A: I anticipated having a wonderful time and focusing on each other and that's exactly what happened. It was great! I really enjoyed listening to the host couples' personal stories. I also loved reading what my fiance wrote to me. The Betrothal Pledge was especially meaningful. I loved the Candlelight Prayer Service. It was really special to be able to write our own prayer and then pray it with Donna and Aaron. It was also very meaningful to know someone had been praying for us who didn't even know who we were. Very inspiring. I've been totally inspired and am so thankful for all the info and lessons I've learned. I'd really like to thank Sheri and Bob and Donna and Aaron for being so trusting and completely open with us. It's so helpful to hear all your personal stories and very inspirational to us. It's wonderful to know there are so beautiful marriages out there. Thanks.
anon: I originally came because it was required. I have learned some valuable things that I believe will help our relationship. I personally have a hard time communicating my feelings. Writing in the notebooks was a way that I was able to describe how I was feeling....Very well done and put together. If it were more non-denominational, maybe more religions would send the young people from their parishes. To be honest, I probably would not have come if it was not mandatory. I think all churches, not just Catholic, should take part.
anon: I was always excited about coming. I'm glad I did. I didn't think writing would help. However, I have discovered a powerful new means of communication and we have agreed to use this as one of our methods of communication. Deeply affected by the religious dimension. This weekend would not be effective without the presence of God. Very impressed, very thankful that volunteers would spend their time to help others like this. Wonderful presenters, great location. May God continue to bless you in your work.
anon: I wasn't enthused about taking a weekend out of my life for this, but it has been reqarding in bringing me that much closer to my faiince. Very affirming in our relationship. The Betrothal Pledge was unique and allowed me to truly express some feelings I wasn't able to talk about....I think it's a great chance to share feelings not only with each other, butto get a sense that you are not alone in the struggles and good times of building a life together.
anon: We found it more interesting and entertaining than we thought it would be. It reaffirmed our committment and allowed us to go over topics that we'd already discussed. We realized that spirituality may eventually play a larger role in our relationship than it does now. It was a nice break from wedding preparation. It brought the focus back to our relationship and our committment to love. I was amazed at the amount of time and effort it must have taken the lead couples to prepare. Very life-giving! Thank you. Maybe some more group activities. Those were really fun!
MB: At first I was told I had to be here, but after all suspicions were done away with, the knowledge all building relationships is very helpful on keeping a marriage together. Learning the covenant to my future wife was a finding agreement and that I had to love unconditionally. When Father Tracey talked and when you could look into his eyes, you could sense and feel the love of God flowing through him. I think that for couples to marry, this should be a prerequisite no matter if they are Catholic or not.
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Note from Sheri and Bob: The Engaged Encounter weekend is a gift to us as a presenting couple. It is always beneficial for us as a couple to be around 30 or so couples who are so in love with one another. As engaged couples, your love for one another challenges the two of us to be romantic again!
We strongly urge married couples all over the world to contact their local parishes and churches to see if you can be involved in this wonderful endeavor or even start it in your own area or faith. Engaged Encounter is constantly expanding, growing and reaching out.
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