Christendom’s final Life on Tap event of the semester, part of a series featuring alumni interviews about life after graduation, welcomed back three married alumni couples to discuss the joys and challenges of newlywed life. Luke ’22 and Erin ‘23 Borrajo, Dominic ’23 and Kate ‘23 Smith, and Brian ’22 and Sarah ’24 Hicks shared insights on vocation discernment, dating at Christendom, and the early years of marriage in a panel hosted by Kristin Stephens, Christendom’s Director of Career Development.
Luke and Erin Borrajo met at Christendom and began dating after a year of friendship. Erin is currently a stay-at-home wife and is expecting their first child, while Luke works as a Sales Team Leader at Roofsimple. Dominic and Kate Smith started dating as freshmen. Today, Dominic works at Allclaims Pro Public Adjusting Firm, while Kate is a stay-at-home mom to their newborn. Brian and Sarah Hicks were introduced by Brian’s cousin before they both attended Christendom. Brian works at ClaimStar Public Adjusting, and Sarah is a stay-at-home mom to their first child.
While students come to Christendom to discern their career paths, many also use their time at the college to discern their vocation — whether to religious life or to marriage through a dating relationship. The alumni couples shared their own discernment journeys at Life on Tap, with Brian Hicks noting, “You’re discerning the vocation, but you’re discerning whether you’re going to marry this person.” Their advice to students was to seek solace through regular prayer and to judge any relationship based on whether it was leading them closer to God.
The three couples also gave dating advice, recommending that students take advantage of the college’s community life to do activities together and to prioritize planned quality time together. Most of all, they encouraged dating couples to stay grounded in a healthy spiritual life and regular reception of the sacraments. “It’s part of your formation whether it works out or not,” Dominic Smith reminded students.
When discussing married life, the couples agreed that managing day-to-day life with babies and full-time jobs was a challenge, but they suggested that students set aside intentional time for their spouse and put in effort to maintain other friendships. Despite these difficulties, the new parents highlighted the great joy of raising children and of their new family life, as well as the tremendous opportunity for growth and the beauty of seeing one’s spouse fulfilling their vocation.
In closing, the couples shared what they considered most important for relationships, emphasizing self-awareness of one’s own character and a developed spiritual life as the strongest foundation for a relationship. Dominic Smith and Brian Hicks encouraged students to begin practicing self-sacrifice now in preparation for the greater sacrifices of marriage and family life. “You need something grounded that’s going to bring you closer, and you both need to be pursuing that thing — and that’s Christ,” said Luke Borrajo. “Your vocation is not going to fix your faults.”
Christendom’s Career and Professional Development Office offers opportunities to hear from alumni at Life on Tap at least three times a semester. In addition to Life on Tap, students are given regular chances to attend relevant career workshops, such as a Stay-At-Home Mom workshop offered for female students every year.
For more information, visit Christendom’s Career Development site.
Contributed by Bridget Palm ’28.