Family: The First School of Freedom
As America celebrates 250 years of independence, we give thanks for the men and women who have defended our nation and protected our freedoms through sacrifice and service. At Couple to Couple League, we are also grateful for another kind of service: the generous volunteers who strengthen marriages and families by teaching Natural Family Planning. This year, we want to offer special thanks to our Teaching Couples who also serve, or have served, in the U.S. military.
The family has long been called the “first school of freedom.” In strong families we learn sacrifice, responsibility, love, and service to others, the very virtues that sustain both marriage and country. Our military Teaching Couples witness to those virtues every day.
A witness of joyful service
For Kevin and Adrienne Walsh, military life and NFP ministry naturally go together. As a U.S. Marine Corps family, they have taught NFP through assignments from North Carolina to Europe while raising six children. “Before you’re burdened with a thought of prolonged abstinence or whatever your mother told you, take a class,” Adrienne says. She loves helping couples discover that NFP is practical, effective, and rooted in understanding the body God created. For Kevin, teaching NFP is also an opportunity to share the faith: “I’m a regular Catholic, American guy, and I’m telling you I believe this, too.” Their witness reminds us that openness to life and trust in God bring real joy to marriage.
Sacrifice that strengthens marriage
Andy and Briana Wilson were both on active duty when they encountered Theology of the Body and NFP. What they learned transformed their marriage. “We were so far away from the joy and the beauty that God had intended,” Briana recalls of their years using contraception. As they embraced NFP, they found deeper communication and unity. “Learning the skills to discuss our fertility spilled over into other areas where we needed effective communication,” Andy says.
Now parents of six children, with two little ones in heaven, they share their story with other military and engaged couples, showing that openness to life is possible even in the demanding rhythm of military life.
Freedom rightly understood
Nick and Megan Nelson, a military family and CCL Teaching Couple, offer a powerful reflection on freedom during this anniversary year. “Society teaches us that freedom means the ability to do whatever we want,” Megan says. But true freedom, she explains, is the ability to choose what is good and right according to God’s design.
For the Nelsons, NFP became part of that freedom — a way of living marriage openly, faithfully, and in trust. “Each of our children have been timed perfectly according to God’s plan,” Megan says.
Thank you for your service
As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, we honor all who serve our nation. We also honor those who serve families, marriages, and the Gospel through volunteer ministry.
To our military families, our veterans, and our volunteer Teaching Couples: thank you. Your witness to sacrifice, faith, and openness to life helps build strong marriages, strong families, and a stronger nation. In the first school of freedom, the family, you are helping form hearts for both heaven and country.
Written by Martha Haenni, Assistant Editor for Family Foundations magazine, a quarterly benefit to our benefactors and supporters.