In 2004 I met the man of my dreams. I was a 25 year old divorced woman struggling to find my way in this world. He was a non-practicing cradle Catholic. His faith was so far off his radar I didn't even know he was Catholic until months later. On February 14, 2005 we went on our first date, and 6 weeks later we were engaged. Our families had no idea what to think!
To placate his father, we met with the local priest to talk about an annulment, even though neither of us were interested in getting married in the Catholic Church. He was non-practicing, after all, and I was raised a United Methodist. As far as I was concerned, this was all a moot point.
The meeting went as horribly as it could have. I left the meeting in tears, and as we walked to his motorcycle, with tears in my eyes, I loudly declared, "It will be a cold day in hell before I have ANYTHING to do with the Catholic Church!!!" At that point, God laughed.
Six years and two children later, God softened my heart and got to work. As our sixth wedding anniversary approached, I felt a nagging voice saying, "You know, you're keeping him from Communion. Maybe it's time to revisit this annulment question." As my anniversary gift to him I met with the new parish priest who gently and completely answered my difficult questions and guided me through the annulment process.
As I waited for the annulment to be approved, God snatched my heart and used Our Lady and her rosary to lead me (kicking and screaming) into the Catholic Church. :) I emailed the priest that summer and said, "So, funny thing, I'm feeling compelled to enter the Church. What do I do?" His response: "Congrats?" :)
In August 2012, we got word that my annulment had been approved just days before our 7th anniversary. Days later we learned we were expecting our third child. In September I entered RCIA with my father in law as my sponsor. In October our marriage was convalidated and our two oldest children entered the church through a Profession of Faith. March 30, 2013 I stood before the church at the Easter Vigil and happily proclaimed that I believe and profess everything the Catholic Church believes and proclaims to be true. Three weeks later I gave birth to my first cradle Catholic baby.
Happily we've been married 9 more years and added 3 more babies and 2 saints since that beautiful day. Our marriage has been blessed by our joint faith. Our Lady and the gift of the rosary has brought about so many miracles in our immediate family and our extended family. I am so grateful to be Catholic, and I make these rosaries and rosary bracelets in order to promote Our Lady's rosary and to give thanks to her and her son Jesus for the miracles they have worked in my life.
Our Lady of the Rosary, Pray For Us.