What is an Annual Check-In?

Around year 12 of our marriage, we hit a rough patch. Nothing was terribly wrong, we just found ourselves on "cruise control" with our relationship. We were busy with demanding work, three needy kids, extended families with varying crises, a family dog and, oh yes, a mortgage.

You may know the feeling! Life felt like too much at times as we worked to juggle all of the needs.

The result? Our union got placed at the bottom of the priority list. We still loved each other. Very much. But we didn't have time to really check in with each other. There were areas we knew were not working well, but we didn't have the time to identify the areas, much less have the time to "fix" them.

Around that time we attended a conference at which we were introduced to the concept of an "Annual Check-In." The speaker described an annual getaway where he and his wife would focus on their marriage. He didn't unpack the concept in detail, but we knew it was what we needed and so we ran with the idea and began to practice it yearly...making it up as we went.

Our Annual Check-In has become an event we look forward to each year. We get away for 48 hours to "check in" on each other and our marriage. We plan for fun and relaxation, while strategically talking about the different components of our lives.

It is a highlight for us and has helped us navigate all of the seasons of our marriage while getting intentional with the areas in which we long to see growth. If you want to grow in your relationship, an Annual Check-In can be a great tool for you.

After 20 years of practice, we are excited to share our framework with you. We hope it will be a blessing!