Saint Viator High School was built on a foundation of love. We are traditionally taught it here, learn it through ourselves and through our friends, and we apply it to our everyday life. Our pinnacle of love for another human comes through our relationship with a spouse, and students begin to test those waters in the classroom. Students planning for their romantic future may set standards that are free-spirited, conservative or in-between. As for senior Colin Bromer, he mainly approaches love from a conservative background.

“There are only a few people in life that you will truly love romantically,” said Bromer. “I love all my friends as friends, and if a close friend is female then that can lead to romantic love.”

Religion in current times is played down as an unimportant role in choosing a spouse to young people.

“I believe in God,” said Bromer. “As long as my partner has no problem with that I am okay. It would be easier to connect with someone who is Catholic but if I know them and love them it wouldn’t matter.”

This poses a troubling question of what religion differing spouses’ children will be, if any.

“I would want to raise my children Catholic but would highly consider input from my spouse,” said Bromer. “If there is any conflict I would like for our children to be taught about both religions and make the decision for themselves.”

Senior Mary Grace Kelleher sees problems that might arise when a family is split by differences in faiths.

“I would want to raise my kids Catholic,” said Kelleher. “I believe in the importance of raising children with faith but ultimately leaving it up to them to continue into adulthood, but I would consider marrying someone who is not Catholic as long as they were Christian.”

“Dating another Catholic was not a priority to me for most of my dating history,” said Ms. Emily Egan. “However (maybe ironically), I did end up getting engaged to another Catholic and our shared faith is one of the things I value most about our relationship.”

In reality, it doesn’t matter whether a person adheres to traditional values of love. What does matter is that the decisions made surrounding a relationship are carefully considered and compromise is reached between the two members of the relationship.