ITG: ‘Love in Action’ campaign challenges military couples to strengthen their relationships

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Faced with frequent moves and long separations, military families often face unique challenges and this February, the Cohen Veterans Network (CVN) encourages military couples to reflect on and strengthen their relationships with the “Love in Action” campaign.

“One of the things that our culture perhaps doesn’t do a great job with is really enforcing that relationships are hard work,” Alaska Cohen Clinic Director MaryBeth Goodman explained. “‘Love in Action’ is really an action-based campaign to teach people how to be in a relationship, find success with it, happiness with it, find contentment with it.”

The challenge provides couples with exercises and resources for reflection on key areas of their relationships, including communication, conflict resolution, and personal accountability.

Goodman says one of the key points of “Love in Action” is the importance of slowing down and truly listening to your partner before trying to problem solve.

“Service members, families, and veterans, we are action-oriented people. [We] know exactly how to do that and we’re going to tell you how to solve your problem. But in relationships… we want to feel heard,” Goodman said. “It might be as simple as ‘Hey, it sounds like you just want me to listen right now and not take action, is that right?’”

Through “Love in Action,” CVN aims to give military couples the resources they need for long-term success.

“Mental wellness means taking simple actions every day,” Goodman said. “What better gift idea [for around] Valentine’s Day than to look at your partner and say you matter to me?”

For more information about the “Love in Action” campaign and how to take part in the challenge, click here.

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