We checked in and got an informational packet. These were the first set of instructions: "As a couple choose a spot to sit and visit and look through your folder. This is a date! Rather than socializing with others, spend this time reconnecting with one another. Give your spouse your undivided attention. Forget about the stresses of last week or the week coming. This is a time to enjoy the moment with your husband or wife."
It was kind of weird to be spending time talking with each other when you had someone on a picnic blanket every 10 feet or so, but soon it got to where we were only focused on us and not who was near us. The setting was very quiet with areas of lawn and wooded areas as well. There was dinner available so we gathered our meal (pulled pork BBQ sandwiches, salad, chips, drinks) and headed back to our picnic blanket to go through the rest of the packet.
There were Fortune Cookies for us to share, but each had a question in them that we had to answer:
Tell your sweetheart three things that you love about them:
- John to Sam - (1) Talented, (2) Smile all the time (even your voice smiles), (3) Practical / tame me.
- Sam to John - (1) Patient, (3) Generous, (3) Cute
Explain the details about when you knew that your spouse was "the one"
- John - While in Seattle & you visited. Thought it would be easy to introduce you as my wife. Proud to be attached to you.
- Sam - Remember Provo / Park / Gazebo? - Stopped caring what other people thought. Wanted to spend all the time with you.
Share with your significant other a time when your faith was strengthened:
- John - At the MTC - while listening to one of the talks and then when 2,000 other missionaries all sang "Ye Elders of Israel".
- Sam - At a missionary farewell for Sam Fox, while singing the words "I Know that My Redeemer Lives" - - I knew it was true.
Then we took a Language of Love Quiz - Sam's answers had most points for Physical Touch and Quality Time. John's answers had most points for Words of Affirmation, Quality Time and Physical Touch. This exercise showed us how we can best express love to each other. (Words of Affirmation - give praise, give credit, compliments; Quality Time - undivided attention, take a walk, share thoughts, feelings; Physical Touch - kiss, hold hands). The other 2 love languages where neither of us had many points were Receiving Gifts (either purchased or giving of self) and Acts of Service (help withe chores).
When we were done with dinner they had an ice cream bar and then asked all to gather together for a program. First they showed a video of Golden Anniversary couples from the stake (interview format) and then we heard from Mark & Cami Young. When the evening was over, we headed back to our car.
The next day was to include breakfast, lunch and various speakers (rotating between groups). Here is the part where we practiced the skills we've used in our marriage over the last 24 years. Though we both felt it was an enjoyable evening, we also were thinking of all the projects we could get done on Saturday so decided on the drive home to forgo day #2 of the retreat.
