Testimonials

Love One Another
As I Have Loved You
JOHN 15:12

Testimonials from couples who attended a Marriage Encounter Experience.

Scott & Tracey

"We married in 1995 and have 4 young adult children. We have always considered ourselves the closest of soul mates. Life in the last few years has brought deeper challenges and hardships than we expected and this marriage enrichment has given us tools to increase closeness and connection as we continue to navigate our life together. We valued the “Weekly Series” format as compared to the alternative of taking the course over one full weekend. It granted us as the extended duration of 7 evenings over 7 weeks which gave us opportunity to process the information each step along the way and begin to integrate the learning into our daily lives in small doable chunks. We appreciated the small group format and felt cared for and supported each step of the way."
~ Scott & Tracey

Gary & Liana

"It was an amazing Weekend, one of the best things we have ever done for our marriage. Wish we had done it long before our 25th Anniversary.” ~ Gary & Liana

“We experienced both the online Weekly Series and in-person ME Weekend. Both are very rich and we believe extremely worthwhile for couples in different stages of life. We very much treasure both of our ME experiences, and have no regrets - they’ve been such a valuable part of our marriage landscape.” ~ Josh & Sarah

Martin & Nesta

“Wow! We thought our marriage was already great but the Marriage Encounter Weekend took it to a whole new level - bigger and better!” ~ Martin & Nesta

“Our Marriage Encounter weekend was life-giving to our relationship. We literally fell in love with each other all over again” ~ Lloyd D.
“I’m so glad we took the risk and went to Marriage Encounter!” ~ Rosemary D.

William & Eden

"The weekend helped us understand each other better because of its focus on opening up discussions regarding pivotal topics in marriage. In doing so it highlighted our differences and similarities in regards to our expectations for each other and life. Being able to connect around those things was very eye opening and helped us grow closer. We would also like to mention how solidifying the environment at the weekend was. Seeing so many others serious about having healthy, lifelong commitments, helped us realize 'we can do this!' " ~ William & Eden

“Marriage Encounter has given us a deep foundation to our marriage relationship. It has been instrumental in learning how to share deeply with each other. As a result, our passion for adventure and travel has been renewed as well as rekindling other desires!” ~ Mark & Terri

Garry & Heather

“…a thought from the male perspective…I was pretty apprehensive about attending a Weekend. My thought was, 'Our marriage is just fine, why does Heather think we need this?' But, what I discovered through the Weekend was an openness and closeness between us that I had never imagined possible. During and ever since, we’re not afraid to sort through any situation that comes along, we deal with it openly and properly. There is no doubt that this was the single most important thing we have ever done for our marriage!” ~ Garry (& Heather)

Laurier & Margot

“Before our Marriage Encounter Weekend, we certainly would have said that we had a great marriage. Still, our ME Weekend and subsequent involvement in our ME Spiral has allowed us not only to fall more deeply in love, but also to deal with those things we were struggling to express. We now have great tools and support to share our hearts. What a gift!” ~ Laurier & Margot

Bruce & Jay

“We went to the Weekend without much in the way of expectations, and were surprised and delighted by how much the Weekend improved our communications and our relationship!” ~ Bruce & Jay

Gary & Kathryn

“Marriage Encounter – to be quite honest, we really didn’t know what it was. Sure, we had seen the brochures on the church bulletin board, but never paid them much attention. We always thought of many excuses not to go: What to do with the kids? What about our other weekend obligations? Then, as I was looking for something different and special to give Kathy for Christmas, a voice inside of me said, “Give it a try.” To say we were glad that we did would be an understatement. That weekend changed our marriage – and our lives! We came away with a feeling of being revitalized. And the “afterglow” had a lasting effect- even the kids noticed a change.” ~ Gary & Kathryn

Ralph & Shirley

"We were married in1993. This was a second marriage for both of us as we had previously lost our spouses due to unexpected deaths. In 1997 we decided we wanted to experience a Marriage Encounter Weekend to enhance our marriage—to make our good marriage even better. This marriage was our second chance at happiness and we wanted to do everything we could to make it the best it could be. The M.E. Weekend was a truly wonderful experience for us. It drew us so much closer together and exposed us to some very useful communication techniques. After the Weekend, we joined a Spiral group where we could continually reinforce the good things about our marriage in the company of several couples who also valued their marriage as much as we valued ours. Marriage is the most important relationship we have in our life—we value it and want to keep it strong." ~ Ralph & Shirley

“It was a good weekend—a fair amount of work, but definitely worth the effort! We have a young family and there seems like there is literally no time for each other. This weekend definitely helped us to connect at a whole new level.” ~ Sarah and Don B.

“My ‘good marriage’ attitude was given a re-evaluation when I discovered that I was not the good listener that I thought I was. Our Marriage Encounter was the start of a process of improved communication for me with my wife—in fact, it was the catalyst to a new, fresh relationship.” ~ Oliver N.
“It helped me see and accept Oliver better, as well as accepting myself. What a growth weekend it was!’” ~ Donna N.

Andrew & Salome

"Our friends Renee and Allen had been on a Marriage Encounter Weekend retreat and raved about how positive it had been for their marriage. We had wanted to go too, but the timing didn't work.
A few years later Allen died tragically in a car accident. He was only 30. We were all devastated. He left behind two beautiful young children and a heart broken wife. They were a couple that radiated love for each other, and had put in the work to keep that spark alive. At Allen's funeral, Renee shared some pieces of their love letters from their weekend retreat & others they had written afterwards. Their kind words for each other were so touching, and they moved us deeply. Watching Renee's tribute to her husband, it was clear that no words were left unsaid before he suddenly passed away. They really loved each other with intention. It inspired my husband and I to do better, and to have more written words to share with each other than just the to-do lists we had every day.
We attended our first Marriage Encounter Weekend in 2017, after a harrowing year including a tragic house fire and multiple losses in our family. It helped get us out of survival mode and reconnect to our deeper purpose and love. We also participated in a virtual refresh session at the start of the Covid19 pandemic, which really helped us set the tone for our relationship during social isolation. Both experiences helped us deepen our love, re-connect and improve our communication. We've learned that life is short, and we want to be intentional about our love for each other." ~ Andrew & Salome

Peter & Cheryl

"We are so grateful for the Marriage Encounter weekend we attended in November 2020. At first, we wondered what could make our happy marriage even better? We were surprised to find that our relationship became stronger, we were more in sync with each other and in general, we paid more attention to one another. On another level, our spiritual intimacy grew deeper and still today we look forward to starting each day with openness, trust and honesty. ME allows us to be able to express our true feelings on any topic—without blame, guilt or judgment. It was one of the best gifts we have ever had.
An added benefit is that we feel privileged to have the support of many members of our church community. We feel that we belong to a group that holds marriage to a high standard and that we have the secret to a happier marriage. We definitely want to share this gift with other married couples." ~ Peter & Cheryl

Brian & Janice

“It was a wonderful Weekend. We found the friendships we have made since with our Spiral and beyond have definitely enriched our lives.” ~ Brian & Janice

“We live very busy lives, with too little time for each other. Our Marriage Encounter weekend started us on a new level of communication. It gave us tools to endure many stressful situations.” ~ Rob S.
“And it’s allowed us to grow in our own ways, while drawing closer to each other.” ~ Marg S.

Chris & Krista

“Our Weekend was a real blessing in our marriage. We really appreciated hearing the stories from the presenting couples and the way they were shared with such obvious care and commitment. On the Weekend we learned some really practical tools for strengthening and deepening our communication with one another - tools we've used since and are thankful for. We have recommended M.E. to a lot of our friends because we think it is a great resource, especially in that it encourages folks to take the time to build and strengthen their marriage relationships which, in the end, also helps to build stronger families and communities.” ~ Chris & Krista

Doug & Leanne

“The ME Weekend helped us draw closer and truly renew our marriage. Awesome communication skills were learned and are very useful to keep our marriage fresh!” ~ Doug & Leanne

Ed & Janice

"A weekend of devoting completely to each other gave us tools and skills to help us enhance many facets of our relationship. It helped us to develop insight and improve our communication not only in our marriage, but within everyday life. In addition, we have developed lifelong friendships being part of the marriage encounter community." ~ Ed & Janice

Tim & Mary

"This special weekend was solely for us to get away from our day to day lives! No worrying about the children or how the house will run without us, was great, so that we could focus on us - the original two. We relearned to focus on our communication styles and ensure that we are both on the same wavelength. It was a wonderful, but an emotionally draining weekend, as we discussed our intimate fears, concerns and hopes for our marriage. We both realized that we are in sync (most of the time) with common goals, but have different operating modes and need to be considerate of each others' feelings. Taking the time to discuss what matters to each of us is important in understanding how we think. We became closer in our marriage, as we now are able to be more open with one another. If not with your spouse - then who?" ~ Tim & Mary

Gary & Lee

"Our marriage has been blessed and enriched by attending our ME Weekend and participating in Spiral. The dialogue technique we learned on the Weekend is an excellent method for encouraging deep conversations about our feelings, which has resulted in greater intimacy between Gary and me. We look forward to our Spiral evenings as a time to focus on us as a couple, and to be with other couples who value marriage as we do." ~ Gary & Lee

Greg & Wendy

“Our M.E. Weekend literally transformed our marriage. The loving communication technique of dialoguing was like a key that opened our hearts and reinvigorated our relationship. We were reminded how much a healthy marriage must use skills and effort to keep growing. Who would have thought that a Weekend could make such a difference in our lives!” ~ Greg & Wendy

“Our Marriage Encounter helped us heal some hurtful situations that were pulling us apart. We’re stronger together now, with our unity restored.” ~ Elaine W.
“With our empty nest, we’ve been able to grow closer and enjoy life together. Because of our Marriage Encounter and the resulting improvement in our listening skills, we’ve learned how to cultivate shared interests." ~ Murray W.