I believe it was Catholic Social Teaching to be exact.
While most people think it would be crazy to attend a religious class every single day, I will be forever grateful that I had to spend twelve years doing just that.
In my junior year of high school, at St. Frances Cabrini, I had been attending CST all year long with the same peers. I was on the varsity soccer team, I was part of many extracurricular groups, and I thought I knew the majority of the people in my class year.
The seating in this classroom was particularly unusual for Cabrini, it was in the shape of a "U" while other rooms were set up in strict rows and individual seats. I don't believe this to be unusual for a religion class because of the inclusive nature of the subject. As students, we were learning about social constructs through our religion and how to embrace the common good not only for strangers but also our peers.
While learning about the goodness of our peers beyond our selfish thoughts, I failed to notice the important people that were right next to me! We were learning about taking care of those within our classroom, our local community, and our global community. I was always thinking about the bigger picture, how to be more like Mother Theresa, but I never bothered to look up from my extensive outlook to see the souls sitting right across from me.
One particular person especially.
If it weren't for this single class, I never would have met the one who has changed my life forever. My world was changed as soon as I looked up and opened my heart to who God had perfectly placed in my life. He had everything set up for me to meet my future fiancé at the time. All I had to do was look up. He was seated directly across from me, yet I never bothered to see what was right in front of me.
I will always look back at Cabrini with such a great amount of love in my heart because I was able to meet the one I plan on marrying someday soon.
This Christmas season, I just wish for people to be grateful for what they have, who they have, and that they are lucky to not only love someone but also be with them at the same time.
I want to wish a Merry Christmas to Tyler, who is almost done with his first deployment. May this holiday be not so lonely and cold where you are at.
I selfishly wish that God will bring him home to me in one piece both mentally and physically.
Merry Christmas.