“Even more urgent in our times, though, is the witness of your unity to the whole world.”

Moments before Sam & Caiti said their vows, they were reminded that the world was about to change because of their actions. What they were choosing to do may be considered crazy, committing to love this one person every day, even through all their imperfections – but that’s the thing; they were choosing to do it.

Instead of settling for the comfort that comes with individualism & convenience, they are choosing holiness.

The stories we hear from the world make it hard to feel like there are other people out there who don’t want to settle for mediocrity, who want to challenge the status quo.

And Sam & Caiti? They’re trying to become saints.

Sam’s best man described him as “The Best Friend” – the supportive, steadfast, willing to carry you when you can’t fathom your next step kind of companion. He tries to be the living, breathing church for the people in his life and man, that reception was full of people who’ve experienced a genuine Sam Flynn hug that holds more than just a “Hello!” in the embrace.

And Caiticakes – she is a gem. She thinks before she speaks, feeling the weight of using the right words & the potential they have to convey truth & build people up. She cares about letting others know she appreciates them, whether through a handwritten note or offering them up in prayer. She’s a woman of her word, sacrificing time & talents to follow through with her friends.

Their story does not end here, with their wedding day. We need to tell people about them, about how they live their lives, about how beautiful it was to witness their marriage begin. Stories of their lives should be shared across dinner tables, remembered for being all in, no matter the sacrifice. And one day, when their kids & grandkids gather around on the couch to flip through their wedding album, they will be talked about with respect and admiration.

As Father Cristino said to Sam & Caiti during their ceremony,

“The example of your love must be as a ray of light into a dark abyss of individualism and loneliness. The antidote for the rampant disunity of our times is the courageous witness of those who have freely chosen to say ‘no’ to themselves as individuals and ‘yes’ to another with whom they will share a life lived out of unity.”

(Can I get an amen & a high five & a fist pump for Fr. Cristino, y’all?)

PS. Shoutout to Ben Francis for assisting me here in Calgary!! It was his first time second shooting a wedding EVER so if you see him around please give him a high five for not only being a wonderful photographer, but also a genuinely helpful & thoughtful sidekick to me that day!!

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