The Good.
Support and Friendship
Having other married friends has provided support and so much perspective, especially during challenging times. As newly weds getting perspective and council from friends has been a game changer.
Shared Experiences
I have found that we share a lot of similar experiences and challenges as married couples, and having a trusted community provides a safe space to discuss these experiences and learn from each other.
Fun and Social
Hanging out with other couples on double dates is probably one of my favorite things to do. I enjoy hanging out with my husband and I rather make weekend plans that include him than plans that don’t include him with my girlfriends (sorry, not sorry) lol. Hanging out with other married couples allows us to do fun social things together and I love that.
The Struggle.
Finding the Right Group
The biggest and most obvious struggle when it comes to finding the right people to welcome into your home and life is compatibility. Unfortunately, we have dealt with couples who compare, have differences in core values and let envy get the best of them. It’s bound to happen from time to time, but it still sucks.
Time Commitment
Being apart of a community requires a commitment of time, which may be challenging for busy couples. We both had to really commit to putting in the effort to make time to show up for our friends and pour into these relationships to make them work.
Communication
Effective communication is essential for building a successful community, miscommunications or misunderstandings can lead to unnecessary conflicts. Which is the complete opposite of why we wanted to build a supportive community in the first place. If you can’t make it to a birthday party, never got the chance to return a phone call or left someone off the group text..reach out, explain what happened and create clarity.
Tips to Get Started
Here are some tips to get started with building a community as a married couple:
- Join Existing Groups: Joining an existing group, such as a church groups, sports/club teams, or local HOA/PTA boards, can provide an opportunity to meet other couples with similar interests.
- Host Events: Hosting events, such as game nights, or barbeques, can provide an opportunity to bring couples together and build relationships.
- Volunteer: Volunteering for a community organization can provide an opportunity to meet other couples while giving back to the community.
Lastly, be open and authentic. Being open and authentic with other couples can help build trust and create deeper connections.
Building a community as a married couple can provide so many benefits but, it will take time and effort. Similar to anything in life, if you put in the work you will reap the rewards (I promise)!
