Building A Better Marriage
Article By | Hannah Holbrook
While falling in love is quite simple, staying in love has proven difficult for the vast majority of couples. Learn how SPY is equipping young couples to thrive in marriage.
If you’re reading this, you might be thinking about getting married sometime soon. Perhaps you’re even engaged to the love of your life! While falling in love is quite simple, staying in love has proven difficult for the vast majority of couples. You’ve seen the studies on divorce rates, heard horror stories from friends, you might have even experienced the heartache of separation in your own family. We all know relationships take work, but sometimes because of our upbringing, we don’t know what it takes to build lasting marriage. Even if we had amazing parents who gave us a fantastic model for marriage, it doesn’t mean we know how to replicate it. If we really want to see our relationships thrive, it’s time to call in the experts.
Success Powered by You
Success… powered by YOU (SPY) is a part of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. SPY offers excellent, research-based courses for couples (or individuals) wanting to strengthen their relationships. SPY’s relationship course, Within My Reach, is a free, six week class that meets once a week at various locations throughout the Brazos Valley (and online). Couples are encouraged to attend together and are compensated for completing the course. SPY’s team longs to see young adults (ages 18-24) empowered with the tools they need to build happy, fulfilling, and successful lives. The coaches at SPY are dedicated, encouraging, and eager to help young couples walk into the next phase of life with confidence. What does the course Cover? SPY’s relationship course, Within My Reach, teaches couples and individuals the skills they need to foster healthy relationships.
My experience was incredible in the relationship class because it helped me to know how to manage my relationship with my partner. they gave us tools to know how to handle difficult situations. We also got to know each other better as a couple and we learned to balance our lives and activities.” -Saul, Within My Reach participant
Throughout the course’s curriculum, participants will ask themselves:
- How was I raised and what did I learn about relationships from my childhood?
- What do I want to take with me into marriage?
- What do I want to leave out of my marriage?
- What are my triggers?
- How can I have safe and healthy conversations when difficult topics come up?
- How do my partner and I work together as a team?
During the course, participants will explore communication styles, have opportunities for one-on-one coaching, and gain the tools they need to enter into marriage with confidence. The course is open to anyone ages 18-24 living in Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Madison, and Robertson county. Individuals are welcome, however SPY Director, Laurie Naumann encourages couples to take the course together if at all possible. Laurie shares, “I always encourage couples to take Within My Reach together because is extremely hard to learn a new way to communicate when your partner is not learning the same skills.” Couples who complete this course will walk away more aware of their partner’s needs, wants, and hopes for the relationship, while also getting to share their own desires in a safe environment. Ready to sweeten the deal? Once a participant completes the Within My Reach course, SPY will compensate each participant with $180. That means, if you complete this course as a couple, you could earn an extra $360 for your wedding budget.
Additional SPY Programs
SPY doesn’t just offer relationship courses. Once a participant completes Within My Reach, they have the opportunity to explore SPY’s other free programs: Common Sense Parenting, a parenting class – teaching fundamental parenting techniques, and Money Smart, a finance class educating young adults about money, budgeting, building credit, investing, and preparing for retirement. These courses also come with cash incentives upon completion!
As you launch into a season of wedding planning, celebration, and adventure with your spouse-to[1]be, take the time to invest in your relationship’s health beyond the honeymoon. Begin taking steps together to set your relationship up for long-term success. Reach out to SPY to learn about their upcoming course dates today.
You can find more information about SPY’s courses at families.tamu.edu or by calling 979.321.5248. To sign up for a class, feel free to call or email spybrazos@gmail.com!
I now know how to communicate better and handle tough situations if they come up in my relationship. I know more about myself and how I can be better in my relationship after taking this class. Within My Reach taught me valuable skills that I will use for a lifetime.” – Savanna, Within My Reach participant