Light of Faith Photography: October 2012

"One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life. That word is Love."

-Sophocles

How these past months have felt like incredible years! After a long period of travel, exciting adventures, and a treasure trove of new friendships... alas!!! we are settling into our new home. Karim just started his MBA program and I have begun my job search. While these two new transitions hold great hopes and responsibilities, we are trying our best to cherish this period of normality. What we are finding is that nothing compares!! Our walks to main st., kicked-back movie nights, work days at the coffee table, and cooking 'experiments', have each contributed to that deepened sense awareness that I am truly living out my day-to-day life with my best friend!

hahaha, A couple of weeks ago we even had the chance to attend our first couples' weekend retreat. Karim's parents hosted it as part of the New Families movement in the Focolare. I think we won the title of being 'the freshest out of the oven'. It might sound like a joke that only 2 months into our marriage we've already attended a retreat to enrich our marriage. Our perspective, however, fit the retreat surprisingly well. Having shared the weekend with a diverse group of couples, our eyes were opened to the common threads of marriage as well as some of the intrinsically unique and beautiful things of our own marriage. One phrase that stuck with me was that to truly love in marriage- one has to love with all one’s mind, heart, and will. I have commonly used the phrase: "I love you with alllllllll my heart!!!" The reflection presented the possibility that even this alone may come short of that all-encompassing love that each of us deserves. The phrase with all one's mind, heart, and will rings with such clarity when we think of Christ's teachings and examples of love, where the three worked harmoniously to acknowledge and mercifully embrace the other in love.

"We love because God first loved us" [1 John 4:19]. There have been so many moments where I have been humbled by Karim's sincere acts of love. His generous heart in these moments of love have revealed the image of God's all encompassing love in the mind, heart, and will. There is nothing more powerful and inspiring than to allow this image to fill and transform one’s heart. I know we both have our shortcomings but remembering these moments, and allowing them to guide the process of starting anew- have already proven to awaken an inner strength to see the smallness of most things in this world. What a responsibility it is to ensure this aspect of unconditionally loving each other.

I came across a beautiful quote the other day which read: "Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand. Anyone may gather it, and no limit is set." [Mother Teresa]. In its simplicity, mercy and forgiveness, hope, smiles and laughter, joy, peace, and moments of awe- I hope our lives to be a reflection of this most beautiful fruit. Love will always be there. Effort, therefore, lies in opening my eyes to it and experiencing it anew each day.

Thank you for your love and support in this most amazing journey!

With all my love,

Teresa Chehadé!!