A Just Us Recap

{ The Just Us Team: Broersma's, Petersen's & Van Mersbergen's }

It's hard to put into words what was accomplished this spring in La Conner, WA. With forty NCCTK couples present, we managed to saturate the small town with crazy laughter, new friendships, active connection between spouses, the ability to have fun while competing and in the evening cutting it up on the dance floor.

The Just Us Getaway was created to provide NCCTK couples the platform to meet other church couples, the ability to date each other and to fellowship in a non-threatening marriage environment all while laughing and having fun. Everything terrifying about a marriage seminar was removed and replaced with ease, welcoming smiles, no homework or uncomfortable moments of confessing your failures to your spouse, freedom in the schedule and optional events to take part in that again provided connection.

Many marriages have forgotten how to date, or what it's like to date each other, because simply stated, marriage is hard and some don't have the flexibility to not work on their relationship. The idea of setting aside the stress and challenges that so often accompany a couple is, and was, a very refreshing thought.

The Just Us Getaway surpassed every vision and goal we had laid out for the weekend. It was beyond fulfilling to see random couples connecting that have never met before and yet have attended the same service for years together; to hear deep belly laughter as Tim introduced our speaker. To walk into an establishment after our first Gathering and see a room crowded with double, triple dates; laughter bouncing off every wall brought such satisfaction.

Every part of the weekend provided a success including Just Us Church as we watched the live stream after our own worship led by Joel.

Nothing of this nature goes without help and the Just Us Team made it possible. From those behind the scenes to those fashioning the Just Us tees, (thanks Jessica!) there are many thank yous and shout outs to be told.

The design team at NCCTK outdid themselves with patience and creativity in all our printable needs.

Wood's Coffee provided the caffeine for the entire weekend both morning and evening.

Local businesses stepped up with over 40 items donated for game prizes and random give aways; all of which encouraged the date to be continued once home.

Sean Taylor provided the beat for our Throw Back Prom.

Mark Warren spoke at our Gatherings and provided personality tests to couples

who had never done such a thing.

The Oliver's donated their time by filming the weekend so we'd have a digital footprint to remember the weekend by.

Many baked delicious treats to sweeten the snack table.

It truly was a team effort in assembling this getaway. It is a blessing to work with a church that supports and stands behind marriages with such intensity. To have the church promoting healthy marriages, active engagement with each other and moments to deepen the relationship is a true gift to the couples and also their families.

Ultimately, the thanks and glory goes to God who, in the beginning, decided that man should not be alone. He knew that man would need a helper.

Even if it's a helper in the car...

{ Tim introduced our speaker and shared a few suggestions of possible topics he could give insight into...all of which he stated were examples from his own marriage. It was ten minutes of testimony videos that had the room rolling in laughter. }

{ The La Conner Channel Lodge and La Conner Country Inn were our gracious hosts. }

{ Mark Warren bribing couples to play group bingo with a few prizes. The room quickly became a busy chatting, bingo playing, frenzy with couples asking who's who. }

{ Couples had the option to participate in the Just Us Amazing Race that had them chasing down clues for locations, building marshmallow launchers, launching marshmallows at their spouse, building totem poles, walking the plank and going neck and neck with an orange under their chins. Needless to say, it was hilarious for the Team to officiate and watch as 20 couples raced through the town. }

{ Tim and Gwen thoroughly enjoyed being the tough judges at one of the Race Challenges. }

{ Second place, first place and third place finishers. }

If couples got to the pit stop without all their clues and items they collected from the race, they had to hula hoop while singing the ABC's. This brought such joy to me witnessing grown men and women having such a willing spirit to play together.

We even got mention in the local paper from all the hoopla running through the streets. Locals came up to me asking if they could participate; some couldn't even help our couples figure out the clues stated on the clue sheet. Such a fun event with great perseverance from all participating couples.

{ Enjoying a quiet dinner together...possibly the best halibut ever at The Oyster & Thistle. }

That evening, we provided another optional event with the Just Us Throw Back Prom. I must say, the side pony tail came naturally to me and as we were "decorating" for the night, the cheesy decor fell perfectly into place. From the punch bowl to the streamers, dessert table and hot pink lipstick, the night was filled with nothing but smiles and clean good fun. At one point, Tim had desperate pleas from our daughter to stop the embarrassment...never honey. It's what you get when Daddy becomes the official "hold the door up" position next to his buddy who became the unofficial "hold the table up" person.

Regardless of how proud I am to embarrass our kids who sat at home, we did prom well. Even had Prom King and Queen with crowns and all.