Life West,

THAT. WAS. FUN.

From in-depth sessions that sent you out to have good, tough conversations with your spouse to Uptown Funk on repeat (Jake & Jenna, you okay?), you showed up and made the first retreat one that will be difficult to top.

YOUR marriage advice
YOUR marriage advice
PHOTO Uploads
PHOTO Uploads
COUPLES (A to M)
COUPLES (A to M)
COUPLES (N to Z)
COUPLES (N to Z)
YOUR Date Ideas
YOUR Date Ideas

What Happened -

Over a couple of days, you:

  • Slowed things down (which is rare)

  • Shared things that probably needed to be said

  • Heard each other a little differently

  • Leaned IN to your marriage

And you did it without everything having to be perfect.

Now What -

Be sure to fill out the card you received at the retreat. One thing you’re taking with you. One thing to start, stop, and continue in your marriage.

Husbands, pray over your wives with the words you have and in the authority you’ve been equipped with. And adore your wives.

Wives, let him. Let him pray. Let him lead. Let him love you like Jesus. Submission is meant to be a shield, not bars.

See Your Weekend Photos

❤️

See Your Weekend Photos ❤️

Don't forget to email the couple you drew in the drawing (pics and links included below).

Now…after such a busy weekend…

Why don’t you take a minute (or 4, according to Samuel) and head to Meijer?

Marriage Retreat Couples

(A-M)

Marriage Retreat Couples

(N-Z)

We asked you to give us some great marriage advice. Here are your answers:

  • It is NOT "Happy wife, happy life." It's "Happy spouse, happy house."

  • No TVs in the bedroom.

  • Have a mentor couple that is Spirit-led AND pray and chase a shared dream.

  • Never go to bed angry with each other.

  • Be fruitful & multiply. 😉 BUT ACTUALLY... wives: be a sexual blessing to your husbands, husbands: restrict your social media usage/delete it off your phone to be more present with your wife & kids.

  • Never stop having fun. Try new things together.

  • Your spouse is NOT your enemy, but THE enemy wants you to think they are. Fight WITH your spouse NOT against them.

  • Kids, work, friends, & family will come & go but it will always be you & your spouse! Communicate & love them with ALL you have.

  • Continue chasing your spouse as if you haven't gotten them yet. Be humble, teachable, and quick to apologize.

  • Don't forget to prioritize date night!

  • 2+2=4 AND 1+3=4 "Yes/And" NOT "Yes or No". We all think a little differently because we were all raised a little differently. Just because you reached the conclusion a different way doesn't mean you are right or wrong if you still got to the same answer.

  • Always remember you're on the same team, even if it doesn't feel like it. It's the two of you together against the problem, NOT against each other. Laugh often, too. 😉

  • Pray together. ❤️

  • Having an Ephesians 5 marriage is impossible without having an Ephesians 1-4 life. When you build your life on Ephesians 1-4, marriage becomes so much easier to navigate.

  • Prioritize communication.

  • Go to Meijer A LOT! 😉

  • You should always speak well of your spouse to others. It will really bless them and it is believing the best of your spouse. Always thinking on the good and lovely.

  • A 20-second hug will reset your frame of mind. Do something nice for your spouse every day. Have sex more often than you think is necessary. Put your phone down more.

  • Don't be afraid of disagreements, you only become stronger and more known in the end.

  • 6+3 AND 5+4 BOTH equal 9. Respect your partner's way of doing things even if they are different than your own.

Sharing YOUR Date ideas:

  • Dinner @ West Side Social and walk @ Grand Ravines

  • Skydiving over Lake Michigan & landing on the beach @ sunset.😉 You're welcome.

  • Fill up the car, pick a direction, go until you find an adventure.

  • No-screen night @ home.

  • We like to throw all of our pillows and blankets on the floor in front of the TV and grab snacks and watch a movie together on the floor "bed".

  • Take a late night walk together. ❤️

  • Oasis Hot-tubbing (Don't bring swimsuits😉)

  • Rock climbing. Buy a new game and play it @ home.

  • Go on a picnic & watch the sunset over Lake Michigan. Talk about the blessings you have been provided.

  • Download the app "36 Questions", go out to eat & we bet you will learn something new about your spouse!

  • Rambling...stopping at shops, farm markets, beach walks, looking for rocks.

  • Clementines & walking the pier in South Haven. ❤️

  • Pray together. ❤️

  • Pack snacks, drinks, and a cozy blanket and head to the Getty drive-in movie theater in Muskegon for a double feature.

  • Breakfast at Morning Star Cafe in Grand Haven. Then, hike Rosy Mound Park.

  • Go to Meijer A LOT! 😉

    Okay…this one was actual marriage advice but I HAD to leave it in the Date ideas, too. - Courtesy of PB.

  • Anything that is adventurous. We really enjoy hiking.

  • Dinner & a walk holding hands.

  • A bike ride (ebike if you're feeling fancy). Maybe pack a picnic lunch!

  • Cook out at a park.

  • Tournament Competition Night. Choose 5 short games to play: card games, physical, etc. Whoever wins best of five gets a 5 minute massage. 😉