This year we had a unique Valentine’s Day because it fell on the same day as Ash Wednesday for the first time since 1945!
On one hand, it took a lot of the pressure off. We didn’t have to plan a fancy dinner or anything extravagant. On the other hand, I was hangry. Usually on Ash Wednesday I go to work and put on a happy face and politely decline invitations to lunch and coffee. Then when I go home, I have a bowl of soup and crochet or do something alone.
It is WAY different when you’re fasting with a significant other. First off, I can’t thank Daniel enough for coming with me to mass (even when I was not a happy camper), taking me on a scenic flight and braving the grocery store at the end of the day when we were starving. Secondly, we’re buying soup ahead of time for Good Friday, duh!
The most notable thing from the day was that no one at work knew I was Catholic! The mass we went to before work at St. James was packed and there were several lunchtime masses in the area so it was surprising that I was the only person at work with ashes.
A few people asked me if I was comfortable talking about being Catholic and telling them what the ashes meant. Of course, I’m totally open about my faith and I would love to help others find their path if they are exploring religion.
When I told Daniel, he had a ton of great advice for how to respond to questions and how to share without being overwhelming. He also reminded me that we don’t live in a place where the majority of people are catholic or even religious. In the past we’ve managed to find communities of like minded people through school or our parish and I guess I didn’t realize how much I missed those connections.
This Lent, we’ll be trying out Alpha and I’m really hoping to meet some other couples that are like-minded in our ‘Engaged Encounter’ next month.
Briana Ledesma 