It’s been almost a year since James and I were married on a warm, sunny day in Ave Maria, Florida. 

I remember the anxiety of ensuring everything was ready before the wedding. I had all my things packed in the car because right after our reception we were headed to Jacksonville to begin our new lives together. Once I stepped into the church, however, all those worries disappeared. My soul knew something sacred was about to happen, and I began to reflect on the life I had lived, and the journey I was about to begin in holy matrimony. I could not stop the tears from flowing down my face as my father walked me down the aisle, and I saw James smiling ear to ear. My soul was filled with so much joy, hope, and love. I knew God was fully present at that moment as he guided me to Himself and James, where I had so many times witnessed God’s sacrificial love in the mass.  

Only about a week later did our life begin. We started working and James continued his classes for airplane mechanic certification. Not only was he still in school all day (and is still now), but he also worked full time in the evenings. Our time together was limited. We were still hopeful for the future and had all the excitement of being newlyweds. A few months into our marriage we found out we were expecting a child. We were very surprised but prepared to be the best parents we could be. The pregnancy was difficult at the beginning, and I would spend days sick in bed with James right next to me. He stepped up and took care of me in my sickness for weeks and did not once complain. 

Very soon after we found out I was pregnant, Covid-19 began to take hold of our country and before we knew it, we were staying at home all the time. This was especially hard because we had not been living in Jacksonville long enough to establish friendships, and we both began to feel the loneliness of lacking community. James was furloughed from his new job and times were hard. Luckily, a few months later he got his job back, but with it returned our limited time together. We both have had other difficulties this year as well. Our heaviness began to lift later in the year when we began to make friends at church and began participating in parish fundraisers and activities. 

Soon after we found out we were having a baby girl! We have named her Judith Elizabeth, and are so excited to meet her. This difficult year has shown us that with trust in the Lord, love, and intentional effort, marriage can be beautiful and fruitful during hardships and darkness. I love James more and more every day, and with it, my love for Judith has grown immensely. 

During this Advent season, preparing for the birth of Jesus to come into the world has a very different meaning. We are preparing for the coming of our first child as we await the coming of our Savior. It has been such a difficult year for everyone, but ending it with the celebration of Jesus and the birth of our baby girl proves to me that beauty can come from even the darkest suffering when united with Christ. His love always prevails.