By Heather and John McAlpine

Just as you maintain your car to keep it running smoothly, you need to take opportunities to give your relationship a boost. We have benefited from learning skills and insights to help our long-term relationship last the distance, and not just survive but actually thrive.

Emotional and relationship intelligence helps us get through the tough terrain and sticky patches in our life journey. But we’ve had to learn it. We weren’t born with it, and with all due respect to our parents, we didn’t gain it from our upbringing either.

Kiama will host two date nights enabling couples to keep romance alive while juggling the chaos of life. We’re fortunate to have Gil and Brenda Stuart speaking locally as they’re international presenters, who are highly acclaimed marriage educators, coaches and therapists, having appeared on countless national TV and radio programs in America. As relationship educators ourselves, we know that this couple is brilliant.

The coffee and dessert date nights will be fun-filled evenings as Gil and Brenda are renowned for their humour, insights and vitality.

Credit: Heather and John McAlpine.

On Wednesday, 18 September, their focus is on how to keep romance alive while juggling the chaos of life, looking at being intentional in our marriage to create the space for friendship and fun. If you think you’re too tired, too busy or too burdened to attend a mid-week talk… then, this one is definitely for you!

On Thursday, 19 September, Gil and Brenda tackle ‘Understanding the joy, challenges, stress and wins that come with a blended family.’ The Stuarts will provide practical and personal insights about the myths of blended families and suggest growth points around dealing with both sets of children’s issues, no matter their age or living at home or not. Whether you’re in, or come from a blended family, fostering, or want a clearer understanding of how to navigate your multi-family gatherings, there is something in this for everyone. You’ll gain deeper perspectives and wisdom into the complexity of families, and how they impact our marriage. 

Use this opportunity as a couple to have a date night that can be relationship enhancing in ongoing and life-changing ways. What better gift can you give to each other than strengthening your legacy of love.

You can register for these events at: kiamabaptist.church/events.