ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Maryland Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Christopher Baldwin and wife, Shayna, had a romantic Valentine’s Day weekend to remember. Instead of the typical dinner date, they chose to attend a “Strong Bonds” event in Annapolis, Md., to renew their vows and learn how to be better partners.
They gazed into one another’s eyes with sincerity, holding hands. She looked up at her husband with a nervous grin. He met his wife’s gaze, smiling slightly, but staying mostly solemn. The roundness of her belly on her small frame filled the space between them.
The chaplain recited the renewal of wedding vows for the couple as they stood in front of the pulpit. The pregnant wife and husband seemed unaware of anything but each other in this moment, and their anticipation grew as the pastor drew closer to reciting the familiar words.
“Do you take this woman to be your wife again?” asked the chaplain.
With conviction, the husband answered, “I do.”
The emotional atmosphere in the room was intense. The woman’s eyes started to well with tears as she listened for her cue, grasping her husband’s hands tighter.
Then, it was her turn. “Do you take this man to be your husband, again?” asked the chaplain.
She paused for a second and stared into her husband’s eyes before responding, “I do.”
The couple, Maryland Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Christopher Baldwin and wife, Shayna, had a romantic Valentine’s Day weekend to remember. Instead of the typical dinner date, they chose to attend a “Strong Bonds” event in Annapolis, Md., to renew their vows and learn how to be better partners.
The Strong Bonds relationship-building workshop is featured as part of a free weekend retreat and teaches soldiers and family members how to develop better relationships. Strong Bonds retreats are held year-round and the tracks are aligned to the needs of singles, couples or families.
“Our goal is to help marriages survive the cost of serving in the Army National Guard and to teach couples resiliency skills to help them build happy, healthy [and] lasting marriages,” said Col. William Lee, the state chaplain for the Maryland Guard. “We teach a Prevention Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) curriculum chosen from the University of Denver, based on 20 years of marriage study on how to have successful marriages that are satisfying and last.”
The educational retreat includes a free two-night hotel stay at a destination getaway with meals and licensed childcare provided. Soldiers can even be paid to attend this training under a split-train status in lieu of drill.
“We are very thankful,” said Christopher, who is the Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear non-commissioned officer for the Maryland Guard’s 110th Information Operations Battalion. “It’s a free hotel for two days, [including] meals and childcare. You can’t beat it.”
The couple was initially apprehensive at talking about their marriage in a group environment. Baldwin and his wife have four children and expect another child in June 2014. Shayna said it’s often hard for the two of them to find childcare and to spend time alone.
This was the first Valentine’s Day they had spent together since 2005 because of her husband’s job, said Shayna. “It was really special to me that we got to have time alone, away from the outside distractions of everyday life,” she said.
According to Shayna, her husband has always been there through the years to support their family during tough times. She said he went out of his way to be there when they had a death in the family and when their son was fighting cancer.
“I’m shy and was hesitant at first, but it was fun and I’m glad I came,” said Shayna. “I learned a lot about communicating in my marriage, and I feel a lot better now. It was great.”
| Date Taken: | 03.11.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 03.11.2014 13:33 |
| Story ID: | 121836 |
| Location: | ANNAPOLIS, MD, US |
| Web Views: | 31 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Will you be mine? Maryland Guard members build stronger bonds, by CPT Regina Corbin, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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