MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Married couples at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point strengthened their marriage and bonded while participating in a Marriage Enrichment Retreat hosted by 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Chaplains, in New Bern, Sept. 18-19.
Forty couples took part in the retreat to rekindle their bond with one another. Each couple participated in prescribed ice-breaking conversation techniques, seminars on communication and various other couple-related, cohesion-building activities.
According to Lt. Hardy Owens, staff chaplain with 2nd MAW, the couples retreat was set-up proceeding a one-day Marriage Enrichment Retreat hosted by the 2nd MAW Religious Ministry Team.
“We want to be good stewards of the growing interest and offer a more robust event that not only provides information, but offers time for reflection and discussion,” said Owens. “This weekend will allow the couples to share this time, along with a wonderful date night and much needed time away from the stressors of home.”
The retreat was open to all Marines, Sailors, civilian employees, federal contractors and their spouses. During the two-day event, couples had the opportunity to share meals and converse with other couples, as well as share experiences and discuss techniques to tackle common marital issues.
“I believe it betters a relationship and gives the couple more ways to help keep things alive and get out of a relationship rut if you are in one,” said Lance Cpl. Schuyler Gullett, a married Marine with Marine Aircraft Group 14. “The retreat is a great opportunity to enhance your relationship.”
Marine Corps Community Services offers several additional marriage classes aboard the air station, including 8 Hours to a Great Relationship, the 5 Love Languages and Together for Life.
“It is important for two people who are in love to work at maintaining their relationship,” said Gullet. “If at home we are having a bad relationship, at work I would just be unhappy all day and people at my shop would not want to be around me or see me as approachable.”
Due to the positive outcome and overwhelming response to this event, the chaplains office plans to host a third retreat in February.
“We pray that the 40 couples in attendance will increase in intimacy and resiliency while continuing to grow in their love toward one another,” said Owens during the retreat.