Couples to Behold: Erin and David Osman

The Osmans are a fabulous couple to know! They're a ton of fun, very kind, have the hearts of servants and great faith and are strong-willed. I've known Erin and David since I met Mark, so about five years now. He's known this great pair since Erin was in middle school. Basically forever. Erin and David were high school sweethearts, I'm pretty sure. Adorable!

One of the most admirable qualities about the Osmans is that they definitely know how to have fun and make sure everyone else around them is having a good time, too. A lot of people joke that when their friends get married, that couple becomes boring and doesn't do anything anymore but sit at home and hide out from the world. Not the Osmans. They often throw shindigs at their home, make it out on the town, travel to fun places like New Orleans ... they are out and about quite often.

Remembering to keep the fun in a relationship and remain social with the outside world are things from which all couples would benefit. No one likes a boring pair. The Osmans are anything but. :)

David and Erin Osman; Jan. 8, 2011; D'Mello wedding

Couples to Behold: Jen and Ruben Garza

Wow, I know a lot of wonderful couples! How blessed am I?

The next couple is Jen and Ruben Garza! They are newlyweds themselves, having gotten married Nov. 6, 2010.

I've known Ruben almost five years; he was my boss when I worked at the Cathedral, and I couldn't help but become friends with him outside of work. Ruben is like no other, truly. He is sincere, loves to have a good time, a man of great faith, one of the strongest men I know (resilient) and loves U2 even more than I do. What's not to love?

I met Jen when she and Ruben began dating, and I loved her right away! She's beautiful, supportive, loves to have a good time and has a great spirit. They're a perfect pair, if I do say so, myself.

One thing I admire about Jen's and Ruben's relationship is how they illustrate what it means to be supportive of one another. Like Nikki and Steve McMinn, Ruben and Jen really seem to have down pat that part of a relationship. You can instantly tell when interacting with these two that they believe in each other's dreams and endeavors and would do anything to help support those ideas. They want the best for each other, and they are so encouraging, uplifting and even challenging the other to want to help the other get the best out of life.

They're a fabulous couple from which to learn.

Jen and Ruben Garza; Nov. 5, 2010; the day before they got married

Couples to Behold: Angela and Chris Wilson

How am I going to sum up how much I love this couple in this itty bitty blog post? Agh! Well, for anyone who knows me well, you know that Angela Wilson is the nearest and dearest of them all to me, my "bosom buddy," to put it in "Anne of Green Gables" terms. Such a good movie ... but I digress.

I've known Angela 15 and a half years now and things haven't changed between us one bit; if anything, we continue to grow closer in our friendship, if that's even possible. I've known her husband Chris since they first started dating -- 10 years, or so, ago -- and he is almost as equally wonderful as his wife (I'm a little biased). He truly is a great man who loves his wife very much; they make a beautiful couple, for sure.

Angela and Chris were the first of my friends to get married, so they've been whom I've watched and observed as a young married couple from the start. One thing I admire about their relationship is how they've been able to successfully manage their independence and personalities within their relationship. Many people lose themselves to one another after so much time together, but even though Angela and Chris have grown together in awesome ways, they've still maintained many of their original characteristics unique to themselves. I love this about them and think they're a great couple to look to for maintaining yourself as a person whilst still becoming one with your spouse and other half.

I love them. :)

Chris and Angela Wilson; Oct. 29, 2010; Angela's b'day

Couples to Behold: Molly and Jeff Socha

Molly and Jeff are such a fun couple! They're always up for some new adventure. They love to travel -- a couple after my own heart -- and they both have a great faith. One thing I love about them is that when they do something, whether individually or as a couple, they do it thoroughly and well. No halfway stuff from either of them. Whether it's skiing, entertaining or even their prayer life, Molly and Jeff take the bull by the horns and go with it, which is what I admire about them. That and Molly's sense of style and eye for interior decorating! ;-)

Such a wonderful couple to know!

Molly and Jeff Socha, July 17, 2010 at the Rudolph wedding

Couples to Behold: Jenn and Justin Rudolph

Jenn and Justin met in one of the Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry's small groups a couple years ago, one that I was in actually. This particular group paired up individuals as prayer partners every week or couple of weeks. I can remember the week Justin and I were prayer partners. We met at Mozart's and when I asked him what I could be praying for in his life, he told me that he had developed interest in a certain woman and how she was unlike anyone else he'd known. He really wanted to get to know her better and talked of her beautiful qualities. Low and behold, it was my friend Jenn who was the woman, and just last summer they were married!

I've known Jenn and Justin for several years. Justin, I first met when he joined the Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry in 2006-ish and Jenn I befriended later, around 2008-ish, through mutual friends.

Something beautiful about the Rudolphs' relationship is how they seem to be really good friends. When they're together, you can tell how much they enjoy being around one another and just have a good time, no matter what they're doing. They're not nitpicking on each others' habits but, rather, all smiles and peace. Being friends is sometimes one thing that all of us couples need to be reminded of from time to time. We're more than just husbands and wives, co-parents, roommates -- we started out as friends. People who just really enjoy each others' company.

A great couple to know!

Jenn and Justin Rudolph, July 10, 2010

Couples to Behold: Christi and Thomas Payne

Christi and Thomas were just married six months ago. A few short 197 days later, this husband and wife are expecting their first child at the end of March 2011! How God chooses to bless our marriages is awesome, and I'm so excited for them as they journey toward parenthood.

I first met Christi when she was a new parishioner at Saint Mary Cathedral and I was the director of ministries there -- about four years ago, perhaps? I met her for dinner at Central Market to get to know her better and see where her interests might lie in getting involved at the Cathedral. Our friendship quickly took hold and she has since become one of my dearest friends. We were in each others' weddings and will, no doubt, remain close friends over the course of time.

Thomas, I met when he and Christi began dating about a year and a half ago -- on the dance floor of my wedding, to be exact! He is a sweet guy and clearly couldn't be any happier than to be married to his beautiful wife.

What I love about Christi's and Thomas' relationship is how they recognize the meaningfulness in doing the little things for one another. Every now and again I'll hear about how Thomas has left something out for Christi at the house for when she gets home from work, whether it be a special drink, flowers or just something else to make her smile. Thomas knows just how to bring that girly smile to Mrs. Payne's face, and not much else says pure joy when you catch a glimpse of it. Christi loves taking care of Thomas and being the nurturing wife that comes so naturally for her. They both honor what makes a relationship stand true and steady -- by doing little things for one another often. Sure, the big celebrations and gifts are important and create special memories, but it's those thoughtful everyday gestures and affirmations that are the most powerful and will grow and strengthen the relationship.

An awesome couple to know!

Christi and Thomas Payne, June 19, 2010

Couples to Behold: Nikki and Steve McMinn

Steve is another great guy who grew up with Mark, and Nikki is his sweet wife. I first met them when we attended their wedding several years ago, and they were blessed to have their first child, Garrett, this last summer.

One thing I've noticed about their relationship is that they seem really supportive of one another. Someone asked me not too long ago what I thought to be one of the most important qualities of a good spouse, and being supportive was what I immediately answered. From when I've seen Nikki and Steve together as parents, to being at Steve's surprise birthday party Nikki organized a few years ago to miscellaneous other times spent together at events, they just appear to be a supportive couple. Such a great quality to try to emulate!

Another great couple to know. :)

** Don't forget to vote for my blog to be one of the top 10 marriage blogs of 2010!

Steve and Nikki at the Chaudhari wedding, June 2010

Couples to Behold: Julie and Ken Richey

You're going to catch a theme within a theme here ... many of the guys grew up with Mark. It's bizarre / awesome how all the guys with whom Mark grew up are still the best of friends today. I don't really know any other groups of their size (10+ guys) who are still close after so many years. Talk about loyalty! It's pretty sweet.

In any case, Ken and Mark grew up together.

Julie and Ken have been married for 10ish years; they were the very first of the group to get married, long before I ever knew Mark. They were engaged after four months together! How awesome is that? When you know, you know. They're a great couple, and I'm sure since they're the ones in our group who have been married the longest, there's a lot we could learn from them about marriage!

One thing I admire about their relationship is how they really enjoy each other. From my knowing them a couple of years now, it's great to watch how they're comfortable with each other's individuality and just love hanging out together. You can tell they're good friends, more than just husband and wife. Maybe your marriage grows that way the longer you're married or maybe they've always been that way from day one of their relationship; either way, it's awesome.

Another fabulous couple we're blessed to know!

** Don't forget to nominate my blog to be one of the top 10 marriage blogs of 2010!

Julie and Ken Richey, May 7, 2010, Knaus Rehearsal Dinner

Couples to Behold: Amy and Sunil Chaudhari

Sunil was Mark's first friend when Mark's family moved to Texas about 24 years ago. Apparently Sunil got the lucky assignment of showing Mark his book-covering skills.We were blessed to meet Amy about four years ago when she and Sunil first started dating; they are also newlyweds, having gotten married this past June (June 5, 2010).

One quality I admire about their relationship is that they are quick to forgive one another. Let's just admit it: when around good friends, you can usually tell when there is some tension between a couple. Disagreements happen all the time in a healthy relationship, and goodness knows Mark and I have shown it around those with whom we're comfortable. What's awesome about Amy and Sunil is that while it may appear they're in disagreement one moment, it's not too long before you turn around again and they've worked out whatever the issue is and they're back to their doting couple-selves. Being quick to forgive is something to be admired in anyone.

Another great couple to know!

** Don't forget to vote for my blog to be one of the top 10 marriage blogs of 2010!

Amy and Sunil Chaudhari; Knaus wedding; May 8, 2010

Couples to Behold: Michelle and Forrest Higdon

Forrest Higdon is another friend of Mark's whom he's known since Forrest was in middle school, or somewhere around there, and Michelle is his beautiful wife. I was blessed to be able to witness their wedding four years ago, not too long after Mark and I had first started dating.

One thing I admire about this fabulous couple is their spirituality. I could be wrong, but I think they met through church while they were in college (Catholic fraternity and sorority?). They also volunteered in our current church's youth program, Life Teen, for a while and participated in a small faith-sharing group Mark and I led several years ago. It's such a beautiful thing to not only be able to share your faith with your spouse but also to grow in your spirituality together as a couple. While some folks go their own way in their search for God, Michelle and Forrest demonstrate well the value they place on growing in it together.

Another great couple we're blessed to know!

Michelle and Forrest Higdon, March 2010, Crilly Couples' Shower

Couples to Behold: Lauren and John Knaus

Mark grew up with John and I've known Lauren since 2006 / 2007 through the Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry.  They got married May 8, 2010, so they're still newlyweds! :)  I've been around since the beginning of their relationship, so I've been blessed to witness them grow together as a couple.  Mark's group of guy friends and their girlfriends / wives often travel together, so we've all been on several trips together, from Miami to Dallas to the Texas Hill Country, and we spend a lot of time together here in the great ATX.  I think it's safe to say that we'll be a constant in each others' lives forever since this group of guys is so close and has been together so long!  I pray we have a lot of life together to look forward to!

One of the things I admire about Lauren's and John's relationship is how, as a couple, they place value on familial relationships.  John's dad was his best man at the wedding.  They live within 15 minutes of both sets of parents.  Lauren was just talking a couple of days ago about how important her family continues to grow to her.  While I know there can be an imbalance for couples when it comes to extended family, I think Lauren and John have found that great level that works for them and nourishes their relationship as a couple.  Having that support system can make a huge impact!

Another great couple to know!

Lauren and John Knaus, February 2010, Payne Engagement Party

Couples to Behold: Debbi and Mike Apperson

Funny as this may sound, I actually don't know Debbi and Mike all too well.  I've only met them a couple times, the first time being a ski trip we all went on earlier this year; we ran into them a month after that at a hockey game.  Mark has known Mike for years ... they probably grew up together, like so many of Mark's current friends.  Even with only having met them a small handful of times, I admire Debbi and Mike and know their relationship has something to teach me and Mark.  Probably the greatest aspects of their relationship I've taken away from knowing them so far is that they have fun together and really seem to understand one another.  Just witnessing the way they interacted on the trip, I could tell how well they go together.  A great couple to know!

Mike and Debbi, Keystone, CO ski trip January 2010

Couples to Behold: A Series on Our Married Friends

I believe strongly in encouraging couples in their marriages.  I know marriage can be difficult and how important it is to have that support system to reaffirm your vocation and encourage you to be the best spouse you can be.

Therefore, I'm going to start a series featuring our married friends: Couples to Behold.  I want to highlight the quality I admire most or think is one to honor in the marriages of our friends.  If you know me well and you're married, chances are that I'll probably be featuring you here, so if you'd rather not be included, shoot me an e-mail!  Otherwise, look for your fabulous faces in the weeks to come. :)

We're blessed to have in our lives many married couples to admire.  I hope that this series will not only encourage you in your own marriages but will help you look at the married couples in your own lives and honor them, too!  We all need affirmation from time to time.  You never know when it makes all the difference to someone.

Halloween 2009, "A Scottish Couple"

Theme: Wife-hood

It all started with a Facebook status post ...

"Jennifer ... would like to start a blog but wants it to have a purpose. What do you think I could focus on that would be interesting? Young adult ministry? The adventures of being a new wife and setting up home? Ministry in general? Etc.?"

Most everyone who responded agreed that a theme on the ministry of being a wife, home life and setting up home was what they wanted to read.

I'm excited about the different directions in which I can take a blog themed on the topic of being a newlywed, its trials and tribulations, adventures and inspirations! So I won't run out of topics for a while, I've made up myself a little list of the different posts I can make. As I mentioned before, I appreciate blogs that have a purpose, so I hope this medium achieves that and isn't just a group of ramblings. Feel free to send me topic suggestions!

So, here we go ...