Trailblazer Vol. 11, Article 19
Marrying someone you love and spending the rest of your life with them makes any place feel like home and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. In times that either are between a rock and a hard place, the other will be there to comfort and make them feel better about themselves. Both will be there for each other through the storms and rainbows. They will support each other to be the best version of themselves.
However, there is no perfect marriage. Tough times come and along with it tough decisions. There will be times when you might not be able to be there every time they need you. Personalities might clash with each other, things might be viewed differently. There will come a point when time will put distance in the marriage. Things might take an unexpected turn when the stage of child rearing comes.
Aljay knows and sympathizes with the struggles of its employees. One of its cultures is family, thus, the company engaged married employees and their spouses to attend one of the most noted events of the company, the marriage retreat. The marriage retreat, 3 years since it was last held, provides an opportunity to resolve issues and rekindle relationships while getting away from the hustle and bustle brought by daily life. It serves as a chance for the couples to have time away from work, kids, and daily chores. Through, couples are given space to allow relationships to heal and reconnect giving them time to focus on themselves.
Pandemic regulations prohibit mass gatherings hence, the HR Department grouped the number of participants creating two batches of marriage retreats. The event was held for 2 days, the first day was for the seminars where the participants actively participated in and listened to as they are emotionally attached to every single word of the speakers.
“To have a HEALTHY CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE, the qualities must be:
Husband:
P-Pure
O-Obedient
G-Gentle
I-Intense
Wife:
C-Careful
U-Understanding
T-Trustworthy
E-Energetic and Strong
and we follow the FORMULA:
- Man + Woman = Marriage
- Man + Woman = Children
- Man + Woman + Children = Family
- Family + God = Christian Family
“The Seven Signs of Healthy Married Relationship:
- Freedom to be yourself;
- Lots of good communication;
- Good sex Life
- Trust in Each Other;
- Faithfulness to one another;
- Balance exists;
- Marriage is fun!”
“Mutually Satisfying Physical Intimacy is an obligation of both Husband and Wife”
“Faithful Conversation – focuses on being honest and true to each other in daily conversation, always being grateful to each other as God’s gift to each other. It involves telling the truth with love, because truth is very hard and difficult if spoken without love.”
“At home with Smalley’s meant:
- Parenting – all about using the family’s unique passions, values, and beliefs to guide parenting decisions that lead to raising good kids and building a close bond with them at the same time;
- Helping Household Chores;
But the most important thing that money cannot compensate for is having a quality time with my wife and child through leisure time by going to the mall, having a delightful snack while watching a movie marathon and religiously going to the church.”
The employees and their spouses were given a private room in an overnight stay at the hotel with all expenses paid by the company. Aljay also catered for the children of the employees with the intent to help the couple have the time for themselves and swim all night long at the hotel’s swimming pool.
In the continuation of the event on the next day, the renewal of vows was the highlight. The beautiful wives wore white dresses that resembled wedding gowns and walked down the aisle, which the HR Department employees personally decorated. The event made the couples seem like brides and grooms that are about to be wedded as they renewed their vows, took each of their partner’s hand to exchange rings, and sealed the moment with a kiss.
To celebrate their renewed vows and closer bond, the employees and their spouses proceeded with cutting the cake and raising their glasses for a wine toast. The event ended with lovely couples dancing living the moment.
There’s no one-size-fits-all magic formula for a happily ever after. There will still be tough times and tough decisions to make. However, with a healthy partnership and a long-term relationship that has COMMITMENT, LOVE & RESPECT, it can be overcome.
Written by: Flordeliza Sebastian-Diaz, Business Registration and Legal Officer; married for 11 years