Marriage: Are You Prepared?

While I believe Mishka and I are better prepared for marriage than most couples. We have been through thick and thin together, through better and worse, through sickness and health.

However, to be married in the Catholic Church, you must go through a marriage preparation program. Many churches run "pre-cana", but according to my officiant, the best program is called "engaged encounter."

Some FAQs about Engaged Encounter:

What is it?

"The weekend is designed to give couples planning marriage an opportunity for an intensive and honest look at their commitment to one another. The atmosphere of the weekend allows a couple to discuss with each other their desires, ambitions, goals, and attitudes about time, sex, children, family and their roles in the church and society."

What do you do?

"Presentations are given by two married couples and a priest who share personally from their own experiences. The engaged couple is stimulated to discuss privately with each other all aspects of married life.

It is not a sensitivity session, nor are there any group dynamics. Rather it is a private experience in a quiet and informal setting. Personal reflection and couple dialogue are the main thrust of the weekend."

And my personal favorite specification?
"This price covers separate overnight accommodations for men and women, meals, and all materials." (that bold is their accentuation not mine)

Yup, while this weekend will probably be our second "weekend away" together, we will once again not be sleeping in the same rooms (our first weekend away was a religious retreat Sophomore year--obviously not sleeping in the same room). But that's ok. We have a lifetime of nights to spend together.

And from what my parents have told me--they also did engaged encounter when they got married--the weekend was one of the most romantic things they did during their engagement. You write love letters to each other and my mom still has my dad's to her. I am SO excited to eventually read Mishka's to me, and write a few of my own. I also like the idea that the weekend is about private couple dialogues rather than group share time. I think that will make Mishka and me feel much more comfortable. And, since a marriage is primarily between the two of us, isn't that really the best format for a marriage preparation program?