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Marriages are being transformed at Weekend to Remember® marriage getaways. Here are just a few of our favorite stories guests shared with us last year.

Billy’s marriage to Ruth was a partnership that had a worldwide impact.

I wrote an article for The Family Room ezine called “She Hated Her Husband.” It was about Brian and Julie Moreau’s disintegrating relationship and the key role that a Weekend to Remember® marriage getaway played in saving their marriage. A skeptical reader posted this comment below the article: “If this story is really true maybe […]

As you prepare for facilitating a small group, you will find God strengthening your own marriage and giving you a heart to minister to others.

A couple weeks ago, in my work here at FamilyLife, I was feeling lazy and listless, uncreative and unmotivated.  Looking for some inspiration, I began reading through a pile of comments from couples who attended a recent Weekend to Remember® marriage getaway in Indianapolis.  It took me all of two minutes to shake away my […]

If research showed you there were five things you could do to turn a marriage around or to keep a marriage strong, and that they were easy and free, what would you do? Well, here’s your chance. Shaunti Feldhahn spent years interviewing couples to find the ones who had the happiest marriages. Her purpose was to […]

Editor’s note, May 2015:  In a recent FamilyLife contest, participants were asked, “What marriage do you most admire, and why?”  Here’s a selection of their responses.  For more, read “The Marriages We Admire.” 1. My former pastor and his wife … they are both with the Lord now.  They had very different strengths but they […]

We asked readers to send us ideas on special getaways with their spouse. Here are some of the replies.

In last week’s Marriage Memo, I wrote of seven things men need to know about marriage.  In a culture of counterfeits and mistruths, it’s important to understand what marriage is about.  Here are seven more things men should know.  As you read through the list, ask God to remake you and help you understand what […]

The North Star of relationships is is knowing Jesus Christ and His purpose for marriage, and trusting in His strength.

An abuser typically has a well-stocked arsenal of ways to exert power over you.

Even before I began working for FamilyLife, I used to tell people that the Weekend to Remember® was the “best conference I’ve ever attended.” Merry and I went when we were engaged, and we’ve attended several times since then. The weekend provided an invaluable foundation for our marriage—a clear biblical understanding of God’s purposes for […]

During the first two days of our recent vacation in western Montana, the air was filled with smoke from forest fires. My wife, Merry, and I could barely make out the outline of the Bitterroot Mountains. Then a cold front swept out the smoke … and replaced it with rain and low-hanging clouds. We drove […]

Letters from a Weekend to Remember marriage getaway show that people are still hungry to know Christ.

Some would call me “directionally-challenged.” While my husband, Jim, seems to know where he is at all times, I have difficulty following a map or someone’s directions. I’ve been lost more often than I’d like to admit. It happened again when I went to visit a new friend who lives in the country. She gave […]

My wife, Merry, and I have enjoyed some wonderful, adventurous, and romantic vacations over the years. We’ve been on trips to London, New England, Montana, Oregon, Washington D.C., New York City. We’ve relaxed on sunny beaches in Hawaii, Florida, and South Carolina. And then we’ve taken lots of vacations like the one last week: working […]

If your spouse wouldn’t talk to you for a day or two, you’d probably find it difficult. But what if your spouse refused to speak for three years? That was the situation June Sims faced after 34 years of marriage to her husband, Lamar. As you can read in a fascinating article by Mary Larmoyeux, Lamar […]

“Just a week before the I Still Do™ event,” she said, “I used the ‘D word’ against my husband in front of our daughters.”  The “D word” is “divorce.” And that’s a word that children don’t like to hear from the lips of their parents.  “My 9-year-old broke down and cried, exclaiming ‘What’s happening?’ She […]

Comments from the I Still Do event show the power of getting away to get it together.

Dennis Rainey and Bob Lepine, co-hosts of FamilyLife Today®, returned recently from FamilyLife’s third annual Love Like You Mean It™ cruise.  The same week of the LLYMI cruise, another cruise ship made headlines when it lost power and had to be towed back to port, but Dennis reports that the LLYMI cruise had plenty of […]

I could tell I touched a nerve in my recent Marriage Memo on “How Do You Change a Bad Attitude?”.  When I asked for input from readers, quite a few began by admitting to the same problem.  “I have found myself in the position you describe far more times that I like to admit,” one […]

Moms need to recharge, to be appreciated and encouraged. Not just once a year, but every day.

John Betar and Ann Shawah grew up across the street from each other in Bridgeport, Connecticut.  They fell in love, but her father had arranged for her to be married to a man 20 years her senior.  So John and Ann eloped.   That was in 1932.  John and Ann recently celebrated their 81st anniversary, […]

There’s no doubt about it—for many people, life seems to revolve around the smartphone.  It’s their connection to friends and family.  It’s their source of information and entertainment and distraction. It’s what they use to read and listen and watch.  It’s their phone, their camera, their map, their appointment calendar, their address and phone book, […]

In a recent Marriage Memo, “Reclaiming Date Night,” Suzanne Thomas wrote of her dismay after asking FamilyLife Facebook readers about what they do for date nights with their spouses. “I expected people to respond with some creative ideas, but I was surprised at the response,” she wrote, “Nearly everyone said they have no date nights […]

After Dennis Rainey’s June 10 Marriage Memo, “Establishing the ‘New Normal’ in Your Marriage,” a number of readers wrote to tell about the struggles they faced with this issue.  As Dennis wrote of the “new normal” dilemma: Each of you brings a different background and a different set of expectations into your marriage.  Your family […]

Eighty-one years ago, John and Ann Betar were told their marriage wouldn’t last.

Responses from readers show that the love you demonstrate for your spouse will be one of your greatest legacies.

Editor’s note, May 2015:  In a recent FamilyLife contest, participants were asked, “What marriage do you most admire, and why?”  Here’s a selection of their responses.  For more, read “The Marriages We Admire.” 1. My former pastor and his wife … they are both with the Lord now.  They had very different strengths but they […]

The most important cultural question is not, “What are we going to do about same-sex marriage?” It’s, “What are we going to do about marriage?”

Who doesn’t enjoy a good story? Especially a love story? As a writer for FamilyLife, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing lots of men and women about their marriages and families. But no one has been married as long as Orvil and Edith Thomas. Their commitment to one another has never wavered for more than […]

On July 8, 2009, my wife Laurie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Almost three long years later, she died on April 4, 2012. Soon my two sons and I will have our first Christmas without Mom. Although it hasn’t been easy, I am filled with hope. Like lots of other people I know, Laurie and […]

by Abraham Lara As Christmas day approaches many of you will be finishing last-minute details at work, or driving to Grandma’s house, or shopping for groceries before the big meal.  As we gather with friends and family to celebrate Christmas, I am reminded of couples who have an extra reason for rejoicing this year.  Couples […]

I knew I had a bad attitude, but I couldn’t break out of it.

Join us in standing firm for families and committing to faithfulness in marriage.

In death as in life, my brother reflected Christ’s love and compassion.

Research shows that five little things separate great relationships from the rest.

Editor’s Note:  Here are three recipes mentioned on the July 12, 2014, broadcast of FamilyLife This Week®. The bon bon recipe is very old; if you try to make it, we hope that you are successful and have fun! Bon Bons (Dalcie Rainey)  2 cups sugar 1/2 cup white corn syrup 1/2 cup whipping cream […]

In 2007 the Pew Research Center surveyed over 2,000 Americans for a study on attitudes about marriage and family. In one of the questions, participants were asked: Here is a list of things which some people think make for a successful marriage. Please tell me, for each one, whether you think it is very important, […]

My husband and I couldn’t stand one another.

A testimony from I Still Do™.

A testimony from I Still Do™.

When I see God using us to change lives, it stokes my passion for families.

 

In a culture of counterfeits and mistruths, marriage needs to be re-branded as an awesome, noble, and challenging adventure.

In a culture of counterfeits and mistruths, marriage needs to be re-branded as an awesome, noble, and challenging adventure.

In a culture of counterfeits and mistruths, marriage needs to be re-branded as an awesome, noble, and challenging adventure.

5 things to share with boys about being men of God.

We asked husbands, “What is one thing you most appreciate about your wives this Thanksgiving?” Here are the replies we received by email.   1. I love the insight into our children’s’ hearts that my wife, Karla, brings into our marriage. She is a wonderful household manager who performs miracles of joyous memories, sometimes with […]

We asked wives, “What is one thing you most appreciate about your husband this Thanksgiving?”  Here are the replies we received by email.   1. Terry loves me no matter what my faults are. —Barbara Robinson 2. Well… to be honest… for quite a few years I wondered and struggled with how my husband could […]

When Tommy Nelson began his teaching series from an Old Testament book, his church in Denton, Tex., had about 700 people. Within a few weeks, attendance was up to 1,400. His service for college students grew from 300 to over 700. And what Old Testament book was the focus of this pastor’s messages? Would you […]

Many who wrote echoed the words of one reader who said, “I think date night is vital to a marriage.”

In a Marriage Memo on the value of date nights in marriage, we asked readers to share comments and ideas.  Here are their responses. 1. Oh I am so, so, so very sad to hear that so many couples are not finding a way to create regular date nights … and by regular I really […]

It's never too late to turn around a dying marriage.

Communication is the key—even if it begins with an argument.

Ways to invest in the future of your marriage.

Stories of resurrected marriages Stories of good marriages strengthened Stories of couples who got married after living together Salvation stories At FamilyLife, we love to tell stories about what God does in families. He saves marriages. He strengthens homes. He changes lives for eternity through the gospel of Jesus Christ.   We hope that you will […]

A report on the 2013 Love Like You Mean It cruise.

Marriage Memo readers offer some practical and biblical advice.

In his article, "How Do You Change a Bad Attitude," Dave Boehi asked for ideas from readers.  Here are 50 of the emails we received.

In his article, “How Do You Change a Bad Attitude?” Dave Boehi asked for ideas for readers. Below find the second group of emails we received.  Want to read the first 50?  Find them here. 51. I’ve always thought that attitude is a choice.  You can choose to be let a bad situation get you […]

5 things to share with girls about being women of God.

After a Christmas storm knocked out electricity, my biggest struggle was dealing with a sour mood.

As Christmas day approaches many of you will be finishing last-minute details at work, or driving to Grandma’s house, or shopping for groceries before the big meal.  As we gather with friends and family to celebrate Christmas, I am reminded of couples who have an extra reason for rejoicing this year. Couples like Drew and […]

A young widower shares his struggles.

We hope that you will be encouraged as you read the following stories of real people. Nothing is impossible with God!

And so it comes to this: Two men finally facing off in a winner-take-all contest. Both men are successful and accomplished, yet both have walked through the valley of defeat.  Both live with the fact that fame and job security is fleeting. Both men are supported by millions and both are ridiculed and condemned when […]

Following are reader responses to the Marriage Memo of June 18, 2012, “Fifty Shades of Caution,” by Dave Boehi.  You can read additional comments at the end of the online article. 1. I totally agree with you.   Thanks for the warning about this book.   I haven’t really heard much about it until I recently read […]

A marriage is built on shared memories over the years.

Who doesn’t enjoy a good story? Especially a love story? As a writer for FamilyLife, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing lots of men and women about their marriages and families. But no one has been married as long as Orvil and Edith Thomas. Their commitment to one another has never wavered for more than […]

1 Date + 8 Teens = 0 Romance Okay, so maybe it wasn’t the smartest equation I have ever calculated. But my heart was in the right place! Hubby and I have attempted to make most Friday nights our “date nights” from the time our children were toddlers. They have always been “at home” dates, […]

FamilyLife President Dr. Dennis Rainey spoke at the 2009 Weekend to Remember® marriage conference in Grapevine, Texas, before nearly 4,000 people. During the weekend he wrote some impressions of how God is working through the cause of the family to touch the lives of people across America and even around the world. Saturday, February 14 […]

One of my bedrock, foundational beliefs in life is: Take your vacation time. Another is: Enjoy your vacation time. That sounds simple, but I’ve been surprised by the number of people I’ve encountered over the years who say they often don’t use up their allotted vacation days. Not me. I know I need my vacation. […]

Lessons my wife and I have learned about how to enjoy time off.

Impressions from the largest Weekend to Remember conference in 33 years.

Recent plans for our regular date night were derailed for my husband and me.

Sometimes God calls us to follow Him in situations that seem foolish to many in the world.

Whether you’re preparing for marriage or looking for a refresher, you and your spouse can benefit from a Weekend to Remember marriage conference.

Sometimes marriage is warm sea breezes … and sometimes it’s the pungent smell of drying paint.

I recently read five articles about marriage in one day. Guess which was my favorite?

Here is a list of things which some people think make for a successful marriage.

People need God’s blueprints for marriage and family now more than ever.

Merry and I just returned from a Weekend to Remember® marriage conference at the Gaylord Texan resort in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. When you stay at the Gaylord Texan, it’s hard not to rave about the incredible setting; the hotel’s huge atrium is a wonderland of streams, vegetation, and winding paths evoking different regions of […]

A few weeks ago I received a phone call from my oldest friend, Mark Allen. He and I met as kindergartners in Eugene, Ore., and went through school together until we graduated from high school. He was calling to say that he and his wife, Jenny, would be visiting Branson, Mo., for a business conference, […]

If there is one thing that continually reminds me of the importance of reaching out to families, it’s the e-mail we receive here at FamilyLife. The stories people tell reveal a common thread: People today are hungry to learn how to build a good marriage, and when they learn how to build it according to […]

Reflections on our trip to the Weekend to Remember marriage conference.

Some friends explain how their tradition of going on a getaway each year keeps their marriage strong.

A Weekend to Remember® marriage conference is an investment that can make even a strong marriage stronger.

When a husband and wife turn their lives and their marriages over to God, amazing things happen.

The Song of Solomon is a book full of godly wisdom about sexuality, marriage, and romance.

What can you learn about the state of many marriages today from Google’s most popular searches? Sadly, quite a bit. To see for yourself, go to the homepage for Google and type in “My husband.” Google’s “auto complete” function will then provide you with a number of suggestions to finish your search phrase, based on […]

Many people are desperately searching for answers.

I’m starting to see more and more media reports exploring the benefits of arranged marriages vs. the modern Western model of dating to find a “soul mate.” Generally they’re pretty objective about the pros and cons of both. In the typical American marriage, the couple already has a head start on getting to know each […]

by Karen Loritts, Sabrina Beasley, and Tracey Eyster   Sweet love My husband and I recently celebrated 38 years of marriage. I still remember the day we met as though it was yesterday. We were introduced after our college spring concert. He was strong and handsome. In fact, he was just too good looking and […]

Sweet Love My husband and I recently celebrated 38 years of marriage. I still remember the day we met as though it was yesterday. We were introduced after our college spring concert. He was strong and handsome. In fact, he was just too good looking and manly to be real! It would take us another […]

On May 16, 2011, Dave Boehi wrote an article called "Is  Marriage a 'Dying Institution'?"  Readers were invited to respond, and here are 100 of their comments.

Editor’s Note:  In the Marriage Memo of May 16, 2011, Dave Boehi wrote on “Is Marriage a ‘Dying Institution’?”  Readers were invited to respond, and included here are some of the responses we received. Click here to read additional responses. 101.  In my humble opinion, marriage is not a dying institution. We humans are more comfortable […]

Always put your relationship with the Lord first and foremost! You can’t change your spouse, only God can. Sometimes you will have a tough time with in-laws and understanding them but forgiveness and understanding is key. *** Because it’s not always so obvious, it might bear mentioning: even in the most loving marriage—and obviously in […]

Reader responses to the question, “What’s the most romantic thing your spouse has done for you?”

Editor’s Note:  In the Marriage Memo of January 30, 2012, Dave Boehi asked readers their thoughts about the choices made by a woman featured in Washington Post article titled, The Vow: A family learns the true meaning of “in sickness and in health.” Below are the responses that we received: 1. This story struck a chord with me.  I […]

Is allowing your children to sleep with you the bes idea?

A Christ-centered marriage allows you to love your spouse, not out of duty, but because you are first loved by Christ.

Readers describe nightmares and challenges they faced as they began marriage.

In the June 7, 2010 issue of Marriage Memo, Mary Larmoyeux wrote about “Proposal Stories to Remember.”  We invited readers to send in their own stories of “How We Got Engaged,” and a number responded.  These stories prove again that there are few things more creative than men in love. 1. When we first started dating, […]