Invest in Your Marriage: Upcoming Marriage Encounter Weekends

by Mary Jackson | Sep 22, 2025 | Marriage Growth, Marriage Retreats Near Me, Marriages

Most people are quick to invest in their jobs, their health, even their hobbies, but when it comes to marriage, it’s easy to assume it will just take care of itself. The truth is, relationships don’t thrive on autopilot. Just like muscles get stronger with exercise or skills sharpen with practice, a marriage grows deeper and healthier when it’s intentionally nurtured.

Think about it—if someone ignored their career, they’d quickly fall behind. If they stopped exercising or eating well, their health would suffer. Marriage is no different. It needs regular attention, communication, laughter, forgiveness, and time together. Without that, it can easily slip into routine or even distance without anyone realizing it.

The good news is, “working on your marriage” doesn’t have to feel like a chore. It can be as simple as setting aside quality time, going on date nights, sharing daily gratitude, or learning new ways to connect. Sometimes, it also means digging deeper—taking part in retreats, workshops, or just having those honest, sometimes hard, conversations.

In the end, it’s about seeing your marriage as something worth protecting, strengthening, and celebrating. After all, when the relationship is strong, it overflows into every other part of life—family, work, health, spirituality—while creating deep joy.

This is a wonderful opportunity for couples to step away from the busyness of life and focus on each other—whether they’re newly married, celebrating decades together, or anywhere in between.

👉 Please consider encouraging family, friends, and co-workers to join us on October 11–12 or December 6–7. A Marriage Encounter weekend can truly be life-giving and hope filling!

Registration is open now at www.marriages.org.

@ marriageencounter

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Summer Love: What the Season Can Teach Us About Marriage

by Mary Jackson | Jul 2, 2025 | Marriage Encounter Reflections, Marriage Enrichment, Seasonal Reflections

Summer Love: What the Season Can Teach Us About Marriage

The Gift of Summer in Minnesota

Living in Minnesota, the arrival of summer is like a breath of fresh air — literally and emotionally. After a long winter, those warm days invite us outside to soak in the sunshine and enjoy everything from lake swims and scenic golf outings to backyard picnics and long-awaited family vacations. It’s a season that almost begs us to slow down, savor the moment, and reconnect with the people we love.

How Marriage Mirrors the Season

In the same way, marriage can mirror the beauty of summer. When it’s growing, enriching, and grounded in love, it becomes the sunshine that warms everything else. It turns a simple day at the lake into a memory, a family road trip into an adventure, and a quiet evening on the porch into something sacred. Just like summer enhances the beauty of Minnesota, a strong marriage enhances all the moments that make life good.

Storms Come, but Love Endures

Of course, even in summer, storms roll in — and marriage is no different. But when a couple is committed to loving and learning from each other, those passing clouds don’t ruin the season. They just remind us to hold each other a little tighter and to be grateful for the clear skies that follow.

So here’s to summer — and to marriages that blossom right along with it. Let’s not just enjoy the season, but also take time to invest in the relationship that brings joy to every part of it.

Plan now to attend the Marriage Encounter on October 11–12 or December 6–7.

Marriage Encounter has been enriching, saving, and celebrating marriages in Minnesota, surrounding states, and beyond for over fifty years. Whether your marriage is good, mediocre, or struggling, it’s the best program for YOU.

Register now at marriages.org/register-for-encounter/ to give your relationship the sunshine it deserves.

@ marriageencounter

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Honoring Sacrifice: Lessons from Memorial Day for a Stronger Marriage

by Mary Jackson | Jun 13, 2024 | Marriage Tips, Personal Growth, Relationships, Seasonal Reflections

Memorial Day: A Time for Gratitude

Memorial Day 2024 has come and gone, but the spirit of gratitude it embodies should remain with us throughout the year. It’s a time to remember and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, ensuring the rights we frequently take for granted. This sense of profound gratitude and remembrance can be extended into our daily lives, particularly in our closest relationships.

Parallels Between Military Sacrifice and Marriage

Drawing a parallel to marriage, the idea of selflessness and sacrifice does not come naturally. Just as soldiers demonstrate their love and commitment to their country through their ultimate sacrifice, in a successful marriage, spouses show their love by prioritizing each other’s needs and well-being. This involves a daily commitment to “othering” ourselves—putting our partner’s happiness and security above our own desires. Such selflessness can be seen in the small, everyday acts of kindness, as well as in the significant sacrifices we make for those we love.

Marriage Reflecting Memorial Day Virtues

Marriage, at its best, reflects the same virtues we honor on Memorial Day: courage, commitment, and an unwavering dedication to something greater than oneself. By being mindful of these values, couples can strengthen their bond, ensuring their relationship is rooted in mutual respect and love. The willingness to give our lives, metaphorically, for our spouse—by consistently placing their needs above our own—mirrors the profound sacrifices made by those we honor on Memorial Day.

Carrying the Lessons Forward

So, as we move forward through the year, let’s carry with us the lessons from Memorial Day. Let’s remember to practice gratitude not just for those who have given their lives for our country, but also for the opportunity to enrich our marriages through acts of selfless love, forgiveness, compassion, and support. In doing so, we honor both the fallen and our closest companions, building a stronger, more resilient relationship that will stand the test of time.

Thank you for reading! If you’re interested in experiencing the transformative journey of a Minnesota Marriage Encounter, we invite you to click here to view our upcoming dates. Reserve your spot today and invest in the future of your relationship with MN Marriage Encounter.

Help us reach our $40,000 goal by giving what you can. Every $ makes a difference & all $ matched!

by TC Marriages | Nov 14, 2019 | Donate, Give to the Max Day, Marriage Encounter, Scholarship Fund

We have a match of $20,000 and we want to double that amount.

Please help us reach our goal of helping every financially needy couple attend our program! Every little bit helps, please give what you can!

Do what you can to help future generations! Giving a number of small gifts throughout the day helps Marriage Encounter’s odds of winning an extra $1,000 each hour.

Please give at https://givemn.org/organization/Enrich-Marriages.

Learn more about our Scholarship Fund here.

Click Here to Donate

You can help enrich marriages! Every $ makes a difference & all $ matched!

by TC Marriages | Nov 13, 2019 | Donate, Give to the Max Day, Marriage Encounter, Scholarship Fund