Resources for Married Couples
We believe that, because every couple is different, different ways of enriching your marriage will be helpful (or not) for everyone. That is why we provide this list of resources for all of you to consider, depending on your needs and the state of your relationships. As we present these enrichments, we will be taking ideas from the couples who attend and adding them to the list!
- Worldwide Marriage Encounter – The marriage enrichment experience all of the Happily Ever After presenters recommend as a way of growing closer and improving communication for a lifetime.
- Retrouvaille – A lifeline for married couples who are facing difficult challenges in their relationship.
- The Couples Post – Support for married couples by married couples. A weekly series of short articles about relationship topics, written by couples. Sign up for the mailing list and share it with your friends.
- The Five Love Languages (Dr. Gary Chapman) – A framework for understanding how you give and receive love in your relationships.
- Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage (Mark Gungor) – Video series available on DVD, performed by Mark Gungor, pastor and comedian. Clips available on YouTube to try before you buy.
- Ascension Press: Bible and Catechism in a Year (Fr. Mike Schmitz) – Podcasts you can check into every day to improve your knowledge of Scripture and the Catholic Faith as a couple.
- Diocese of San Diego Office of Family Life and Spirituality – Links to resources for prayer, marriage, and family life, including activities throughout San Diego county. Local counseling connections can be made by reaching out to the office.
- Love and Respect (Dr. Emerson Eggerich) – A book and framework that speaks to some of the deepest needs of wives for the love of their husbands and husbands for the respect of their wives. Recommended for men and women who are looking for a better framework to understand each other’s perspectives and needs.
- Beloved (Augustinian Institute) – Kits for both marriage preparation and marriage enrichment with DVDs and accompanying workbooks to use at home or as groups.
- Understand Myself Personality Self-Assessment – Do you wonder how two people can be so different from each other? You can take a personality self-assessment based on the “big 5 / OCEAN” psychometric model and receive both a personalized report and a couples report if you and your spouse link your reports together.
- The Holderness Family Laughs – Just for fun, the Holderness Family YouTube channel has several relatable, comedic videos, along with their own relationship book and merchandise. Also, check out their hilarious music channel.
- Fierce Marriage – Ryan and Selena Frederick share about living a Christian marriage on their blog and YouTube channel.
- The Messy Family Project – Catholic couple Mike and Alicia Hernon share their experiences from 28 years of marriage and having 10 kids on a blog and podcast. They offer virtual date nights and getaways as well as practical advice.
- Loveology – Expert advice on all areas of relationship, along with the ability to post your questions and see related answers for free.
- Dynamic Catholic – Better Together – Matthew Kelly’s organization for renewal of the Catholic Church is well-known. They have a set of resources for marriage enrichment that include self-assessment and 21 secrets to better marriages.
And some resources from all of the wonderful attendees of our first event on February 11, 2023…
- Beating 50 Percent – Marriage books and journals made to inspire and equip you to become more intentional in your marriage and your life, all while encouraging you to pause and celebrate the memories along the way.
- Couples retreats at the Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center
- Stormie Omartian The Power of Praying – author of several books for development of prayer and its power in your life.
And some resources from our second event on March 2, 2024…
- Hallow App – Application for prayer and meditation
- Theology of the Body – Saint John Paul II’s sermons laying out the answers to the deepest questions we have about ourselves.
- Miles Christi – A Roman Catholic religious community who provide spiritual direction and Ignatian retreats.
- Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus – A classic work on the differences between men and women and how they impact relationships.