855: Make Space for Extraordinary Connections

“The great difference between voyages rest not with the ships, but with the people you meet on them.” —Amelia Barr

“This trip was better than our honeymoon.”

There’s something truly magical that happens when more than 20 couples come together with a shared goal: to create extraordinary marriages.

The couples who joined us had been married anywhere from 5 years to 50. Some had little kids, others had grown kids, and some didn’t have kids at all. They came from all across the country, each bringing their own stories, hopes, and challenges.

And despite all the differences, one thing was clear: no one was alone in their marriage struggles.

Throughout the week, couples created space for extraordinary connections. They shared their stories, discovered how others had navigated similar challenges, and found encouragement in each other’s victories.

It wasn’t just a time of deep connection between spouses; it was also deeply bonding for the entire group, many of whom had never met before stepping onto that ship.

It was a reminder that it’s so easy to get caught in your own little marriage bubble. Between work, busy schedules, raising kids, and managing life, you can start to focus only on what’s wrong in your relationship.

But when you come together with others—when you get real and vulnerable—something powerful shifts in your marriage journey.

Here’s what a few couples said about their experience:

• “I’m not necessarily comfortable sharing, but I felt like this was a safe space to do so.”
• “We’ve made lifelong friends.”
• “The questions and exercises helped us talk about things we’ve been avoiding for a long time.”
• “I’m asking the men in this group to hold me accountable to the changes I want to make.”
• “I realized that while I’ve been asking my husband to meet my needs, I’ve been uncomfortable meeting his. I’ve got some work to do.”

Breakthrough moments like these don’t usually happen in the chaos of daily life. Instead, you have to make space for them.

So how do you do that?

Here are three powerful ways to create space for transformation:

1. Dedicate time to your marriage.
For example, plan a weekly date night, a monthly overnight, or even an annual getaway focused on reconnecting.

2. Practice vulnerability.
Real change doesn’t happen at the surface. So challenge yourself to share something with your spouse that you’ve been hesitant to discuss.

3. Step outside your marriage bubble.
Connect with other couples who share your values. Whether they’re in the same season or a different one, being around others who are committed to growing in marriage can spark something new in your own. This could mean joining a marriage group like Intimacy Mastery, participating in events with other couples, or even arranging regular double dates.

There’s something extraordinary that happens when you make space for these extraordinary connections. Whatever that looks like for you this week, go make it happen.

Resources

Join Intimacy Mastery Today

Connect with Us

Join the ONE Family private Facebook group to share your story and connect with other couples who are creating extraordinary marriages. To reach us on the Hug Hotline, call or text 858-876-5663 or email hugs@oneextraordinarymarriage.com.