Military couples improve marriages with help from 10 Great Dates

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Varga
  • 82nd Training Wing
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Sheppard couples are getting help in dealing with the inevitable speed bumps of marriage in the military through 10 Great Dates, a 10 week class that began Aug. 6 at the Airmen and Family Readiness Center. 

"This course is not marriage counseling as much as it is education. We don't want to tell couples what to do anymore we want to show them and help them learn so they can get through the tough times," said Robbie Monaghan, the instructor for the class. 

Couples meet at the Airmen and Family Readiness Center to take part in a small lesson. A short video clip is played in which certain skills are discussed for the couple to talk about on their date. 

After the video the couples all go to their respective date location with an idea having already been provided by the lesson. 

Our goal at the Airmen and Family Readiness Center is to help couples revitalize their marriage and build a healthier, happier life together, Mrs. Monaghan said. 

The personal relationships, especially marriages, of Airmen are very important to the Air Force. This course provides the tools that will help keep those marriages strong, she said. 

Tech. Sergeant Stacey Yeager and his wife Catherine attended the class because they wanted the time away and thought the experience would be different and fun. 

"I didn't know what to expect," Sergeant Yeager said, "But the class helped us really open up and communicate which was nice." 

The class is about putting marriage first, committing to grow together, and working at staying close, Mrs. Monaghan said. 

Currently the class is full however the airman and family readiness center will be hosting the course again in the near future. Call 940-676-4358 for more information.