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What does a former NFL quarterback do when he thinks it is time for his family to do some bonding? According to Rick Strom, you have a family huddle to pray.
Do you sometimes feel that the two of you are alone in standing up for what you believe in? Do your values seem to contradict society's values? Rick and Karen shared their personal experiences of being A Christian in the Lion's Den at the National Catholic Engaged Encounter Convention in Pittsburgh.
Rick was born and raised in Pittsburgh, playing football and working towards his goal of playing for the Steelers. That dream was nearly stopped in its tracks when Rick was injured in the last skirmish of a high school practice game. He recovered, and went on to play for Georgia Tech, graduating with a degree in management. Strom was a quarterback from 1989-93 for the Pittsburgh Steelers, in 1994 with the Buffalo Bills, and in 1996 with the Detroit Lions. Rick described the NFL as a "continuation of adolescence with money in your pocket."
Karen was raised in southern Georgia as a Methodist. She met Rick at college and graduated with a degree in math education. They dated 6 years before getting married. During this time, they learned about one another's spirituality, went on retreats, maintained their long distance relationship, stayed committed to their faiths, and were abstinent.
As Rick matured in his catholic faith he wondered if the faith was his own or just a habit. Karen joined an evangelical prayer group as she searched her own faith. Eventually, drawn to the Mass, she participated in the Catholic church's RCIA program and converted to Catholicism. Attending the sessions with her, Rick learned more about his own faith. They prayed the Rosary together for six weeks prior to their marriage for confirmation about using NFP to plan their family.
They have four children, all successfully conceived using NFP. Rick is in real estate and works at Trammell Crow. He has also written for New Covenant and Our Sunday Visitor, and appeared on the EWTN network. They are active in their parish, and present marriage preparation sessions for engaged couples. Some of their recommendations for keeping their marriage fresh and exciting include:
