Engaged Encounter

Sean and I spent a wonderful weekend on an Engaged Encounter retreat. What a wonderful marriage preparation program! It was so helpful to take a break in all the dress, reception and invitation decisions and agonizing over guest lists to just focus on our marriage and what that means. Our weekend was led by two couples, each coming from different backgrounds and married a number of years, who shared some of their own joys and challenges from their marriages. They were so generous with their time and sharing about what marriage really looks like with a bunch of starry-eyed engaged couples--some serious and others, well, not-so-much.

It was intense, and Saturday, in particular, was an arduous day as we took our communication to a whole new level. It was an intensive weekend of work during which we were offered the time and opportunity to question, examine, and deepen our relationship with each other and with God. Our leaders challenged us to explore our relationship in a much deeper, more honest way than we have been before. One of the most important things is we've developed an understanding of how to fight, make decisions and to forgive easier. In the midst of all the wedding planning stress, we really needed this opportunity to stop and think about marriage, and this was the perfect opportunity to do this.

This weekend, we've grown to love each other more, yet when we first arrived at the retreat, we hadn't thought that would be possible. We're looking forward to receiving the sacrament of matrimony more than ever before. I'm so grateful that we had this opportunity, and so happy that God has blessed me with this wonderful man!