Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Three Years




The day before our wedding, we both had time for anything but each other. I had a 
million oh so important things to do like perfectly placing new address cards on plates that were going to be forgotten, and Chris was just getting in from yet another training trip for his new, very stressful job. We both had short fuses, and we had time for everything and everyone but each other. It was all the more reason to make room to go to the Basilica for Confession that morning. 

During Confession, I mentioned to the priest that I was getting married the following day. He gave his early best wishes. Then, for my penance, he asked that I meditate on the following phrase:

"The best thing a mother can do for her children is to love their father." 

After we had both gone to Confession, we knelt down in the pews on the left side of the west wing. The line had worked out that Chris had gone to the same priest that I did. I looked at him with a little smile. I'm always bursting to tell him anything. I whispered to him what the priest had said. Chris smiled really big and chuckled silently. 

Then he whispered that the priest had told him, "The best thing a father can do for her children is to love their mother." 

Of course, I cried. 

(I believe that John Wooden can claim penning that quote, but I do know that Lou Holtz uses it quite a bit also. And we love Dr. Lou. Now since then, I have found that the priest that we both happened to go to that day actually gives that penance to me a lot ... except when once I told Chris, "This priest always says the same thing." Chris wisely answered back, "Maybe you need to hear the same thing." Yes, I do, and that was the day the priest gave me a completely different penance).
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Ryan has pink eye right now. Last night, we were all in our room while I was getting the boys ready for bed. Ryan was climbing up on our bed and shouting, "Put your dukes up!" (his favorite phrase since Chris took him to the annual charity boxing tournament, Bengal Bouts), and I was bouncing Conor on my hip while filling Chris in on exactly how expensive the pink eye medicine was. Being the former pharmaceutical sales rep and possessor of common sense that he is, he automatically stated that the patent must have not expired yet. As he loosened his tie to put it away, he smiled and chuckled silently just the way he had after Confession three years ago, "It's okay by Baby #6, the patent will have run out." 

Of course, I cried. 

And I'm crying again writing this because I can't believe I have a husband who so willingly wants to grow our family with me that the thought of Baby #6 is just a normal notion that comes to mind when we think of what down the road looks like. 

This is real. And this is fun. 

Happy Third Anniversary, Mr. Harrington!
Love,
Mrs. Harrington

Our two year anniversary post here.

23 comments :

  1. This is perfect, Katrina! (She types as her husband gets breakfast for the toddler so she can finish her coffee.) Husbands can really be the best.

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  2. I love this so much. Happy third!

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  3. Happy, happy anniversary!! To many years (&babies) more!

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  4. So sweet. Hope you had a wonderful anniversary!

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  5. Love this! Happy anniversary, Harringtons!

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  6. This is beautiful! Happy anniversary, Harringtons!

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  7. Happy anniversary. What a sweet post and what sweet words from that priest. I wish you guys many years of happiness!

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  8. Oh, Katrina, this is beautiful! What a sweet story.

    I had a similar moment recently when I started bemoaning how short the newborn stage is (and my baby is not even born yet—hormonal pregnant lady for sure!) and my husband said "At least we'll have a lot of babies to enjoy it with!" Made my day. :)

    Happy anniversary to you and Chris!!

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  9. This is simply beautiful! You have made my morning. Happy Anniversary to both of you. Many more years and babies to you :)

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  10. Oh I love you both...you're such a beautiful couple. And we are only one year behind you! We are an April couple too...April 21 :)

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  11. Also, your post made this pregnant girl cry

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  12. Happy Anniversary! :)

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  13. Beautiful. I have a husband who is similar--the thought of growing our family is so natural to him. I think men like that are sadly hard to find in this day, and I'm so thankful that he is who he is and that he trusts our Lord, the Church, and me. And now I'm due with #7 next month, and our oldest is 7. ;) Couldn't be happier! Happy anniversary.

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  14. Congratulations!! This is so beautifully written. :-)

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  15. Happy anniversary, you guys! I hope it's a wonderful day!

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  16. Happy anniversary Katrina & Chris! Here's to many, many more years (and children 😉)

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  17. That picture of you is just gorgeous! And I love what that priest said to you, glad you shared. Happy Anniversary :)

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  18. Love the confession story. Happy third anniversary Mr. and Mrs. Harrington! You have such a beautiful and inspiring family.

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  19. All of your comments and well wishes just make my morning. Thank you, and love you all!

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  20. Happy Anniversary! And what lovely advice.

    As for the pink eye... Have you ever tried breast milk? I know it sounds gross, but I've successfully cured pink eye in myself and in two of my babies. If that's too gross for you, I know that Polysporin makes an over-the-counter pink eye treatment that's pretty inexpensive, around $10 I think.

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