

We could never have known that after 12 years of marriage we would love each other more deeply than ever.  We could never have known that we would be blessed with 6 little souls, 5 of which we have the privilege of raising to know and love God.  If God had shown us the trials that would be set before us, would we have accepted?  Would we have known that the graces that we have been given would indeed be sufficient?

On June 3, 2000 we were two young kids madly in love.  12 years later we are still madly in love and sometimes think we are still kids.