Mr. and Mrs. Kootz

Being selfless allows for a person to look at another’s needs without being blinded or influenced by their own. What happens when two selfless people—especially two Catholics in a state of grace—are looking at one another like this? They are laying a foundation for a happy, peaceful, and holy marriage. There are other ways to have your needs met: some people beg and grasp at others to serve them, others might be demanding, still others might keep silent about their needs until the monster of resentment grows and grows in the silence.

Throughout their wedding day, Alma and Thomas’s friends repeatedly referred to them as selfless. There was even a story shared about how they knew the other was right for them while helping a loved one move. Selflessness is at the center of who they are and what they desire to find in others. Where is this selflessness learned? We were given a peek at this, too, when Keith, the father of the bride, addressed the couple.

As the couple and all of us present waited to hear what he would say, we could imagine what he might be thinking. His daughter, whom he refers to as his jewel, is now married. Perhaps some fathers struggle to share their little girl with her new husband, but that’s not what Keith had to say. Instead, he mentioned how he was handling Alma’s needs over to Thomas. He trusts Thomas with his daughter’s emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. There was no selfishness or clutching. He was freely giving his daughter away as a bride. Undoubtedly, this selflessness was modeled for Alma and Thomas by all of their parents and is why they have grown into the selfless individuals they are today.

Alma and Thomas, thank you for trusting us to capture your wedding day. It was a joy to celebrate with you and your loved ones! You and your family and friends remind us what it means to live well as a Christian. We’re so excited to see you grow into your vocation, and we’ll continue to pray for you!

Love,

Amy and Kyle