AN ASSIGNMENT
Nicholas and I are joyfully celebrating our 5 year Anniversary this weekend. The priest who walked with us through marriage preparation gave us an assignment a few weeks before our wedding: tell me what you love about your future spouse.
In Part 1 I shared Nicholas’ response. He has such a gift with words and moves me to the core with his tender love. Below was my response… I chuckle at how I still like using “…” and exclamation points…
Her love for Him
What I love about Nicholas… there are so many things!
What first comes to mind is the way Nicholas looks at the Crucifix… it is a beautiful gaze filled with humility, gratitude, sorrow, love and conviction — all at the same time. Toward the beginning of our relationship I asked Nicholas about the Crucifix he wears around his neck. He held it and gazed upon our Lord with such reverence and shared how it is a constant reminder of his call to holiness, and that it holds him accountable to imitate and share Christ in his interactions with others. I LOVE this. Nicholas continually points me to Jesus and leads us in centering our lives on Him.
I love the intensity Nicholas brings to life. When he takes on a project like digging holes for my garden, assembling something or shoveling out cars after a snowstorm, he is tremendously committed and thorough! I remember being startled at his emphatic responses the first time we went to Mass together and my delight one time at the park when Nicholas cheetah-sprinted across the field trying to get our kite up in the air. His thirst for knowledge is vigorous. He is a passionate evangelizer. He has an incredible missionary spirit like St. Paul and he teaches the faith with fervor. I love that Nicholas is such a strong warrior, that he fights for all that is good and just and he stands firmly by the truth even when it is difficult. A hungry fire burns in his heart to give his life and to sacrifice for others and to grow (without delay!) towards sainthood. Nicholas challenges me to be courageous.
It amazes me that while Nicholas is bursting with intensity he is also filled with compassion and gentleness. I love Nicholas’ concern for the poor and forgotten. He has an ability to recognize when someone is suffering and he responds without hesitation, by offering a kind smile or a silent prayer. Nicholas’ love is not self-seeking. He strives to honor me, take care of me, and place my interests before his own. Nicholas is an example to me of patience. He is a model to me of mercy.
I love Nicholas’ appreciation of culture and how he embraces the personalism and charism of Pope John Paul II. I love Nicholas’ appreciation of Beauty. We can walk through the woods together and marvel at the songs of the birds or at the grandeur of a handsome mountain. I can get distracted by a lovely butterfly or by the sight of a spring bulb coming out of the soil and know that when I turn around, Nicholas will be meeting me with equal excitement. He wonders with me at the bright yellow color of a lemon, the smell of a hot cup of coffee and the sound of a glorious symphony. I love how He stands in awe before creation and praises our Creator.
I love how Nicholas desires to live a life of simplicity. I love his reverence for the sacrament of marriage and his belief that children are this life’s most precious gift. I love that God has summoned Nicholas to family life, and that with confidence Nicholas has “dropped his nets” to follow our Savior’s call.
I love that Nicholas chose me! I love that Nicholas authentically wants to lay his life down for me (me!) and that I get to spend my life loving and serving him in return.
Reflecting Today
It is pretty wild to me how all these things are still so true. Yes, in the unpredictable adventure that are my emotions, I can so QUICKLY forget how good I have it, and I can get pretty defensive and critical. I truly hate that tendency of mine. Thankfully, usually just as quickly, God often whispers truth to me within and helps me ask for forgiveness.
Grateful
A heartfelt thank you to all our family and friends, for the support you showed us on our Wedding Day and continue to give us.
One of our favorite prayers for us and for your marriages:God, grant us the grace to see each other as you do.
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***All our beautiful wedding photos here were taken by our lovely friend Marianne Moore. See her gorgeous photography at mariannegreig.com.***
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