Theology of the Body has been trying to hook me for a long time. While in graduate school, I discussed with some friends the idea of starting a Love and Responsibility group similar to that occurring in NYC. A few of us attended the Love and Responsibility group in D.C. to see if we were up to the challenge in Baltimore. It only took a few minutes to realize that my science background and my friend’s business background were suboptimal for philosophy discussions. We (naively) thought that Theology of the Body might be easier to understand.
And so began my formal love affair with Theology of the Body. During the next few years, I threw myself into a study of Theology of the Body. I read the audiences as part of the study group, attended conferences (including multiple talks by Christopher West) and read anything I could get my hands on that was related to Theology of the Body.
Like many others, Theology of the Body changed my life. It changed the way I interacted with my peers and my clients (as a speech-language pathologist). It changed the way I approached and thought about dating. I am different because of Theology of the Body.
…And then came 2005. One day in November a guy named Nick started coming to the Theology of the Body study group. He was nice enough and always had interesting points to share regarding the readings. We started dating and later were engaged! It was as if we were a ToB success story!
In August of 2007 I had the opportunity to attend the Head and Heart Course in PA. What an extraordinary experience! Not only did I meet fantastic friends but I received the best marriage preparation possible. As I came to deeper understanding of myself, I also learned more about my fiancé (and he wasn’t even there!) and God’s love for us. That week was a blessing, filled with laughter and some tears. It was both intellectually and spiritually stimulating. My wedding jitters from early August melted away by the end of the course. On the morning of our wedding, I was as cool as a cucumber! Nick and I were married in late September in a beautiful Mass that celebrated both wedding feasts- Cana and the Lamb!