Welcome to Fairest Love Families! This series highlights families throughout the United States who have a love for their Catholic faith and a devotion to the Blessed Mother.
Meet Abby and Andrew Florenski!
How did you and your spouse meet?
My husband, Andrew, and I were both born and raised in northern Michigan. We met in high school during marching band (I played the flute and he played the trumpet!) Andrew and I were friends before we started dating, but eventually God put it on our hearts that we were supposed to be together. AJ went to trade school to become a lineman and I went to college at Ave Maria University after we graduated in 2019. We dated long distance while I was in Florida and we got engaged the summer before my senior year. On September 1st 2023, we tied the knot at our hometown parish. That year was filled with an abundance of blessings, from buying our first house to receiving the sacrament of matrimony. Our little family welcomed our biggest blessing yet, our sweet daughter Lucia, on August 10th of this year! Parenthood has been such a joy and we thank Jesus every day!
Do you have any religious traditions that you keep as a family?
We say prayers together every night before bed.
What role does your faith play in your family life?
God is the center of AJ and I’s marriage, family, and lives in general. We both encourage one another in our faith and believe that it is our top goal to get the other to Heaven.
What is your favorite devotion or prayer as a family? Why?
We have a special devotion to Our Lady of Fatima. This apparition of our beautiful mother has always been a powerful part of both our prayer journeys. We even named our daughter after St. Lucia!
What was a moment, personally or within your family, that you felt Our Lady working in your life?
I have felt Our Lady working in my life especially since becoming a mother myself. It’s been difficult adjusting and learning how to be a mom, but my relationship with Mary has grown stronger.
Share a moment when the Blessed Mother has helped you through a difficult time or a challenge you faced as a family…
The Blessed Mother has certainly been working in my life and in our family after we had our daughter. Becoming parents is a huge adjustment in life and I have felt comforted and strengthened by our Lady.
What would you want your children to take away from any particular devotion you have to the Blessed Mother?
I would want them to always know that they can go to Jesus THROUGH the Blessed Mother!
If you could impart any wisdom to your children about the faith, what would it be?
Trust in His Mercy and know how much Mary loves all her children. These two pieces of wisdom have always stuck with me.
How has Mary been a mother to you?
Mary has been a mother to me and a role model during my times of hardship and distress. When I am up at night with my crying baby or feeling too sleep deprived to get the chores done around the house, I know that Mary did it too, and that gives me strength.