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Marriage retreat brings couples closer together

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Veronica Montes
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Members from Team Fairchild spent the weekend at Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg, Idaho, Aug. 22 to 24, as a part of a marriage retreat hosted by the 92nd Air Refueling Wing's chapel staff.

The purpose of the marriage retreat was to build resilient marriages by creating an environment where couples could focus on their relationships and bring attention to how they might be able to improve their marriages.

"Air Force marriages face a variety of unique circumstances such as deployments, permanent change of duty stations and increased mission responsibilities with fewer resources," said Chaplain (Capt.) Jeffrey Solheim, a 92nd ARW chaplain. "Each of these factors can add stress to a marriage. The focus of the Marriage Care Retreat was to build relationship resiliency and strengthen marriages by allowing Airmen to spend quality time with their spouse."

Fifteen couples were able to participate in activities which allowed them to learn more about one another, and spend some time discussing their relationship.

"This retreat was developed by Air Force Family Life trained Chaplains," Solheim said. "It was designed to renew and revitalize military marriages. There were four sessions dedicated toward principles and techniques to enhance relationships with the remaining time allotted toward "couple's time" to discuss the concepts and how best to integrate them within marriage."

Along with the sessions, the couples had a date night where they were able to enjoy each other's company. Along with the mountain views there were all sorts of activities for the couple to enjoy on their free time, and great feedback was given from the attendees.

"The retreat and Chapel Staff provided an outstanding venue and some additional tools needed for any marriage's toolbox," said Senior Master Sgt. Donald R. Andreoli, the 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron operations flight superintendent. "The topics and relaxed atmosphere created an excellent environment for my spouse and I to discuss some challenges in our relationship that we might not have addressed if we were at home."

Andreoli said that while the retreat was completely free, other than the one date-night dinner, it's well worth the time away. He stressed that couples should get on the waiting list now for the next marriage retreat.

"I would highly recommend attending one of these Marriage Care Retreats even if you are newlyweds or have been married for years," Andreoli said. "It was nice to just spend time with one another without outside distractions."