Everyone dreams of the perfect wedding and the perfect marriage just like in the movies. But who really has these fairytale marriages? Care for the Family is answering just that question with a new course that will help not just long-time married couples but also newly weds get the most out of their matrimony.

|QUOTE|"Most couples begin married life with a rose-tinted view that they'll live happily ever after, but making that dream a reality takes time, effort and commitment," says Dianne Parsons, who will host of Care for the Family's special evening for married couples.

The It Takes Two course will run in four cities across the UK this autumn and is intended for all married couples, whether they are just starting out or have celebrated several decades together.

Dianne is the wife of Rob Parsons, author of The Sixty Minute Marriage, and she will share some of her insights into marriage which, despite being married to a 'relationships expert', is, she says, no easier for her than for anyone else.

"Often we are afraid to talk about the difficult things because we think we're the only ones facing them," she explains. "We all go through tough times in marriage - with our children and our families."

"It Takes Two will help married couples put the theory into practice when it comes to married life," explains Dianne.

"Every couple at It Takes Two will be encouraged to celebrate the positive things about their marriage and will be able to take away practical ideas for resolving some of the everyday issues that married couples face."

Topics covered by It Takes Two include:
• Perform a health check on your marriage
• Having a vision for your marriage
• Putting together the 4 pieces of the marriage puzzle:
o Commitment
o Making connections
o Handling conflict
o Enlisting support
• Putting marriage in the context of society.


Dianne, who has a wealth of experience in speaking to audiences on the subject of marriage, will be joined at the evenings by Richard Hardy, community development manager for Care for the Family, and Katharine Hill.

"Marriage isn't always a fairy tale - but you can live happily ever after," said Care for the Family.

It Takes Two takes place in:
COLCHESTER, Plume Avenue United Reformed Church, Plume Avenue, CO3 4PQ, on Tuesday 10 October 2006
NORWICH, Holy Trinity Church, Trinity Street, NR2 2BJ, on Wednesday 11 October 2006
GLASGOW, Mosspark Baptist Church, 155 Corkerhill Road, G52 1PG on Tuesday 28 November 2006
EDINBURGH, Faith Mission Centre, 548 Gilmerton Road, EH17 7JD on Wednesday 29 November 2006

Both events last from 7.30-10.00pm. Tickets cost £6.00 and can be ordered from Care for the Family, PO Box 488, Cardiff CF15 7YY, by phone on (029) 2081 0800, or online at www.careforthefamily.org.uk/ittakestwo