I love getting e-mails from my readers. So many of them start off with,
“this might be weird, because you don’t know me, but I feel like I know you!…”
So, even though a part of me wasn’t sure if I should share this post…
I felt like my readers might appreciate hearing this part of me too.
I feel like this is.. really personal. but it’ll be good to share!
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Growing up I was a good girl. no angel, but I barely got in trouble.
In all the home videos you see craziness going on and then me in the background either poking my finger into the birthday cake and eating it..or cuddling a baby doll like a little mama. I’m sure I gave my mom head aches..but she has told me that I was definitely easy.
“this might be weird, because you don’t know me, but I feel like I know you!…”
So, even though a part of me wasn’t sure if I should share this post…
I felt like my readers might appreciate hearing this part of me too.
I feel like this is.. really personal. but it’ll be good to share!
—————————————-
Growing up I was a good girl. no angel, but I barely got in trouble.
In all the home videos you see craziness going on and then me in the background either poking my finger into the birthday cake and eating it..or cuddling a baby doll like a little mama. I’m sure I gave my mom head aches..but she has told me that I was definitely easy.
In high school I went to multiple youth groups…I was really picky when it came to boys and only said yes to a handful of dates. Never having a serious boyfriend but having an amazing group of guy + girl friends. (I blog about shannon often, she was in that great group.) We would go on retreats and nights of worship.. along with doing the typical high school fun.
Here’s a video from Christmas one year. Since losing my best friend shannon, this video has brought me so many tears. happy and sad ones. I was sooo lucky with my high school years…. blessed with a great group of friends that made it “normal” to be active in your faith and church.
Here’s a video from Christmas one year. Since losing my best friend shannon, this video has brought me so many tears. happy and sad ones. I was sooo lucky with my high school years…. blessed with a great group of friends that made it “normal” to be active in your faith and church.
Everyone has a cross in their life. I had hard things happen in my childhood that gave me the choice to either run from God or run TO Him. And luckily I had really holy people around me that helped me realize that He had a plan for me. and not to waist a single tear, to offer up any suffering you may have for others who might need a prayer.
I grew up around some very Holy Consecrated Women and Missionary of Charity Sisters (Mother Teresa’s sisters).. they were beautiful, holy AND normal?! triple threat. they inspired me. I even spent a day with Mother Teresa when I was ten. She put her hands on my head and blessed me…pulling my dad down to her height with his tie and saying “you have a good family.”(we still have that tie) at the time I really wanted to be a sister.. and looking straight into mother teresa’s eyes, I told her, “I want to be a sister!” She laughed at me!!! and with a smile she held my hands in her soft wrinkled ones and told me, “Pray 3 hail mary’s every day for your vocation”.. I figured she knew what she was talking about. and took her advice to open up that conversation with God to discover HIS plan for me.
Through my parents, and these holy women’s examples, I learned how to really pray.
I prayed those 3 hail mary’s every night… at first for my vocation and then, once I discerned, for my future husband.. I started a deeper personal relationship with God…prayer was a real but simple conversation with Christ. I learned how to use my talents to tell people about Christ. I was VERY active in my faith. I ran retreats, fundraisers, went on missions, flew across the country and overseas to speak at events for young girls. Right after high school I did a year of volunteer work for the church. they send you where they need you. I ended up meeting/traveling/living with some incredible holy crazy girls who I’m still close with. We did mainly youth ministry at schools and parishes. one of the hardest but most rewarding years of my life. My prayer life was the best it had ever been and the sacrifices we made really helped us mature and go deep. plus we had a lot of fun adventures. We once had no money and needed food for a retreat we were running.. I went with another girl to a grocery store and asked the manager if he could make a donation.. he gave me a shopping cart and said fill it up. It was those kind of experiences during that year of service that I was able to see how God provides.
I prayed those 3 hail mary’s every night… at first for my vocation and then, once I discerned, for my future husband.. I started a deeper personal relationship with God…prayer was a real but simple conversation with Christ. I learned how to use my talents to tell people about Christ. I was VERY active in my faith. I ran retreats, fundraisers, went on missions, flew across the country and overseas to speak at events for young girls. Right after high school I did a year of volunteer work for the church. they send you where they need you. I ended up meeting/traveling/living with some incredible holy crazy girls who I’m still close with. We did mainly youth ministry at schools and parishes. one of the hardest but most rewarding years of my life. My prayer life was the best it had ever been and the sacrifices we made really helped us mature and go deep. plus we had a lot of fun adventures. We once had no money and needed food for a retreat we were running.. I went with another girl to a grocery store and asked the manager if he could make a donation.. he gave me a shopping cart and said fill it up. It was those kind of experiences during that year of service that I was able to see how God provides.
Then it was time for college.
I chose a VERY small Catholic college.
I immediately met my amazing roommate and a fun group of girls.
They were loud outgoing and we laughed…ALOT.
I love being around people. and having fun and being spontaneous and silly.
I found myself in the “party crowd”… (it was a small school……there was a defined group?)
I had so much fun with these people. But there were times I found myself getting into trouble…ALOT. and I was not respecting myself or others.
I wasn’t focusing enough on studying and was going out too many nights.
There are certain friendships, that I made during that time,
that I’m still connected with and cherish.
But there were others where it felt completely superficial.
I didn’t feel like myself and didn’t like where I was going.
I decided I didn’t want to party as much.
It was quickly becoming my identity at this small school.
I didn’t feel like myself and didn’t like where I was going.
I decided I didn’t want to party as much.
It was quickly becoming my identity at this small school.
One day, I was on the phone with my mom.
And I was talking to her about all of these things on my mind…
She suggested that.. when my friends go out to a party…
I should go to the gym on campus and shoot hoops.
And I was talking to her about all of these things on my mind…
She suggested that.. when my friends go out to a party…
I should go to the gym on campus and shoot hoops.
So I did.
I’m horrible at basketball.
But I did it.. I would go and shoot hoops.
and one night….
My future husband was there…and that’s where we had our first real conversation.
We had “met” earlier that week when I was in the gym talking with a mutual guy friend while watching an inturmural game. Ben walked over and said
(this is the truth. it’s in the scrap book. it happened. even though ben denies it. ;)
“Hey girl, I see you all around campus.. I gotta know your name.”
(this is the truth. it’s in the scrap book. it happened. even though ben denies it. ;)
“Hey girl, I see you all around campus.. I gotta know your name.”
BAHHHHHH ::insert melting college girl here::
He was so cute and charming. I didn’t even remember his name after he told me it because I was so in shock with how confident and sweet he was. and cute. did I mention cute?
So when I was in the gym that night, while my friends were at a party, we started talking.
He had on those breakaway basketball pants and was showing off his game ;)
We walked together to the campus library to check our e-mail/facebook.. (what else?) and then we were talking outside and I remember being in complete shock when, after saying goodnight, he didn’t ask me for my number.. we just said bye and walked opposite ways.
I remember making that face like what??? haha…. Makes me laugh now looking back.
I remember making that face like what??? haha…. Makes me laugh now looking back.
We eventually ended up exchanging numbers…and he took me on a date.
I was in my notre dame sweater and yoga pants. we went to eat n’ park. classy.
He had his baseball hat to the side with stud earings in.
I was in my notre dame sweater and yoga pants. we went to eat n’ park. classy.
He had his baseball hat to the side with stud earings in.
And he interviewed me on my family, how many kids I wanted etc. etc..
He jokes that he knew I was the one when I ordered a huge burger.
But in all honesty, we both knew very quickly…this was IT.
I had never felt that way about a guy before. It was more than the butterflies that did it.
He was sweet, kind, funny, but most of all.. a holy guy.
He was my first and last exclusive relationship!
We weren’t a perfect couple..but we both had the desire to strive for holiness.
We prayed and went to church together. Ben had a passion for ministry and
He started doing part time youth ministry while we were still in college..
and, as the girlfriend/fiance, I was there a lot too! Doing ministry together was really fun.
He was my first and last exclusive relationship!
We weren’t a perfect couple..but we both had the desire to strive for holiness.
We prayed and went to church together. Ben had a passion for ministry and
He started doing part time youth ministry while we were still in college..
and, as the girlfriend/fiance, I was there a lot too! Doing ministry together was really fun.
THE PROPOSAL: “ben told me that we were having a dinner with our youth group kids and that everyone was dressing up..but when we got there…he got me into the church and I saw that it was all glowing with candles down the aisle to the altar..100 roses everywhere..candles all over the altar with the monstrance. it was so beautiful. he walked me down the aisle I was freaking out haha and at the end he said all this amazing stuff and then knelt down and said natalie catherine will you marry me?? and I said yesss and we hugged and kissed and some of the youth group kids who set up all the flowers and candles for him screamed from the cry room where they, and our priests, were hiding haha. then we knelt down infront of the tabernacle and said a prayer then everyone came out and we took photos and the priests stood over us and blessed us and my ring with holy water (which they gave us at the end) then ben and I took more roses to the statue of our lady and we prayed together and he gave me a couple gifts that he got while we were in medjugorje over christmas. then ben said we had dinner reservations so we left for the george town inn that looks out onto the skyline of pitt. we walked into the restaurant and there was his family and my family!!! all waiting for us to get there and celebrate. I was so suprised I cried haha. it was the most amazing night ever. and the festivities carried on all weekend. I am so thankful for the amazing man God put in my life. “
It’s funny because I had texted my mom “false alarm” on
thinking it was proposal night…only to it really being the night..and her in town!
He tricked me good.
When he proposed, Ben told me how since he was younger he had been praying for his future wife. So even though we didn’t know it..we were praying for each other!
We occasionally are asked to speak at high schools and retreats, and we always share that detail. how we felt God working in our lives through that unknown prayer from the other person!
I really feel like God put me right where I needed to be… in that gym.
I was there trying to be faithful to Him, and He blessed me with ben…
and we were able to start our life towards the path of where we are today.
It’s amazing how God works in our lives!
I was there trying to be faithful to Him, and He blessed me with ben…
and we were able to start our life towards the path of where we are today.
It’s amazing how God works in our lives!
We ended up getting engaged within 8 months. married 8 months after that.
Looking back it went FAST. like.. super speed fast. But we really stayed close to God during that time and prayed a lot as a couple and He led us. Every day we prayed those 3 hail mary’s to our Lady asking to interceded for us and our engagement.. then we continued those prayers after we were married.. and to this day, we still include in our pray time every night, those 3 hail mary’s for our children’s vocation. We pray that they will know how amazing they are and that God has a plan for them in their life.
I’m so lucky to have a man who randomly asks “do you want to go have some prayer time?”…. “do you want to go to novena tonight?”… “do you want to go to that talk on ___?”…
Having our faith helps us get through the tough times that come with family life.
We had children right away.. and we love it. I can’t imagine not having sophie.. sienna.. micah… they are amazing and a blessing even when they drive us insane + to exhaustion. haha. There are days…we feel like crazy people. not gonna lie. This past sunday….was one of those days. we arrived to church, only the underneath part of the bottom part of my hair was straightened. (as far as I could get) ben’s shirt was on INSIDE OUT… and sienna had dressed herself and we just “went with it”…. BUT.. we made it to church. we were there and had that hour with God and got a bunch of blessings to help us through this week.
We had children right away.. and we love it. I can’t imagine not having sophie.. sienna.. micah… they are amazing and a blessing even when they drive us insane + to exhaustion. haha. There are days…we feel like crazy people. not gonna lie. This past sunday….was one of those days. we arrived to church, only the underneath part of the bottom part of my hair was straightened. (as far as I could get) ben’s shirt was on INSIDE OUT… and sienna had dressed herself and we just “went with it”…. BUT.. we made it to church. we were there and had that hour with God and got a bunch of blessings to help us through this week.
It’s been incredible seeing how God has worked in my life.
Taking me where I’m at and helping me discover His plan for me.
Sophie asks me all the time right now…
“mom..what do you want to be when you grow up? You’ll be a superhero”
and to tell you the truth, sometimes when I get through
a day with 3 kids under the age of 5.. I feel like one. ;)
“mom..what do you want to be when you grow up? You’ll be a superhero”
and to tell you the truth, sometimes when I get through
a day with 3 kids under the age of 5.. I feel like one. ;)
I always had the desire to be a wife and mom.. that’s what I “wanted to be when I grew up.”
And I always had the passion to be creative and to connect with people.
I feel blessed with where I am in life right now. Who knows the crosses that might be ahead of us… but I know that I have a partner in my
husband who loves ALL of me and who wants to help get our family to heaven..
so with our faith and family as our rock.. I’m excited for our life.
And I always had the passion to be creative and to connect with people.
I feel blessed with where I am in life right now. Who knows the crosses that might be ahead of us… but I know that I have a partner in my
husband who loves ALL of me and who wants to help get our family to heaven..
so with our faith and family as our rock.. I’m excited for our life.
ps. we were made for each other.
Laura@Cowboy Boots
May 1, 2013 at 9:28 amthat is the sweetest story ever! gave me goosebumps about the part where your mom encouraged you to go to ‘shoot hoops’ God is good
nicolemariearts
May 1, 2013 at 9:33 ama few of things:
I can hear Ben saying, “hey girl”. hahahaha I lol’d and Max walked over to me and asked what was so funny. I didn’t know how to explain it to him ;)
Ryan Gosling ripped your husband off with the “Hey, girl” thing. Awesome.
Your family is beautiful. And I love you all. And we need to see each other soon.
KK
May 1, 2013 at 9:36 amSo Cute!!! Thanks for sharing!! I love that you took the plunge to publish, and I’m glad that you and Ben are leading each other to heaven, along with your sweet babies!!
Melissa Stolaruk
May 1, 2013 at 9:37 amThat was a beautiful story. I’m not very religious myself and would like to try to be more. I love your blog and enjoy all your posts. So glad you posted this!
Mandy Rose
May 1, 2013 at 9:48 amI cried as I read this! You are nothing short of amazing Natalie Catherine (hehe!). I seriously love you! We are so alike, in so many ways!
Christine Hutchinson
May 1, 2013 at 9:48 amI don’t know why you were nervous to share, Natalie! It’s a beautiful story. God is so good. I am also blessed with the gift of faith. I see and hear Him everywhere and I am so thankful for it. I feel the same calling to bring the people I love closer to Him. Praying for my girls and my husband daily and believing that He will lead us all where we need to go. When I married Jim he was a non-practicing methodist and I am Catholic. I never really told him he had to convert–only that when we had children we needed to commit to raising them Catholic and he agreed. A few years ago he told me that he wanted to convert. We had been attending church together as a family since our first daughter was born. He would go to his RCIA classes with a sister in our church. One-on-one they would talk. It was the only way that he could fit the classes into our schedule–with work and four kids. She told me one day that Jim had said to her that one of the reasons that Jim decided to become Catholic was that he saw what I had, and he wanted that. To me, that meant SO much. It was a sign that I am living my faith, which is more important than just talking about it. Your story is so powerful because it is a testament to what you believe. Not your words, but your life is the proof! Thanks for sharing!
Valerie Scott
May 1, 2013 at 10:00 amThat is a really beautiful story Natalie, so glad you shared.
Rebecca Phillips
May 1, 2013 at 10:01 amOh my goodness! Best proposal ever! Loved reading your story and faith journey to marriage and family. Blessed!
Itsy Belle
May 1, 2013 at 10:07 amI’ve never posted commented on your blog before but I love it and this is such a beautiful story. My husband and I didn’t grow up in faith, and we fell into some really hard times in our marraige.. last year I felt lead to find a church and now we have things back on track and going to church as a family is one of our favorite parts of our week. It is so amazing how God will work in your life once you seek him and trust in him. Thank you so much for sharing this story! It is exactly what I needed this morning as I am planning our Vow renewal and fresh start, it reminded me how I want God to be a huge part of it. Thank you!
Krista
May 1, 2013 at 10:48 amAwww, I loved reading this Natalie! I love hearing about couples and what circumstances bring them together, I think you can see God in every one of them ;) I grew up similarly to you in that I was pretty much always a “good girl” and I’m proud of that. What was significantly different for me was that faith was sort of just a Sunday thing in my home. We prayed the ritual prayers at dinner and such but didn’t talk much otherwise about God and faith. It wasn’t until much later that I began to really seek Him and grow in my faith.
I was absolutely blessed with D for my husband. We were “friends” first and I just remember thinking I couldn’t imagine NOT having this guy in my life, I needed like forever :) One of my most favorite memories of our wedding day was walking down the aisle. I swear everything in the church was guilded in gold light and I could not stop smiling with the absolute perfect peace that this is what God wanted for us :)
I really admire all the ministry you do. I didn’t realize you started so young. Thanks so much for sharing your faith! It helps me to learn to be more open with mine as well.
Hope you’re having a good day :)
ivegotfaithtobelieve
May 1, 2013 at 11:12 amso beautiful !
Samantha
May 1, 2013 at 11:24 amBest story Ever! Thank you for sharing and thank you for the inspiration!
Elizabeth
May 1, 2013 at 1:51 pmI just shared this with our youth group facebook page. I want our teens to see an awesome vocation story of such a great couple! Thank you for your witness :)
Lizzie Simantz
May 1, 2013 at 2:10 pmSuch a beautiful post! I’m a new follower and loving your blog!
http://www.multipurposemama.com
-Lauren
May 1, 2013 at 3:21 pmLove this post. As an all girls catholic high school graduate, I can relate to this on so many levels!
Teresa
May 1, 2013 at 4:58 pmthis is amazing. thank you for sharing your story! I don’t know you, but I feel like I do from reading your stories about you and your adorable family. it’s great to see such a faith-filled family. <3
ps – your engagement story is super sweet! (:
Anonymous
May 1, 2013 at 5:32 pmWow what a great story! Thank you so much for sharing. Although I am not a Catholic I appreciate your story deeply. I know the courage it took to put this up with the political environment. But no one can take away the truth of what you have lived.
Many thanks again, God bless you!
Mary L
May 1, 2013 at 6:22 pmThis brought me to tears at one point! You guys are SO cute! And your children are beautiful!
Love Meghan
May 2, 2013 at 10:44 amwhat a sweet story! i love all the photos. the one of you and your kids in pink is adorable!
Izzy
May 2, 2013 at 11:10 amThis is just the sweetest post. I had a smile on my face while reading it. The two of you are blessed in so many ways, and I can “see” that you don’t take it for granted. Love your family.
Andrea
May 2, 2013 at 11:49 amI love reading about your faith and how God works in your life, guiding and leading you. I am Mormon, and I just love reading the spiritual post you put up. I wish more people would post their beliefs and experiences. It is such a testimony builder.
Angela
June 26, 2013 at 7:49 pmThis is so sweet! Love it!
I also pray for my future husband, who I have yet to meet! {everything happens in God’s perfect timing}
God has truly blessed you both!
Anonymous
June 28, 2013 at 6:11 amBeautiful!!!
Rachel Cantrell
July 3, 2013 at 7:45 pmEven more obsessed with you now! To a young Catholic college student trying to patiently wait and discern my vocation your story gives hope and encouragement! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing!!
Rachel
fromtexaswthlove.blogspot.com
Beth Anne @ BethAnnesBest
July 6, 2013 at 12:02 amLOVE your story. I agree that is The BEST.PROPOSAL.EVER!! That is my 2nd dream proposal – the first is getting engaged in front of Cinderella’s Castle at disney world haha
E
January 8, 2014 at 1:59 pmBeautiful and Catholic, love it!!! Your blog is beautiful and that church, gorgeous!