The Family Education Center Richmond, VA (804) 261-7979 email to info at familyeducationcenter.com

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Marriage Education

Whether you are planning to be married, have been married for a short time, or are in a long-term relationship with a partner, paying attention to your marriage can have powerful results! We have helped thousands of couples like you; for a true story that is based on some of our actual clients' experiences, click How We Can Help You: A Sample Story.

Couples classes

We hold regular classes that help couples work through difficulties or problems, improve communications, and strengthen their relationship.

Conscious marriage

We have learned that the key to successful marriage is a willingness to approach the relationship with awareness, trying to remain conscious of our goals, dreams, and needs.

As part of the conscious marriage, each partner tries to communicate on a regular basis. One way to do this is through what we call the Marriage Meeting.

Marriage Meeting

The marriage meeting is sometimes known as the Relationship Meeting, Couple Meeting, or simply the Weekly Meeting. It involves only the two partners, which distinguishes it from the Family Meeting. This meeting is a gentle process, designed to energize and nurture the couple.

The marriage meeting  can be easily personalized for each couple, although some basic rituals are important.  For example, setting a regular date and time for the meeting, opening with a message of appreciation for each partner, and observing an agreed-upon closing ritual, help smooth the way for successful meetings.

The marriage meeting should also include discussion of the week's events. Filling out a calendar of activities ahead of time will save enough time and confusion to more than make up for the time spent on the meeting.

Marriage date

Married people date!  Planning a date is an important part of a marriage meeting. This date is a special time together that can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a whole weekend. It must not include others - only the two partners.

There are many ways to have a marriage date. It doesn't have to cost money: try a walk, coffee on the porch, reading to each other, dancing to favorite tunes, or any favorite activity that won't produce conflict. The goal is to help the couple say: "Yes, you are my life partner. I remember you.  I know why we are together."

Contact FEC for more information on marriage meeting and marriage education.