You've probably seen those dramatic popup ads on fresnobee.com saying things like "We kiss more often . . . because of ME" and "Our relationship rocks . . . because of ME." It's a great little ad campaign and I could not resist calling to find out about them. The ME part stands for marriage education and the ads send you to the Web site called www.caMarriage.com. If you live in Fresno County, you can go from there to a link with the Healthy Marriage Coalition of Fresno at www.growyourmarriage.com
I talked to Ron McLain this week, who leads this group locally, and he described a wide array of marriage education classes being offered all over Fresno County with a goal of lowering our dismal divorce rate by 15%. He'll write in detail about this in a commentary on Saturday's Valley Voices page.
Both secular and religious classes are offered, primarily "Mastering the Mysteries of Love" and "How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk (or Jerkette)." McLain says about 90 people are taking the class at New Covenant Community Church and soon classes will be starting soon at People's Church and an even bigger enrollment is expected.
McLain says the classes are exceptional because they not only teach principles of creating strong relationships, but they also teach students in the classes how to actually implement them. The coalition is training mentors, hoping to offer the classes in schools, churches and community centers countywide. There already is a class for the girls in the juvenile justice system. That is really good news. I always cringe when I see young women with children swept up with gangbangers and other criminals. I constantly wonder what awful circumstances could have caused them to place their children in such jeopardy.
The group aspires to teach classes in all the county's varied languages, so folks interested in teaching in another language are strongly encouraged to make contact.
We've got the sweetest engaged couple in our office. Jennifer Ward, who directs our interactive media team, is engaged to Scott Martin. I'm telling you, guys, this man is so good he is scary. Flowers on Valentine's Day? Of course, that's for amateurs. He sends her flowers on Election Day every year, knowing what a big deal it is in the newsroom. This year, I swiped the card off her flowers and this is what it said: "A free press is as necessary as a well-regulated militia. Thanks for all your work in keeping us informed! Love, Scott."
Now, there is a man who gets all the kisses he wants. He'll make a great husband.
Dear Gail,
Thanks for posting your article on the "because of ME" effort. Very nicely written. I've had the pleasure of working closely with Ron & Joan McLain and their Fresno County Healthy Marriage Coalition team. They're great folks committed to strengthening marriages and families throughout the greater Fresno area. Your article helps spread the word about the importance of Marriage Education (ME). Thanks again! - Bento Leal
Sounds like a good support and counseling group. Married couples often take the marriage for granted. Everyone should sit and spend some quiet communication time with their spouse at least every few months to state what if any things bother them before the relationship can get in jeopardy. This would include their dislikes as well as their likes about the relationship. Without communication there is no marriage. Our pastor told us we should do this every month for the first year which can often be the most difficult. It works and we are happily married now for 17 years.