It was four years ago this summer when we accepted an invitation. Our pastor at the time, Fr. Jeff Lewis, asked Sidney and me if we would join the Spokane chapter of Engaged Encounter. The Catholic organization is a ministry that prepares engaged couples for marriage via dynamic retreats. We said yes.

By saying “yes” to an invitation to join a special ministry four years ago, we found ourselves at the 2026 Engaged Encounter National Convention.

Thanks to Fr. Jeff and the people of the Spokane Engaged Encounter community, we were afforded opportunities. Within a year we delivered our first enrichment at a team meeting, within two years we were presenting at retreats, and in January 2025 we were discerned as the local coordinators/leaders for our Spokane community.

This past weekend we took our next step in becoming even more ingrained with this special organization as we attended the Catholic Engaged Encounter National Convention in Atlanta.

Sidney looks into the main ballroom as announcements are made at the 2026 Catholic Engaged Encounter National Convention.

The opportunity to travel to Georgia to attend the convention gave Sid and me the chance to experience the depth and richness of Engaged Encounter. It is an international organization that is doing God’s work by staging impactful retreats every weekend. It was inspiring to see so many couples just like us converge at the Hilton Atlanta Airport to discuss our ministry, share best practices, and celebrate our Catholic faith.

Our weekend was amazing. I have so much to express about our time in Atlanta but to keep this post manageable, I thought I would share five themes from the conference that I will truly never forget.

It was nice to attend an Engaged Encounter event where we didn’t have to speak at but it didn’t stop Sid from acting like she did 😉.

Meeting New People – As I briefly mentioned, the convention gave us the chance to network with others beyond our Spokane community who are deeply involved in Engaged Encounter. We met people from all over the country and beyond who pour their souls into presenting at retreats, navigate the same challenges we do, and desire to keep moving the ministry forward. From small groups to breakout sessions to sharing meals, we had countless chances to meet like-minded and passionate Catholics who want nothing more than to prepare engaged couples for the sacrament of holy matrimony.

Sid participates in a small group conversation about best practices for following up with Engaged Encounter couples who go on retreats with EE ministry members from all across the country.

Paul J. Kim – Let me say this: The trip to Atlanta was worth it just for the sole reason of listening to Paul J. Kim deliver two keynote addresses. The Catholic influencer captured my heart and had me reduced to tears for both talks. His first keynote on Friday night focused specifically on marriage and highlighted how our ministry equips couples for success—both in the short term and long term. He also reminded us that marriage prepares couples for the ultimate wedding feast in Heaven but to stay vigilant because Satan hates marriage (it produces children, among other things) and will do anything to sew discord and chaos.

We had the opportunity to meet Paul J. Kim and he was so kind and down to earth.

His second keynote on Saturday morning was about his son, Micah, who passed away on Dec. 31 at the age of 5. The courage and honesty he summoned to tell us about his son’s sudden and unexpected death followed by the incredible graces that have transpired since his passing had me in awe. If you aren’t following Paul J. Kim on Instagram do yourself a favor and tap here.

With a photo of his son up on the screen, Michael J. Kim mustered up the courage to tell the story of Micah.

Our Friends From Joilet – When everyone checked in at the convention on Friday, we were all given a card with the names of another couple. The charge was to seek that couple out, chat with them, and then write about their strengths. We were paired with Ruben and Veronica Manzanares from the Joilet (Illinois) Engaged Encounter community. Our paths crossed on Saturday morning and not only would we eat lunch with them but we also sat next to each other at the special evening dinner as well. Reuben and Veronica were so kind, humble, and courteous.

Sid and I pose for a photo with Ruben and Veronica Manzanares during lunch at the 2026 Engaged Encounter National Convention in Atlanta.

We might have seemed like opposites: they are Hispanic (we are white), have three adult children (we have two children under 10), and live in the Midwest (we live in the Northwest) but we also had much in common as well. Conversation flowed so effortlessly and we can’t wait to stay in touch with them. When we parted, Ruben told us we were welcome to visit them in Illinois by saying “Mi casa es tu casa.”

At the special dinner on Saturday night, Sid and I walked into the ballroom and sat down at a table. Two seats were saved to the left of me. About 10 minutes after we sat down, Reuben and Veronica Manzanares walked inside and sat down right next to us. They had saved the seats but we had no idea until that moment.

Watching Our Mentors Shine – Fr. Jeff Lewis brought us into the Engaged Encounter ministry but Ric and Cindy Gaunt took us under their wing. The Gaunts encouraged us to become presenters, workshopped our talks, advocated for us to become Spokane local coordinators, and have supported us so much over the past four years. We have even had the pleasure to present with them at two different retreats. Their encouragement has meant a lot for many reasons, including their standing at the national level of EE. For two people who are so well-respected at the top of the organization, it meant a lot that they would go to bat for us.

It was an honor to attend the 2026 Engaged Encounter National Convention with Ric and Cindy Gaunt. What incredible mentors they are.

Let me tell you, it was a joy to see them in their element at the convention. They led region meetings in their role as Northwest leaders, presented to the entire group on priest relations via their national board appointment, and worked behind the scenes to make sure things ran smoothly. Whenever Sid and I would introduce ourselves as the local coordinators of Spokane, the response would typically be an excited, “You must know Ric and Cindy!!” We might be the junior couple, but Sid and I will still unequivocally say that we are very proud of the Gaunts and were impressed by their performance at the convention.

Ric and CIndy Gaunt shined in their national and regional roles at the 2026 Engaged Encounter National Convention.

Time With Sidney – And last but definitely not least, what a blessing this weekend has been for Sid and me as a couple. To spend time together on such a spectacular and meaningful stage has not been lost on us. When we sat down at the beautiful dinner on Saturday night, I looked at my wife and said, “Did you ever think we would be sitting here five years ago?” The answer was a big “NO” as we didn’t even know about Engaged Encounter at the time. We have had so many special and profound moments at this convention that we are so appreciative of. However, nothing will surpass the moment we shared when we prayed together during Paul J. Kim’s Friday night keynote (a close second was slow dancing to “I’ll Be” by Edwin McCain at the convention party 😂). That was a moment I won’t soon forget.

Thanks be to God! What a blessing it was to spend time with Sidney at the 2026 Catholic Engaged Encounter National Convention.

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Sidney and I thank the Convention Planning Team for putting together such an enriching conference. We realize how blessed and lucky we were to attend and can only hope that one day we will return for another Catholic Engaged Encounter National Convention…hopefully in San Antonio in 2028! Until then, with God’s grace, Sid and I will do our best to live our vows everyday while encouraging others to do the same. Don’t Blink.