I want to add a third E

Engaged Encounter was great and definitely worth it, but it was extremely exhausting (wow, that's two more E's!)

We got there about 7:15 Friday night and were there until 2:30 p.m. or so Sunday. But Saturday we had our day planned pretty much non-stop from 7:30 a.m. top 11:30 p.m. That was a loooong day.

But, seriously, we did get a lot out of it that will help us as we prepare for marriage. I could tell you what, but then I'd have to kill you:) Milford was as nice as usual. The retreat center is right on the Little Miami, it's quite scenic and beautiful, and there's a labyrinth. On our only brief break on Saturday we walked the labyrinth and just took a break from all the emotional (5th E!) conversation.

If you're getting married and facing the choice between Pre-Cana and Engaged Encounter, I would recommend EE. It's actually just nice to get away and think about marriage NOT the wedding for a weekend. You know, a wedding is a day, a marriage is a lifetime ... They stated that divorce rate for couples who make this weekend is like 5 or 7 % or something, much lower than the national average.

Even if you're Protestant, many churches have Engaged Encounter programs (I'm not sure for non-Christian religions). The weekend was not overly Catholic, so most Christians would probably feel comfortable on the Catholic version as well, and it is open to all denominations.

The couples leading obviously put a lot of time and preparation into the weekend, and I'm very appreciative. Most of the people in attendance seemed to enjoy it too.

Oh, and not so many people from high school (though there was a guy who would've been a frosh at X when John was a senior, but being that the school is huge, they had no clue). No one from my high school. There were 3 other couples there where we at least knew one of the two (from the group through which we met each other)!

So, all in all, it was emotionally enriching, yet extremely exhausting. Lot's of E's. Now, I must go catch up on my sleep!