We Gotta Be Constantly Reforming

Meredith and Brendan Gotta are a recently married couple living in Charlotte, NC. Brendan runs the Gotta Be Saints apostolate, and frequently gives talks about the faith. Meredith works as an IT consultant, but also enjoys speaking at young adult events and volunteering in prison ministry.

The months after our wedding were the first we’d ever spent living in the same city, and it became known rather quickly that our daily habits that worked while dating long distance weren’t going to be a match for marriage. Not only did we need to learn to be healthier individually, we also had to identify sustainable habits to take care of our bodies, minds, and souls as a couple. Just as we were in the midst of this season, we began the Reform Online program. It couldn’t have come at a better time!

We identified early on that the two pillars most important to our mutual reform were nutrition and personal growth. While we both have different eating habits, after completing the Nutrition module we were able to better identify how to change some habits in order to feel healthier each day and be better witnesses to our communities and one another. We have looked for ways to reduce gluten intake when possible, and through many conversations spurred by Reform content, came to understand the necessity of sharing more meals together and establishing a consistent dinner routine.

After getting married, it was natural that we wanted to spend all our free time together. However, after a few months we realized we were missing some of the activities we did before getting married. With the help of Reform, we were able to discuss with one another the things we both needed to be our best selves, and then put those discussions into action.

In the months of working through Reform Online together,we grew closer as a couple as we had a mutual platform to discuss areas affecting our daily lives very concretely. We will spend the rest of our lives looking to improve across the pillars, but are grateful to now have a better understanding of the necessity of examining habits across the board and supporting one another through it all. We would recommend this program for engaged couples, newly married couples, or any couples who have realized their priorities and health may need a kickstart.