Love, Marriage, and a Mountain

An anniversary trip to the mountains leads Lilia Grundy to reflect on the sacrament of marriage and how our faith can help us reinforce the commitment. 

The Word at the Top 

He nudged me to take the lead and I briskly stepped forward one foot after another up the incline, inhaling deeply in and breathing out strongly.  

“Wow, this is a pretty good workout,” I said as I turned my head halfway to ensure my husband could hear me.  

And sure enough, by the time we reached the summit: a 906-foot climb with a maximum elevation of 1,187 feet, I was grateful to reach the top of Wind Mountain. We found a spot among big boulders to sit upon and began to take in the view.  

In my bliss, I searched for my mobile to pull up the daily readings. I asked my husband if he wanted to hear them, and he said yes. As I began to read aloud the first reading (1 Peter 1:3-9), tears began to trickle down as I realized it was a fitting message for us celebrating our 14 years of marriage. In that moment, I knew God was speaking to us and I felt so privileged and grateful. 

The PentaDecade Nupitals Club 

This year has me thinking a lot about the sacrament of Matrimony, as my parents will celebrate fifty years of marriage in July. My father says that we are a part of a special club called the “PentaDecade Nupitals Club,” a phrase he coined representing five (penta = Greek for five), couples in our family who have reached fifty years of marriage, for a total of 250 years of married life! 

Indeed, I am blessed to be a part of this family, for less than fifty percent (46.5%) of American households contain married couples, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In our current society, citizens are choosing to live alone over getting married. 

Our world needs more married couples and we as Catholics, are fortunate to have faith tools that can help us reinforce our commitment. 

The stay away

My husband and I were able to sneak in a staycation away to celebrate our anniversary. We booked an overnight stay at a lovely backwoods cabin tucked in the beautiful woods of Carson, Washington amidst the Columbia Gorge. We were welcomed with a thoughtful welcome sign, card, and various treats.  

This is the day my husband and I hiked up Wind Mountain. We rewarded ourselves afterwards with pizza and beer at the pub across the street from our accommodations. We spent quality time alone, prayed, roasted marshmallows, laughed. It was the perfect way to remind each other why we became a couple in the first place: to “attain the goal of (our) faith.” 

Why we pray

As I reflect on the first time I asked my husband to join me in prayer, I recall being uncomfortable, perhaps embarrassed to ask. But I’ve found the more I ask, the easier it is. He always says yes, and the more he asks me to join him too.  

If I had known about the Scripture passage where Tobit prays with his wife on the evening of his marriage (Tobit 8) and how much grace it provides to start married life by inviting God into your marriage, I would have surely done so.  

But it’s never too late! We can always invite our heavenly Father (and Blessed Mother) to accompany us on our married journey. Here are some things my husband and I incorporate into our lives: 

• Plan a staycation or getaway alone 
• Pray the Litany of Marriage and Holy Rosary together 
• Attend Adoration together 
• Pray to patron saints of marriage (St. Rita of Cascia is my go-to!) 
• Pray to the Holy Family as a family 

What are your favorite ways to practice the faith with your spouse? 

Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of [your] faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9)

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Copyright 2024 Lilia Grundy
Images: copyright 2024 Lilia Grundy, all rights reserved.