We both Disagreed that our future spouse watched too much TV, but had different answers on my future spouse always has to win. Will said he Disagreed with that, because I always lose, and I put agree because anyone that knows Will, knows he's a viciously competitive opponent. Just ask his Grandma about Nickels. =)
I think we're going to be just fine when we get our results, with very few surprises (I hope!)
We also attended an orientation, which essentially was everything that we had already gone over with Fr. Marc three months ago. Deacon Rick (or Rich?) I can't keep them straight, anyway, he was in charge of this round. Unfortunately when I asked the lady if it started at 7, she said no, 7:30... so we ended up walking in after it had already started. On the bright side, we were still "early" so it wasn't too bad, and the section we walked in on was the same packet we had already reviewed.
I ran into a familiar face from my school days, Julia Munoz, who is also getting married (but in August of this year). She joked that they were running a little behind. After a short break, in which no one moved because we all wanted out, the Deacon asked some more questions, so we all had to talk about how we met, and then discussed the differences between a Civil marriage (decision) and a Sacramental marriage (vocation -> calling from God). Essentially a Civil marriage can be dissolved, and a Sacramental one cannot, due to the covenant with God. Because even though the two people in the marriage can break it, God does not.
The one thing that really stuck out was this: Love is a decision. We have to make it everyday. It is not a feeling, you do not "fall into" love, because then you can "fall out" of love, just as easily. Deciding to love someone even in the hard times, is how to weather the storm, so to speak. Or as the Deacon said, "Think of it as a freeway, you can see the exits and can leave the freeway at anytime in a Civil marriage, but in a Sacramental marriage, there's only on ramps." He also said, that sometimes knowing that you can leave, makes it hard to stick it out, but if you had only lasted those extra two exits (still speaking metaphorically) then you would have made it to that awe-inspiring destination you didn't know was coming.
All good things to hear, and I'm glad there was something I could take away from what was otherwise a bit of a waste of time. On a humorous note, I did hear Bruce and my mom through the walls (or ceiling?) I guess they had a meeting at the church too. Best part was all the kids in the class kept looking around, and Will and I were trying not to laugh because we recognized Bruce's voice instantly. =)
One last thing I wanted to share was the prayer we said at the end. Both Will and I agree that it left an impression on us:
Loving God,
You created us and know us so well
You created us, one for the other
and it was you who brought us together
Now, united in love,
as we prepare to begin our life's journey together,
we turn to you
Help us to be for one another, a gentle lover,
a generous listener, a firm supporter,
and a best friend
Never let us take each other for granted.
Help us to remember, even in times of anger,
that love brought us together
and we freely and consciously
make a decision to love
Through good times and bad,
in our joys and in our sorrows
be with us, guide us,
and hold us in Your gentle embrace
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord
Amen
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