I grew up as the oldest of six children in a loving, faith-filled Catholic family on a farm outside of Columbus, Ohio. In the summer after ninth grade, I was invited to serve with a program called Catholic Youth Summer Camp that was in need of leaders for its pilot season. My impressive résumé (as the oldest of six kids) landed me a spot. After that summer, I was hooked. I came away convinced that I wanted to be involved in youth ministry for the rest of my life. I was also convinced that I wanted to serve alongside a girl I had met there named Monica.