We baptized our twins yesterday at what we consider to be heaven on earth:

Notre Dame.

Chris and I met there at the start of our senior year. The moment I met him I thought he was THE HOTTEST GUY ON THE PLANET – fast forward 16 years and I feel like the luckiest wife in the world to have Chris for a husband. And, I still think he is devastatingly handsome.

We chose to baptize the twins at Notre Dame with our friends from Notre Dame. While I was sad to have no family present (especially considering all they did and continue to do for us and the twins), it meant so much to celebrate with the people who knew us when we were just Meau & Bruzer. Many of the people we socialize with now know us as Maureen & Chris Parents of Six Kids, but our college friends have seen us at our happiest, saddest, drunkest, funniest.  They remember who we were before kids and adult life consumed us. They know us like no one else. And we love them for it.

Before the ceremony I caught my friend Laura tearing up, which of course made me tear up. This baptism makes it official: we are all now bound to each other forever. Eighty years from now when I’m long gone and Elinor and Juliet are looking at pictures of their baptism, they will talk about their parents’ friends, and it will be evident just how important these relationships were to our family.

I love the simplicity and tradition of baptism. It is an ancient ritual that ties us to our ancestors. Even though our family couldn’t make it to South Bend, we certainly felt their spirits and warm wishes. Chris’s grandma Matka made the beautiful baptismal gowns by hand, and I brought along my grandma’s rosary that I inherited when she died a couple years ago. I received text messages of love from my parents and grandparents. Elinor and Juliet are loved by so many.

P.S. Evie and Mack were the readers during the very personal ceremony. Mack handled the Litany of the Saints very well, especially considering some of those saint’s names are not the easiest to pronounce!

LITANY OF SAINTS

Mack:    Notre Dame our Mother,

All:             Pray for us

Mack:    Saint Joseph

All:             Pray for us

Mack:    Saint John the Baptist

All:             Pray for us

Mack: Saints Cosmos and Damian, twins and the protectors of children,

All:             Pray for us

Mack: Saint Margaret of Scotland, patron saint of large families,

All:             Pray for us

Mack: Saint Michael the Archangel, patron saint of soldiers and battles,

All:             Pray for us

Mack: St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, patron saint of immigrants,

All:             Pray for us

And Evie read the petition:

Evie:         That Elinor and Juliet may feel welcomed into your holy Church. Let us pray to the Lord…

All:                 Lord, hear our prayer.

Evie:         Through baptism and confirmation, make Elinor and Juliet shining examples of your peace and love. Let us pray to the Lord…

All:                 Lord, hear our prayer.

Evie:         Help Elinor and Juliet learn the joy of service to others. Let us pray to the Lord…

All:                 Lord, hear our prayer.

Evie:         Make the lives of their parents, Maureen and Chris, and godparents, Dan, Laura, Jim and Mary examples of faith to inspire Elinor and Juliet. Let us pray to the Lord…

All:                 Lord, hear our prayer.

Evie:         Keep the Smithe and Brusznicki families and all gathered here, always in your love. Let us pray to the Lord…

All:                 Lord, hear our prayer.

Evie:         For immigrants, refugees and those searching for a safe home. Let us pray to the Lord…

All:                 Lord, hear our prayer.

Evie:         For Notre Dame, that it may continue to be an institution that fosters lifelong friendships, love of service, and peace in the world. Let us pray to the Lord…

All:                 Lord, hear our prayer.