Intro: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going

Four years ago, James and I were seniors at Benedictine College wrapping up our finals and newly in love. We still had no plans for our future jobs or even carrying on a distance relationship, but I remember to this day when he opened the passenger door to my car, jumped in, and told me he thought that maybe he should go to graduate school.

Keep in mind, we had no idea what adventures were to come or, better yet, if our relationship would stand the test of post graduate life, but I felt convicted that this was a nudge from God for my James to continue on his growth and mission to serve others through his study of Christ’s Church.

Fast forward to the next year as we prepared for our wedding day and were making final decisions on where to end our distance relationship and begin a new life together as husband and wife. We kept discerning graduate school and where that would lead, but nothing added up. No opportunities were being given to make this doable, and we, yet again, put it on the back burner.

Enter 2020: the year of quarantine. We found ourselves cooped up together for what was supposed to be 14 days to flatten the curve – turned into a full year. I’ve said this to many people, but 2020 turned out to be one of the most fruitful years of our lives. We discerned so much of what we believed to be Christ’s plan and truly invested in each other and the direction our family was headed. I don’t know if the curve was flattened, but our plans were ironed out nicely by the end, and all we needed to do was trust in Christ. We finally took the plunge: James applied to four different schools.

The process of GRE, applications, afternoons spent on a thesis are boring and tedious. I won’t bog you down with the minute details of that process. I felt almost as invested as James was in the process by helping to hold down the fort, make food, chase our toddler, and be as supportive as possible. We both have waited with great anxiety and anticipation for answers since August 1, 2020. The last months have tested us in many ways, but a few weeks ago James came home from work and opened The Bottle. (The Bottle of pricey scotch he’s set aside for graduate school acceptance letters). And that was that, we were in to Boston College. BC to BC. Ravens to Eagles.

Looking back on the past four years and towards the next 2-6 years of our future seems like some kind of dream, sometimes even a bit of a joke. I have a hard time truly coming to the realization that all the hard work has paid off, all the (nail biting) patience has been rewarded, and all the prayers have been answered, yet, here we are.

The past four years have been a whirlwind of events and changes, all of which I would never have planned. Just two months before dating James, I thought 2021 would be year 4 of my own graduate school journey: no husband, no kids, no money, and no ties. It’s truly astonishing to see the work of God’s hand: securely holding us in His palm, while simultaneously flipping our plans upside down. I wouldn’t have this life any other way. This marriage, motherhood, graduate school gig along James’ side has been a game changer to my faith life. I’ve been forced to work on trusting Christ above all and loosening my tight grip on whatever control I thought I had. In the meantime, James and I have grown closer than ever before in sharing our dreams and vulnerable growing hearts as we challenge each other to new heights.

This little space will follow us on our next 2-6 years of the journey through graduate school as a little (hopefully) growing Catholic family. It’s long been the desire of my heart to write about our little life and the many adventures Christ throws us along the way to His kingdom. I've written here and there on the joys and sufferings of womanhood, marriage, and motherhood, but never found a home for my everyday thoughts.

The world needs ordinary Catholic families, and ours is about to undergo many changes (a cross country move, living with family, new friends, old friends, new places, uprooting Southern ladies to the deep winters of New England). I pray and hope these changes make us stronger, better, and bolder people of Christ and calls our family to be ever more grateful for the grand opportunities and blessings we have been given. I hope I learn to be a better mother and wife, more seasoned in the joys and sacrifices of this vocation.

As to this space, I hope you get to know, love, and laugh with us; and that our story encourages you wherever you are and wherever God calls you to be in your vocation. I expect nothing less than a wild ride!