Married couples often face challenges in their journey together, seeking deeper intimacy and healthy communication. However, a recent report from the National Marriage Project and the Wheatley Institute has revealed a simple strategy to strengthen matrimonial bonds: regular date nights. To support this approach, the Office of Marriage and Family Life has partnered with the Catholic Engaged Encounter (CEE) community to launch the innovative Marriage on Tap initiative.

The first Marriage on Tap event took place on January 22 at The Keg in Colwich, offering engaged and newlywed couples a unique evening of dining, presentations, and insightful discussions - all at no cost, thanks to the Catholic Marriage Initiative matching grant. The inaugural session featured Travis and Maria Gear, members of the CEE team, who shared their experiences and insights on marriage and family life in their talk, titled "Marriage: An Adventure of a Lifetime."

Travis and Maria Gear spoke about their extraordinary family trips and pilgrimages, highlighting the valuable lessons they learned during these adventures. They emphasized the importance of "doing the hard thing" and how it has shaped their children and themselves. These stories resonated with the audience, providing inspiration and guidance for their own relationships.

Recognizing the significant impact of these gatherings, Marriage on Tap events will now take place quarterly, aiming to nurture and enrich the bonds of the newly married generation within our diocese. These events go beyond being just social gatherings; they serve as a crucible for fostering stronger relationships.

Research has shown that frequent date nights can enhance relationship quality, and Marriage on Tap provides the perfect opportunity for couples to prioritize their connection and communication. By offering a refreshing mix of dining, presentations, and insightful discussions, the evenings create an atmosphere where engaged and newlywed couples can thrive and connect in fellowship.

The next Marriage on Tap event is scheduled for April 22 at The Keg in Colwich. Couples are encouraged to make a reservation and take part in this opportunity to fortify their marriage. The evening promises enriching conversations, a complimentary meal, and a couple of drink tickets - all provided to create an environment conducive to strengthening relationships.

Marriage on Tap is a testament to the commitment of the Office of Marriage and Family Life and the Catholic Engaged Encounter community in supporting and empowering couples on their marital journey. By providing a platform for engaged and newlywed couples to come together, share experiences, and learn from one another, this initiative aims to build a stronger and more resilient generation of married couples within our diocese.

As Jake Samour, the director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life, explains, "These events are more than social gatherings; they are a crucible for fostering stronger relationships, echoing studies that correlate frequent date nights with enhancing relationship quality."

Marriage on Tap is an exciting new opportunity for young couples to invest in their relationship and create a strong foundation for a lifelong partnership. With regular date nights and meaningful conversations, couples can embark on the adventure of marriage with confidence and the tools to navigate any challenges that come their way.