• We Feel a Deeper Connection

We both feel that our thoughts and perspectives are highly valued and taken into account.  We come away with a synergistic picture of what OUR WEEK looks like.

•  We Experience Much Less Frustration Because of Mis-communications 

It has helped us eliminate so many avoidable frustrations that come from assumed expectations, or on the fly communication (Example:  "I didn't know that was tonight?  I mentioned it yesterday in a text when I asked you to pick up more coffee.")  

• Our Challenges Feel More Manageable 

One of the key questions we ask each other every week is, “what is the biggest thing on your plate this week and is there anything I can do to support or help you?”  

We have found that a burden shared or communicated is halved or at least feels lighter.  It gives us the opportunity to be vulnerable and let the other know how they can best support, encourage and pray for us in the week ahead. 

•  Our Excitement For The Week Feels Multiplied 

It allows us to communicate and set aside time in the week to meet each other's emotional and intimacy needs.

•  We Are Not Always “In The Mood” to make the effort

Having quality time together takes a real effort that one or both of us might not always be in the ‘mood’ to give, but when one or both of us push through the initial resistance, we are always glad we did. 

•  Thinking, “we are in a uniquely demanding phase right now, we’ll prioritize ourselves later”.

At times it can be very tempting for us to each feel that we have more urgent demands on our plate that justify pushing our planning time to the side. (sometimes this is true, but most of the time it is not)  

•  The Weekends Keep Getting Busier and The Distractions More Attractive

We have our marriage meeting on Sunday.  It’s a time we both find optimal for looking over the week, but it has required us at times to say “no” to very attractive things that pop up, in order for us to have the time to sit down together and have our marriage meeting.  The mindset that helps us make these challenging sacrifices is,“Things that matter most should never be displaced by things that matter less."

• Dr. John & Julie Gottman (Authors of 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work)
• Mort & Naomi Fertel (His Marriage program has helped over 3 million people)  
• Dr. James Dobson (Founder of Focus On The Family)
• Mike & Alicia Hernon (The Messy Family Project) 
• Gal Szekely and Liron Cohen (Founders of The Couples Center)
• Bradford Wilcox & Jeffrey Dew (National Marriage Project)
• Dr. Jordan Peterson (World Renowned Clinical Psychologist)
• Dr. Paulette Sherman (Author of 11 Reasons A Weekly Date Night Is Critical)
• Dr. Yasmine Saad (Clinical psychologist & bestselling author)
• Dr. Brian D. Doss (Professor of Psychology, University of Miami)
• Dr. Andrew Christensen (Professor of Psychology, UCLA) 
• Dr. Stephen Covey  (Author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People)  
• Christopher Carter (Author of Uncommon Habits of Great Catholic Fathers and Grandfathers)