“Ought to be required”

“Since you two are marriage enrichment leaders, you need to go to see the movie Hope Springs. It’s good; maybe ought to be required for the marriage enrichment group.” So read the e-mail. ‘Need?’ ‘Ought?’ ‘Required?’ Reviews were good, but the characters would be too real and in pain. ‘Entertainment?’ We didn’t really want to ‘go there,’ but we went.

Reply: Thank you so much for sending us to see Hope Springs. We made some couple time after church, got there an hour early (checked the paper, not the website), but chilled to the music and relaxed before the ‘on-screen’ games began and the place filled up with ‘boomers.’ Ed dozed in post sermon collapse; you know he was called last night to sub for a sick pastor. Kind of nice to hold hands in the quiet. While some of the movie was stressful to watch, it was a vivid portrayal of what can happen when couples lose track of each other in a variety of ways. Kay and Arnold lost the intimacy that brought them together in the beginning, not only sexually, but in listening, laughter, and play. It hurt to witness the loneliness. The therapists did help them to move forward. There was not a Pollyanna ending, but there was a hopeful happy ending. Wonderful things happen when hope is renewed and reinforced. A good movie for couples of any age.

You are right. Marriage enrichment is about getting and staying connected with our mates. Life works hard to disconnect us! Time is short. Work is hard. Loving kids is challenging. Health can be fragile. But having a life partner, friend, and lover is a blessing to be cherished, not taken for granted. We are intentionally making time to keep in touch with each other. There is even hope for couples like Kay and Arnold. There is hope for us and for you.” The characters needed the help of the therapists to move forward.