Hope Christian Church Hosts Date Night With a Purpose

In his next life, maybe  associate minister Rolland Bryar will be a game show host.

He was able to swing from hosting a round of Newlywed Game to giving a talk on love at Sunday's Married Life Valentine's Day event at the church.

About two dozen couples came for food, fun and to share their experiences.

Julia and Robert Lando of Avon have been married for 17 years. Valentine's Day means something different now than then, Julia said.

"It's a reminder of how blessed we are to have each other," she said.

They also know that romance still matters. For Robert's birthday last year, Julia surprised him with a weekend at a bed-and-breakfast at Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario.

Three game couples -- Mark and Janine Porter, Kelly and Tom Bunge and Craig and Crystal Coburn -- took part in the Newlywed Game. A lot of laughs, and a few cringes and blushes, followed as they remembered things like their first kiss, their first fight and habits that drive the other crazy.

The purpose of the night, and the Newlywed Game, Bryar said, was to show that couples never stop learning about each other.

"There's a big difference between know about each other and really knowing each other," Bryar said. "I want to encourage people to enjoy the process of getting to know their spouse. There are times when you get busy or tired, and forget to peer inside each other's heart. That's the one person you can do that with."

Bryar suggested taking time at least once a week to ask five questions he discovered while looking around at one of his favorite websites, Pinterest.

1. How did you feel loved this past week?
2. What does the week ahead look like?
3. What would make you feel most loved and encouraged in the days ahead?
4. How would you feel best pursued in this past week?
5. How can I pray for you this week?

The fourth question, Bryar said, stood out for him.

"Even when you've been married a long time, it's still nice to feel pursued and valued," he said.