Date Night is NOT Optional

Many couples find themselves falling out of love and falling into dangerous territory. But it’s pretty difficult to fall out of love when you are spending regular amounts of fun time together. Date night keeps the good times in marriage in better balance with the difficult times. It's a proactive way to continually create good times!

There was a time in my life when Friday night date night was the literal light at the end of my tunnel each week. I knew I could make it through one more day, because Friday was almost here. I don’t know how I would have survived those years without that to look forward to.

Date night gave me a chance to remember that I was a wife--my husband's sweetheart--not just an all-consumed mother. Date night put a sparkle back into my eyes and into my soul. It continues to be something I look forward to every single week.

Date night helps me remember those wonderful feelings of our courtship days. (Hey guys don’t forget to open her doors. And gals don’t forget to let him…even if you have to sit there and wait for a moment or two to retrain him!) Keeping those feelings of love alive is the opportunity and the responsibility of every husband and wife.

Sometimes we forget that a marriage needs to be nourished. We can’t just stop doing all the things we used to do when courting and expect our marriage to stay vibrant. Our marriage needs constant nourishment emotionally, spiritually and sexually.

The emotional intimacy and connection that grows through regular date nights is the fuel that makes both husband and wife feel loved, cherished and desirable. Date night is not optional for those couples who want to stay close and connected.

If I had to choose three things that are the key activities for those who want a strong and happy marriage relationship I would choose the following:

   1.  Weekly date night
   2.  Nightly couple prayers
   3.  Regular lovemaking

Decide to make your marriage the best it can be by including these activities into your life. And remember that date night is NOT optional!

See you later! It’s date night…!!!

Click here to read the full article "Date Night is NOT Optional"

Sexual Intimacy Seminars

Cost is $100 per couple. Contact Emil Harker at (801) 543-2120 for more information and to reserve your spot. Visit his BLOG for more information.

Downloadable Audio Books and Talks

It's finally here! Now you can get our books and talks on CD quickly and easily day or night! Download them to your iPod or to your computer for easy listening and learning regarding strengthening your marriage or teaching your children about sex and intimacy in marriage.

• And They Were Not Ashamed -- Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment
• Love 101-- Learning to Love More Meaningfully 
• Teaching Intimacy 101 -- How to Teach Your Children about Sex and Intimacy

Audio products will also be available soon on iTunes.com and Audible.com. 

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FREE Downloadable Podcasts

If you missed Laura's weekly radio show segments with Dr. Liz Hale, discussing marital intimacy, they are now available as FREE downloads. Here are a few of the many topics that were discussed:

• Preparing for a positive honeymoon experience
• Teaching children about sexual intimacy
• Pornography's effect on marital intimacy
• Reasons to make love
• How to bring up the topic of intimacy with your spouse
• How to answer what's okay and what isn't questions
• Why you were attracted to your spouse and how it can lead to your healing and wholeness
• Focusing on ourselves to improve our relationships
• Sex after childbirth
• Female sexual desire issues  

Cruise Sign-up Special! -- Last Couples' Cruise with Laura Brotherson

Southern Caribbean Cruise for Couples 
Feb 23 - Mar 1, 2008

Now is the time to register for Laura's last couples' cruise during the "Fall Sign-up Special" going on Monday, Oct 29 - Saturday, Nov 3.  You'll receive the reduced deposit of only $100 per person, as well as the Princess Cruise on-board coupon book (for first-time cruisers) valued at over $120. Check out the fun photos from our Feb '07 Couples' Cruise to see how much fun you'll have!

Join us in Feb '08 as we set sail aboard the "Crown Princess" to the Southern Caribbean ports of Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, Tortola and St. Thomas. Check out our itinerary of great excursions and other fun group events. In our marriage seminars and Q&A sessions we'll discuss:

• Cultivating a Sexy State of Mind
• Differences in Male/Female Sexual Wiring
• How to Talk with Your Spouse about Sex
• How to Make Sex More Intimate 

Cabin prices begin at $817 per person. Cabins are limited, so don't delay. Call Amber or Vickie at Cruise Planners to find out more and to reserve your space today.

Phone: (866) 446-4218
Email: cruiseplannersar@earthlink.net
   (include your phone # and email address in the email)

For more information and additional photos from past cruises visit our Cruise Information page.

Strengthening Marriage Special

NEW Blog Posts

New Resources on Resource Page

On our Resources Page you'll find some great new resources by doing a search of the following topics:

• Preparing for Marriage
• Finding a Counselor
• Same-gender Attraction

Check back often for newly added resources to help strengthen your marriage and family.

Straight Talk Q&A

Q:  I still haven't had an orgasm after 24 years of marriage. What can I do?

A:   It's important to consider the whole package when determining what's needed to experience the ecstasy of orgasm. Particularly for women, it's not just a sexual "technique" that's usually missing. While clitoral stimulation is important, it's possible that the real culprit lies somewhere else, such as in the relationship, or in your thoughts and beliefs about sex. We need to consider the way women are wired sexually, then see which area seems to be lacking. So, let's take a look at each of the 6 T's of the female sexual response and go from there:

1. Thoughts
2. Tenderness
3. Teasing/Playfulness
4. Talk
5. Touch
6. Time

Read the rest of the answer here...

Visit our Straight Talk Q&A here.

Newsletter Archive

Stay tuned for more intimacy insights in upcoming Strengthening Marriage Newsletters ... ! Click here to visit the e-Newsletter archive. If you missed the last newsletter, you can catch it here:

       "Thriving in Marriage" -- Marriage Newsltr #28 (Aug '07)

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