Before their wedding, the Waltons participated in marriage formation with Wade and Mary Margaret Mathers, a mentor couple married for 36 years and serving in this ministry for seven. “We keep the names of each couple we mentor written in our morning prayer book and pray for them daily,” Wade shares. “In a world that can feel so broken, this ministry fills us with hope.”

Thomas admits he was nervous at first. “I knew we’d be talking about very personal things with people we didn’t know,” he recalls. But a pre-formation dinner eased those fears. “They made us feel comfortable right away,” Sierra adds. “It felt like we were building a friendship, not just checking a box.”

One of the most valuable lessons they learned was that perfect compatibility isn’t the goal. “Formation taught us that differences can actually strengthen a marriage,” Sierra says. Through a compatibility assessment, they discovered how their unique strengths and weaknesses could complement each other. For Sierra, the experience reshaped her understanding of marriage: “It’s not just about having a partner to go through life with — it’s a covenant between a man, a woman and God.”

Formation also equipped them with practical tools: how to handle conflict, communicate openly and manage expectations. “Unspoken expectations can never be met,” Sierra notes. Both agree they now approach marriage with less selfishness and more mindfulness of each other’s perspective.

Zach and Laya Yager, married in August 2024, share a similar story. Like the Waltons, they weren’t sure what to expect — but quickly found themselves looking forward to each session. “It helped us better understand how each other communicates,” Laya shares. “Especially in moments of frustration, learning how to balance each other’s personalities and find a resolution.”

The program also opened their eyes to topics they hadn’t considered — like finances. “Bringing up those things really helped us be more prepared,” Laya says. “Hearing how someone outside of our immediate family deals with financial issues helped us find a strategy that would work for us.”

What stood out most was the personal, conversational approach. “It wasn’t overly structured,” Laya explains. “It felt comforting — more like an open discussion than answering questions.” Zach adds advice for other couples: “Remain open and honest, and you’ll get so much more out of it.”

Both couples agree: marriage formation isn’t just preparation for a wedding day — it’s preparation for a lifetime. Through honest conversations, practical tools and faith-filled guidance, they discovered that marriage is more than a partnership; it’s a mission to love deeply, grow together, and lead each other closer to Christ.

Programs like this are possible thanks to The Ministries Appeal, which helps fund marriage formation across the diocese. Your generosity ensures couples receive the guidance and support they need to build strong, faith-filled marriages — marriages that don’t just last but transform.

Because when love is rooted in faith, it doesn’t just last — it transforms.