Fireproof

I've been getting e-mails at work for months about the new movie, "Fireproof," from the makers of "Facing the Giants" (and "Flywheel," which I believe was straight-t0-video). I watched the trailer and I thought it looked really good, in spite of-- or maybe because of-- the fact that it stars Kirk Cameron. (As an 80's kid, I have fond memories of watching "Growing Pains," I confess!)
The e-mails urged people to spread the word so that when this movie opened in theaters across the nation (a big feat for a Christian movie company), people would actually go see it. I didn't figure the movie would come to my city in Kansas, and when they'd give the times and places of the advanced screenings, I barely read them...
So what a surprise that our staff was in Wichita for a leadership conference and we had a chance to go see the movie, over 6 weeks before it opens on September 26th. I was thrilled! (Funny story: the screening was at a Catholic church and I believe we were the only five Protestants in the room, so when they said a prayer and crossed themselves, the moment screamed, "Awkward!")
Let me tell you, the movie was good. I'd say it's good for anyone who has been married, is going to be married, or wonders what it's like to be married. For anyone who has fought with their spouse or wondered how on earth anyone can be driven to cheat. For anyone who realizes that you never know what's going on in someone else's home no matter how things appear. And most of all, for anyone who wonders if there is hope when your relationship hits rock bottom.
Ten years ago, my husband of five years and I made the painful decision to get separated. Then we decided to divorce. Then we thought maybe we shouldn't...We'd rushed into marriage when we were far too young to know what we were doing (despite our well-meaning friends' and families' warnings), had two fabulous-but-challenging children, and the stress was too much. I will certainly not go into details, because it is too personal, and there is an off chance that someone might read this (despite the name of my blog), but let's just say that it was a relief when we split up, for everyone.
Ironically enough (since this movie is about firefighters), it wasn't until my friend lost her husband in a fire that he was fighting, that I realized how much I loved my husband. I realized that all of the demands I was holding out for in order to reconcile were pretty silly in the grand scheme of things. My husband had already made the biggest changes, the ones that mattered, and I wanted to get back together with him. Thankfully, I did, and though it hasn't always been easy, we have definitely been blessed in the long-run by our decision to recommit to one another and our marriage.
My kids don't come from a broken home like I did, and though my daughter is too young to remember the separation (of 10 months), and my son barely does, I hope now they know that it is possible to get through problems and make a marriage work, based on what they know about our experience. I would be lying if I said everything is hunky-dorey in our home, but they have seen an example of commitment that I praye they will carry with them into their own relationships (which I hope don't happen for a long, long time!)
Which brings me back to "Fireproof." The movie is funny, sad, touching, and deliciously corny. It would be a great date movie, that's for sure! And I heard Kirk Cameron on the radio the other day saying that in the scene where he kisses his movie "wife," they backlit it and he was actually kissing his real wife, because he wanted to be true to her. Awww!