Pam Woolway - The Garden Island
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‘OMA‘O — A silver anniversary for many couples conjures visions of parties or vacation cruises, but for lifetime Kaua‘i residents Tim and Lynn Mira 25 years of marriage meant a trip of an entirely different nature.

“We had a difficult, empty-nest syndrome,” Tim Mira said of the years following their two sons’ acceptance into universities. “We spent a lot more time face to face.”

From that Mira realized it was time to deepen his connection to his wife. As part of a small Christian home group, a handful of couples committed to improving their relationships by following a program designed by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, the founder of Love and Respect Ministries.

So inspired by the experience, Tim and Lynn Mira decided to guide couples through the program. For the fifth time, the two will facilitate the class. The five-DVD packet, divided into six, 90-minute sessions, is from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday at Kaua‘i Bible Church off Kaumuali‘i Highway near the nine-mile marker in ‘Oma‘o.

Excited and burdened about male and female communication, Emerson launched the Love and Respect Conferences in August 1999 to serve husbands and wives, the website states.

 Mira attests to the validity of program’s content as possessing insights that can help struggling couples and strengthen stable relationships.

 “We saw what was happening on Kaua‘i during the economic downturn,” he said. “With the break-down between mom and dad, it trickles down to the kids. We can’t help the economic situation but we can help the relationship.”

The six consecutive weeks allow couples to practice what they learn between classes.

“It’s a commitment for couples. We want people to create their own success stories,” he said.

Having struggled with his own tendency employing “the silent treatment,” Mira discovered that what he lost with his wife was “precious time.”

While neither profess to be counselors, the Miras do feel optimistic about their role as coaches.

“The program goes through the steps for improving communication,” he said. “It’s powerful and entertaining. Emerson’s words are so practical.”

Mira wants to show people how to excel at their marriages.

“When you analyze your relationship, there’s not a huge problem — it’s little problems. When you don’t communicate you compound those 20 little problems,” he said. “You are really close to making it. Let me give you this thing that will take you to the next level.”