As we await the birth of our first child, it is interesting to remember the role God played in our relationship. Along the way we were met with several obstacles that seemed insurmountable. We now know that with God’s help and our commitment to each other, we were able to overcome these challenges and find the light that has always been present. Understanding the similarity of God’s love and message of hope sheds light on our life just as God’s love will soon shed light on a new soul.

We met in the latter years of high school at a conference, but it wasn’t until a Salesian Retreat led by our Catholic Educators that a true meaningful relationship was born. It didn’t take long to realize that our friendship had unexpectedly grown into a deeper love. Shortly into our relationship we were faced with our first challenge—illness. As my future wife’s hair started to fall I asked God “why?” God answered my question every time Maria came out of her radiation treatment, looked straight at me and smiled. God helped us through this difficult moment and in so doing brought us closer than imagined. Maria is now healthier than she ever was. Thank you Lord.

After our wedding engagement and just before our planning was complete—another challenge. God cushioned the blow of an elevator that fell five stories, with Maria and my parents inside. Of course, we didn’t realize God’s role in this obstacle until later. This truly tested our faith. And yet with the help of our Redemptorist Church we found God’s love. I am reminded everyday how blessed we are. Maria can walk, she is healthy and our bond is strong. Thank you Lord.

Our bond is held together by an inexplicably strong love. This love is what we feel when we are close to God. When we help those less fortunate, when we share in our faith and as we minister to the youth in our classrooms, we are reminded of how much God’s love has touched our lives.

As we expect our first child and another miracle in our life we thank God once more. Our son will be born into a small but loving family. Every kick we feel reminds us that another one of God’s miracles will soon arrive. We wait for this gift while continuing to bask in God’s unending love. Waiting to share this light with our future son—Alexander.

By: Christian and Maria (and Alexander) Cepeda