June may be the month to be married, but every month is a great one to focus on building your marriage. Bree Carroll, the 2020 Armed Forces Insurance Air Force Spouse of the Year, has made it her mission to save marriages & equip couples with a focus on celebration, connection, building, and growth.
According to MFAN statistics: The top effects of military life on marriages, according to active-duty couples, were obstacles: stress and strain, specific difficulties, and weathering separations and absences. These statistics are why it’s more important than ever to be intentional in nourishing your relationship and having clear communication.
Hearts & Stripes
Bree runs a military marriage podcast called Hearts & Stripes. On starting, she said,
“I started the podcast after four different couples in our friend circle made the hard choice to divorce. It bothered me that it was starting to be a common thing and that marriage support was not common. There were general counseling services and family resources, but few that spoke specifically to marriage. My goal with the podcast was to discuss different resources, get advice and hear the stories and struggles of others in the community so that no couple felt alone or hopeless as they navigated this crazy thing I like to call MilMarriage!”
With 31 episodes of diving into military-specific issues, such as the reserves, male military spouses, and marriage through deployment- her encouragement, honesty, and straightforward tell-it-like-it-is podcast is just what the doctor ordered.
Roll Up Your Sleeves, and Build a Great Marriage
As the AFI Air Force Spouse of the Year, she says, “My goal is to advocate for military marriages and celebrate beauty in our unique challenges. Stronger marriages will yield a thriving community and a stronger force.” How to create stronger marriages? Her top two tips are:
1. Self-Improvement: Both people have to show up healthy and willing before the marriage can thrive. It is important to focus energy on being the best version of you and loving yourself enough to do that first.
2. Communication: All areas of communication have to get fine-tuned along the way as you make your marriage better. Sometimes it’s not about what you are saying, but what you’re not saying.
So pop the champagne, and celebrate your spouse today. Marriage is hard work sometimes, but it’s worth it. For more resources, you can find Bree online at:
Hearts & Stripes Podcast: www.bcarrollevents.com