A good marriage is hard work – there’s no sugar-coating it – and Matt and Cameron Fradd say their 18-year union is no exception. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
What makes them stand out is their willingness to share the struggles and joys of their marriage with other Catholic couples.
Australian-born Matt is a public speaker, author and host of the popular podcast Pints with Aquinas. He met his American wife Cameron, a former missionary and current host of the marriage-focused podcast Among the Lilies, when they were both 22.
Reflecting on their decision to marry just a month later, Matt says, “I love that we just launched into it”.
The Fradds have recently completed a 10-day tour of Australia, speaking in Sydney, Wollongong, Albury, Brisbane and Melbourne.
At the Knights of the Southern Cross God and Bee’ event at Australian Catholic University’s Melbourne campus on February 6, Matt said, “We often say that if we waited until we were ready to be married, we may have got married five years ago.”
“I’m thrilled that we got to sort of grow up together.”
Their decision to wait to have sex until after they had married was also a significant part of their journey, and one based a mutual understanding that they were each “worth waiting for”.
Nevertheless, the Fradds faced their share of challenges early on.
Matt described how he and Cameron fell into patterns that worked initially but were not ultimately sustainable. He admitted he had come to the marriage with a tendency to look to someone else to make things better, while Cameron was the sort of person who felt it was her role to make sure everyone was okay.
The Fradds talked about the importance of communicating openly and honestly with each other, and seeking forgiveness when they hurt each other.
Matt also highlighted the need to prioritise God above all else, even in marriage.
Their advice for couples, whether dating or married, is rooted in faith, vulnerability and a willingness to work on themselves individually.
“Two half people don’t make a whole marriage; two whole people make a whole marriage,” Cameron said.
“So I need to be getting my worth and dignity from the Lord, [and Matt] needs to be doing the same. And then our marriage can be really good and strong.”
FULL STORY
Growing up together: Matt and Cameron Fradd on the sacred vocation of marriage (Melbourne Catholic)
