FROM BEING MARRIED TO HAVING A MARRIAGE
There's a profound difference between being married and having a marriage. Learn to transform your relationship from a legal status to a living, evolving connection that deepens with time.
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✔ PROVEN RELATIONSHIP METHODOLOGY
✔ DEEPEN AUTHENTIC CONNECTION
✔ ENHANCE INTIMACY & COMMUNICATION
✔ MAXIMIZE YOUR RELATIONSHIP POTENTIAL
What's the Difference?
Being Married:
✘ A legal status and social recognition
✘ Sharing logistics, finances, and responsibilities
✘ Living parallel lives under the same roof
✘ Maintaining the appearance of partnership
✘ Going through the motions without consistent connection
Having a Marriage:
✔ An intentional practice of growth and connection
✔ A sacred space of being truly known and accepted
✔ A relationship that evolves and deepens over time
✔ A partnership that nurtures both individuals
✔ A container for meaningful intimacy and shared pleasure
"Marriage is a verb, not a noun. It's something you build and practice daily, not a status you achieve once and forget."
THREE SIMPLE STEPS TO TRANSFORM YOUR MARRIAGE
1
JOIN THE PROGRAM
Our 8-session program provides the framework, tools, and guidance you need. An investment of a few hours will transform how you experience your relationship for decades to come.
2
PRACTICE TOGETHER
Apply the principles and practices with your partner. All the techniques you need to build connection are in the program. If you need additional support, you can partner with Tina and Shawn.
3
EXPERIENCE GROWTH
Start seeing the results you want: deeper connection, more authentic intimacy, and a relationship that continues to evolve and grow more meaningful with each passing year.
Learn from Those Who've Walked the Path
Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers
Marriage & Family Therapist
Dr. Tina brings 30 years of experience as a professor of marriage and family therapy. Through her clinical practice, research, and teaching, she's helped countless couples transform their relationships from formal agreements to living, breathing partnerships. As founder of The Northwest Institute on Intimacy, Tina combines research-based approaches with deep wisdom about what makes relationships thrive.
Shawn Petree
Relationship Mentor
Shawn experienced the full arc of a 20-year marriage with his late wife Anna—from the early days of adjustment, through raising children to facing mortality together. This journey taught Shawn that marriage is something to be treasured and held with a posture of gratitude. With his Master of Divinity background and years of mentoring couples, Shawn offers insight into how marriages become deeper and more meaningful through intentionality and adventure.
Tina and Shawn have collaborated for over a decade, bringing complementary perspectives that honor both the practical and sacred dimensions of marriage.
The Journey from Status to Relationship
Our 8-session program provides the wisdom, skills, and practices to transform your marriage into the most vibrant and nourishing relationship on earth
Foundation
Understanding the foundations of a true marriage
Love
Moving beyond cultural definitions to an authentic experience of love
Desire
Embracing desire as the lifeforce that fuels growth and intimacy
Intimacy
Learning to be truly seen, known, and accepted aaaaa
Connection
Creating practices that maintain your bond through life's changes
Pleasure
Cultivating this essential aspect of a joyful and balanced relationship
Vulnerability
Learning to share your innermost thoughts, feelings, and desires, even when it feels risky
Marriage
The intention to craft, on a daily basis, the life and marriage that you most value
What Participants Experience
"My wife and I took this course 5 years into marriage and found many valuable and relevant lessons. Shawn the facilitator created a safe space to talk about tough subjects that aren't often covered in Christian circles. Don't underestimate the power of a 2 minute hug with your spouse!"
Married Couple | Program Participants
"As a premarital couple, this course was profoundly important in our preparation for marriage and understanding of sacred intimacy. I want to take it again every year!"
Engaged Couple | Program Participants
8 Thoughtful Sessions
Teachings from Tina and Shawn that build on each other
Comprehensive Workbook
Reflections and exercises to deepen your learning
Practical Tools
Implement what you learn between sessions
Your Own Pace
Space to explore at your own pace and comfort level
Optional Community
Connect with other couples on the same journey
Holistic Approach
Focus on both practical skills and deeper understanding
Who is the program for:
Our online program brings the transformative content to your church, small group, or organization in a flexible, accessible format.
Churches
Strengthen marriages in your congregation with research-based, spiritually sensitive content.
Small Groups
Create meaningful connection and growth among couples in intimate group settings.
Marriage Retreats
Use our content as the foundation for impactful weekend retreats or special events.
Premarital Programs
Prepare engaged couples with essential tools for a thriving marriage from day one.
How is this different from typical marriage counseling or workshops?
What if we're newly married? Is this still relevant for us?
What if we've been married for decades?
Does this approach align with religious perspectives?
How much time should we expect to invest in this process?
Get in Touch
Have questions about our program or interested in working with us?
We'd love to hear from you.
Marriage is Not a Certificate
It's a lifelong process of learning to love and be loved. Join us to discover the difference between having a marriage license and creating a marriage that grows more meaningful with time.
Get The Program