Building Stronger Relationships for the Common Wealth
In all the excitement of wedding planning, no one wants to think about divorce. Trust us, it’s not something we want to talk about in a wedding magazine either! But with roughly 50% of marriages ending in divorce or separation, it’s something we HAVE to talk about! After all, getting married is far more than planning a celebration — it’s planning the rest of your life.
Now what if we told you that there is something you can do to cut down your chances of experiencing divorce by 30%? That’s a no-brainer! Studies show that attending premarital counseling as a couple will decrease your chances of divorce by a third.
This is where Rebecca Blackwell and the team at the Relationship Foundation of Virginia come in. Relationship Foundation of Virginia is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening communities through healthy relationships, marriages, and families. Whether you’re single, engaged, married, or in a long-term relationship, RFVA offers coaching and engaging programs that provide the practical tools for building strong and fulfilling relationships.
After chatting with Rebecca about premarital coaching and the other incredible programs RFVA has to offer, we were ready to sign up for a session ourselves! With 15 years of experience working with couples, certifications in several Marriage and Relationship Coaching programs, and her own 24 years of marriage, Rebecca has plenty of insight to share into what it takes to build strong foundations. She also has a clear passion for helping others form marriages just like the ones she grew up admiring.
“My grandma always said, “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger,’” Rebecca remembers. As she watched her parents navigate 58 years of marriage, Rebecca learned the importance of family, faith, and solid communication. Though her father has passed, he left Rebecca with strong roots, and she continues to honor his legacy by finding the silver lining of every situation and helping others develop those same strong roots.
“This is not your old-fashioned premarital counseling,” Rebecca says. “It’s your opportunity to connect and talk about what WILL happen, what COULD happen, and the good and the bad of being married.” Some of the topics Rebecca covers in her sessions include communication, problem solving, sex and affection, finances, children and parenting, spiritual beliefs, family, and friends.
Not sure if premarital counseling is something you need? Ask yourself if you and your partner have had successful conversations about a few things:
How soon do you want children?
How many children do you want?
How will both families be involved in the marriage?
How would you handle job loss or a sudden move?
What type of roles and responsibilities do you see yourself taking around the house?
If you haven’t discussed at least a few of these topics as a couple, you may not be setting up a strong foundation for your future! Your sessions with Rebecca will be a safe space to share your feelings, make plans, and grow as a couple. Those big topics seem a lot less scary when someone is guiding the discussion!
Rebecca and the team at RFVA also counsel couples who are getting remarried and bringing two families together. Rebecca will help you learn from your previous relationships to create clearer communication and stronger foundations than ever before.
Once you’re a part of RFVA, you’re a part of their community for even more of life’s big events. After the big day, you can join The Ring of Relationships, a monthly subscription service offering quarterly coaching, annual assessments, discounts on date nights, and more.
And speaking of date nights, RFVA hosts incredible events for couples! You’ll be invited to dances, movie nights, glamping trips, paint parties, and more! Whether you’re looking to connect with other couples or make memories together, you’ll learn a little bit and have a whole lot of fun. You can register for date nights at www.rfva.org.
And they don’t stop there! RVFA also hosts Dad Bootcamp for new dads! This virtual half day event is hosted for dads, by dads. A veteran dad will talk you through what to expect as a new parent and what to expect throughout labor, delivery, and beyond. You can also register for Dad Bootcamp on the RFVA website.
The best part? Four premarital coaching sessions with RFVA are ONLY $150! That’s a steal of a deal when you remember that the simple act of participating in premarital counseling means you’re 30% less likely to experience divorce. PLUS, mentioning RVA Weddings gives you $25 off, AND you can give these sessions as a gift! Who needs another set of mixing bowls when you give the gift of a strong relationship foundation?
To learn more, please reach out to rebecca@rfva.org, visit wecoachcouples.org, or follow RFVA on Instagram at @getrelationalva.
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