Steven and Jessica, The Present

Jessica and Steven celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary while living at Samaritan House. Now, conventional wisdom says there might be a whole slew of places more romantic to commemorate such an event. In fact, if most husbands or wives would suggest a homeless shelter as an anniversary-destination-location to their spouse, there is a great chance there would be no anniversary to celebrate the following year.

The couple was used to having money. Back in Massachusetts, they might not have been wealthy, but they were comfortable. Previous anniversaries were met with gifts and dinners and all the trimmings of society's ideas of what an anniversary should be. Never, in a thousand years, did the couple imagine the reality they would face. And it was a great anniversary; perhaps one of their best.

They had a picnic and focused on what was important: each other. It was a happy occasion because their life was improving and they felt as of they were getting back on their own two feet. It was a reminder that even if they lost every possession they had, they ultimately still had what was most important in life. They had each other.

After their entry into Samaritan House, Jessica decided to pay a visit to the local Boys and Girls Club in Kalispell to see what activities might be available for her kids. It was important to the couple that their family remained active and the Boys and Girls Club would provide an avenue for mental, social, and physical activity for her sons. She soon noticed two things: an advertisement for a summer camp for the kids and a job opening. Jessica would eventually secure both. Steven began volunteering his time, as well, sharing his artistic abilities with kids at the club. It was important to him that he set an example to his family. Being homeless did not equate with being a victim.

And that's what this whole story has been about, really.

It would have been easy and convenient for this family to have given up at any point along their journey. But they continued to persevere through each situation and never gave up hope. They have learned to be grateful in the midst of disparity and found that giving back to others helps them heal and move forward.

They will not be at Samaritan House forever, but the time spent there lets them reflect on their life and what they've gone through. Growing closer together permits them to affect change in other people's lives. Steven and Jessica never intended to become homeless, but life often tries to dictate circumstances to us. It's how we respond that counts and allows us to feel a connection to the rest of humanity.

This was one specific family's story, but it could be anyone's.