Chris reminded me this morning that ten years ago today we went on our first date. I can remember that date vividly! Dinner out and a movie at his apartment! As he dropped me off that night, I kept thinking there is something different here.  I was also freaking out a bit because Chris and I had been friends since sophomore year of high-school.  I was not quite sure what to make of the new direction of our relationship.

It did not take me long, though, to realize that Chris was the one.  And suddenly the date of importance was no longer March 22nd, but October 10th, the day we got engaged.  Then October 10th was replaced ten months later by July 12th, our wedding day.  Four years later, we added February 23rd as an important date in our lives with the birth of our son, Brady, and two years later we added the date of June 7th with the birth of our daughter, Abby.

And now, as I look back on the ten years we have had together, I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for the gift of our relationship.  Our decade together has been full of growth and many challenges that we made it through together, and we are stronger because of it. The moments of fun, joy, hope that we have experienced are too many to count!

But, today, as Chris reminded me of our first date ten years ago, I can only smile and laugh because yet again God showed me that God is full of surprises!  Sharing life with Chris is a surprise I would take again and again!

When has God surprised you with an amazing gift of love?

Becky Eldredge

Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.