Weekend Retreat for Couples, Relationship Renewal Retreat, Marriage Intensive Workshop

Have you lost that "loving feeling"? Does your relationship need a lift? Re-connect heart to heart and bring down the walls. Couples new and old, in crisis or in love, married or unmarried, gay or straight are invited to join this workshop; it is open to all couples interested in enhancing an intimate partnership.

2009 Couples Retreat Dates:

SUMMER SPECIAL: Register for any couples retreat held between June 15 & Sept. 15, 2009 and save $100 per couple!

Come early on Friday and take advantage of hotel facilities, nature walks and all that Niagara has to offer, including some R&R.

Grace works with small groups, (maximum 10 couples) at each retreat. She creates a safe and comfortable environment for all participants. You will be given communication exercises to do alone or with your partner and will not be required to share anything with the rest of the group besides the initial introduction. Confidentiality is respected and preserved throughout the weekend. This 25+ hour Intensive workshop is experiential and emotionally therapeutic and the equivalent of 12 months of weekly traditional couples counselling.

Grace is a gifted speaker, relationship coach and the author of the bestselling, Take the Step, the Bridge will be There. She is a master facilitator who works with you in a warm, supportive partnership to bring healing and greater understanding to you and your partner. Grace is an expert in an emotional healing process that she has pioneered and over the years perfected which allows negative feelings caused by betrayal, deception, infidelity, abandonment, abuse, or any other conflict become unblocked and healed. This process allows couples to get to the core hurt and then release the pain. Her approach has been proven to be extremely effective in helping couples forgive and restore love, trust and respect. According to recent research, (what is being called "the new science of love"), relationship therapy centered around expressing and healing emotions is much more effective for long lasting love than traditional cognitive or "talk" therapy. Grace is blessed with a compassionate heart which allows her to navigate through your personal issues with sensitivity and empathy. She has insight into human emotions as well as the ability to create a safe space between you and your partner so that maximum truth telling and healing can happen. Grace will share her knowledge and wisdom and lessons she's learned from her 28 year marriage as well as from working with hundreds of couples like you. To learn more about Grace Cirocco visit her bio at Grace Cirocco.com

Dear Grace: "Your timing, sensitivity, knowledge, skills, and passion were amazing gifts to us all and to Glen and me personally. I thank God that you have had the strength and self-knowledge to offer to the world what you were truly meant to do. What greater gift is there than your ability to love, to reflect love, to give love, to teach what love looks like, it’s language...Your great big compassionate heart is nursing the world’s handicapped hearts. You are my heart hero.... " Anne & Glen Peace, Oakville, ON

What You Will Learn at our Couples Retreat Weekend:

*Gain clarity about who you are and what you want in your relationship
*Heal the emotional pain from the past that is locked in your emotional brain
*Restore trust, learn to forgive and experience true reconciliation
*Learn to give and receive the love, encouragement and support you need
*Learn how men and women differ psychologically and what you can do to communicate better
*Learn how to deal with anger, conflict and other intense emotions in a healthy way
*Learn how to identify and avoid the toxic patterns in your "relationship dance"
*Understand the secret for physical intimacy
*Get to the real issues and create a plan for moving forward
*Learn the four stages of the spiritual path of intimate relationships
*Get the tools you need to create lasting harmony, passion and connection

Dear Grace: "I am so empty of the anger that once consumed every piece of me in this relationship. THANK YOU! We are soooooo much better together--better then we have ever been in our 18 years together!! We are touching and hugging... it is wonderful! We came to your retreat feeling like we were both on the last leg of our marriage and we have come home feeling like now we finally have a marriage..." Angela & Marc, Winnipeg

Don't underestimate what "healing toxic emotions" can do to a relationship. I've truly seen miracles at my retreats (read some of the personal testimonials below). In the brand new book, Tug of War: A Judge's Verdict on Separation, Custody Battles, and the Bitter Realities of Family Court (2008), Harvey Brownstone says many couples cause extreme hardship for their children and spend thousands of dollars in court unnecessarily because they cannot handle their intense emotions towards each other. Emotions like anger, vindictiveness, rage, greed, and anxiety produce toxic results not only for the couple but for the children caught in the middle. Marriages may end, but couples with children need to learn how to co-parent and that means learning how to navigate through difficult emotions. That is what you will learn at the RRR weekend. It might be too late for your relationship, you've may have both decided that divorce is the best option, but if you have children, please consider this program. You will not only save yourself thousands of dollars in court/lawyer fees, but you will heal the misunderstandings and toxic emotions between you so that you can be the role models you want to be for your children

You don't have to be on divorce's doorstep to enjoy and benefit from this relationship retreat. 60% of our couples are not in crisis but realize that if they don't deal with their hot issues, they could very well be. Every relationship has "issues". Rather than sweep problems under the rug, it's important that you learn how to navigate through the negative emotions and solve problems as they come up. Take a preventative approach and sign up now. You'll learn and practice communication tools that will help you navigate through your feelings and reconnect heart to heart like you've never done before.

1. Riverbend Inn & Vineyard, 16104 Niagara River Parkway
    Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
   1-905-468-8866 or toll free: 1-888-955-5553
   To see photos & get directions visit   Riverbend Inn & Vineyard

What your Couples Weekend Package Includes:

Does not include Dinner Saturday night as this is the "Date Night" Assignment and couples are encouraged to create and design a date in either Niagara Falls or Niagara-on-the-Lake.

SUMMER SPECIAL: Register for any couples retreat held between June 15 & Sept. 15, 2009 and save $100 per couple! Graduates of Grace’s Women’s Retreats receive an additional $50 discount per couple.

Accommodations are extra if you're coming in from out of town however we have negotiated extra special rates for our guests coming to the Relationship Renewal Retreat and we have ten rooms reserved for our Couples Retreat. PLEASE MAKE YOUR OWN HOTEL RESERVATIONS HOWEVER WE SUGGEST YOU REGISTER FOR THE RETREAT BEFORE BOOKING YOUR ROOM TO ENSURE YOU HAVE A SPOT. Rooms are held for us up until 2 weeks before. If you're booking at the last minute, there may not be any rooms left. Please let us know and we'll suggest another hotel.

How to Register for the Couples Retreat Weekend:
Registration Form and a $200 (Cdn) deposit per person is required to reserve your spot.

By Internet:    Click here to fill out the two step registration form.

By Mail:    Fill out step one of the registration form and mail your deposit cheque (total $400) payable to Grace Cirocco Inc., RE: COUPLES RETREAT, P.O. Box 30038, RPO Ridley Square, St. Catharines, ON., L2S 4A1, Canada.

By Telephone:    Call Retreat Coordinator, Leah Taylor 905-688-0868 and pay your $200 per person deposit with VISA or MASTERCARD over the phone. We will fill your registration form for you. If you're calling after hours, leave all the information on the answering machine including credit card #, expiration and name on the card. Our answering machine is very secure.

REGISTER EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT! Registration Deadline: 7 days before
QUESTIONS? Content Inquiries: Contact Grace Cirocco 905-688-0868 or grace@gracecirocco.com
Logistics or Registration Inquiries: Contact Leah Taylor 905-688-0868 or leah@gracecirocco.com

Cancellation Policy: If you cancel your registration at least two weeks prior to the start date of the workshop, you will receive a complete refund on all monies paid or you can forward your deposit to a future retreat to secure your spot. If you cancel less than two weeks before the start date of the workshop, your deposit only is non-refundable. If you cancel less than one week before the start date of the workshop, there is no refund on all monies paid

"Dear Grace: Your Relationship Renewal Retreat has met and exceeded our expectations. I thought Dave and I were at a point in our relationship that we could not recover from, but YOU brought us to new places Grace. I don’t think a simple 'thank you' is enough. The therapy and exercises you gave us at the retreat took our relationship to levels I never thought possible. I feel for the first time that he has heard me. My biggest learning was that he actually feels pain, shame, and guilt for what he has done. He has never expressed any of that to me before in all our years of marriage. I love him more now that he has, with your help, showed me his true feelings. Even though he was that tough cop, he is more of a man to me now than he ever was! Everyone should attend your couples weekend. Our relationship feels rich with new love, understanding, and appreciation." Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Forever in our Hearts, Dave and Kim – Sarnia, ON

"Dear Grace: I feel so good about our relationship right now; I haven't felt this close in years! I loved the journaling and sharing and all the physical contact and date night! Grace thank you so much - you truly are an angel - you helped me to see my husband through different eyes. Eyes of the girl who married him 35+ years ago. And I think I can say the same for him. God Bless You. You have a wonderful gift!!" Carol Olack, Pittsburg, PA

"Grace – Overall the experience was more than I could have hoped for – I feel so much better – I gained a better understanding of myself, Karen and our relationship. The exercises helped me get in touch with the emotional side of myself – something that has not happened in years. I love your teaching style – you hold nothing back and there is a care and compassion in your voice that is palpable – your style screams “I want to help you, I want you to get this”. My experience on the retreat was very positive – your approach was refreshing – after many hours with marriage counsellors, someone helping you see the positive side of things and helping to actually work through the garbage was absolutely great. Both of us being in touch openly and honestly with our emotions in a safe environment is something that has been lacking in our relationship for years." John P. Thunder Bay, ON

"Grace, words really do fail me when it comes to expressing how wonderful your couples weekend retreat was for us. It was truly one of the highlights of our lives together. You are a gifted leader, a strong woman and a talented facilitator. How wonderful that you use your gifts in such a positive way--to heal couples and, by extension, to heal their families. I was thinking when you were taking our pictures that you must have collected a great wall of photos by now of people whose lives you have touched and helped heal in such a profound way. What a legacy you will have at the end of your life, knowing that you have helped people to grow and strengthen their marriages and thus increase the chances for their children and their children's children to lead happier lives. The work you do has far reaching effects and that is something to be so proud of!" Thank you, Grace. Anne Bokma & Jeff Mahoney, Hamilton, ON

"The day my niece, Grace came into this world, Roger and I met. This weekend, you, Grace were witness to and the facilitator of the re-birth of our relationship. Thank you Grace....Thank you so very much. Your ways gave me back my wonderful husband and put us back on the path we once intended to walk....Roger looks different to me...I'm the flower to his sun, just starting to open on a spring day." Stephanie Ross-Alouche, Ajax, ON

"I feel so much more aware, even enlightened, about my behaviours and their impact on my relationship with Stephanie. My biggest learning was knowing more about me. By identifying who I am, especially in certain situations with Stephanie and the value of being authentic. I now know what to adjust so I can get what I truly want - happiness, fulfillment and respect as a father, husband and friend. I liked the accommodations, the venue, the food, the exercises we did but most of all, I loved your approach Grace, your knowledge, your energy and your authenticity. I am truly blessed to have experienced your Relationship Renewal Retreat. There just aren't enough words to express my gratitude." Roger Alouche, Ajax, ON

"After completing your weekend retreat for couples, I am feeling calmer, happier, hopeful and much more positive.Just like the song says "I FEEL GOOD!". I also feel more compassion for my spouse. This weekend has helped me remove the anger, the bitterness and "the edge" that used to show up when we'd speak. The sarcasm is also gone from my tone of voice. I hope this feeling will last forever. It gives me joy to FEEL that we are both FINALLY (after all these years) on the same page , working towards the same emotional goal. Hurray!!!!!! Grace, you were absolutely fabulous! I believe you are definitely doing what you were meant to do on this earth. Please don't ever lose your passion! We both thank you so much!" Lory & Mike Mencarelli, Woodbridge, ON

"I could never have imagined a more dramatic change in our relationship. I feel completely different. I feel like I'm in a brand new relationship. It is a miracle. I never imagined it possible to communicate with each other more in a few days, than we have in the last 10 years. I felt empty inside before this weekend. I no longer had hope and I was simply just going through the motions. I had given up on "us".. Without your help Grace, I am sure we would not have survived. Grace, you are so wise, so compassionate and you understood Bruno and I so well. You have helped us so much. I didn't want the weekend to end." Jenny Tye, Newlowell, ON

"I just read the divorce rate is 50%! If only we could bottle the magic that is you, Grace, I know that number would significantly reduce! Thank you for giving us a the foundation for a healthier relationship. I feel hopeful about my relationship now. My biggest "a ha" moment came when I discovered the role I played in adding to the dysfunctional dynamic of our relationship. I look forward to having conflicts with Norm because I want to show our children how MATURE adults disagree and resolve conflicts. Grace there are no words to describe what a wonderful gift you are..." Carol & Norm, Toronto, ON

"Our marriage was stuck in a rut and we were in desperate need of a tune-up. Your couples retreat gave us solid, practical ways to reframe our lives in order to create a healthy, strong and loving relationship. By the end of the retreat, we had re-kindled our love, renewed our commitment to each other and came away with a sense of peace and security. Grace, you are a dynamic coach, nurturing, positive, passionate and powerful. Grace - It is hard to express in words what your retreat (and your book) has done for me. You are kind, warm, generous and unassuming. You showed this uncanny ability of making us feel like we alone mattered and what we had to share was important. You taught us how to navigate through our “stuff” in a safe environment. The hotel, the food, the camaraderie of other couples and the program content all exceeded our expectations. Grace, you exude enough warmth to melt the most skeptical heart. God has blessed you with a special gift and a compassionate heart. Thank you for everything." Rose & Bert, Toronto, ON

"Grace we have tried many things and have never come across anyone like you who truly helped us. We felt like you understood us and believed in us. I feel so much closer to Josh. We dug so deep and shared our deepest fears and dreams. I am amazed at how open he was and how much hope we both have. I was so happy to learn the differences between men and women and that there isn't anything wrong with us. I thank you for that. Everything about your couples retreat was exceptional, even the venue, the White Oaks resort is fabulous and we felt so well taken care of.... " Nikki Johnson, St. Paul, MN

"This was a fantastic workshop. I feel that our marriage is back on the right track and I feel connected back to my wife and family again. I now have a whole new understanding on how my wife is wired to accept love and I will use what I have learned this weekend to show her the love that she needs and deserves. I also have all the "Grace tools" in the future should problems arise again. Thank you so much. " Joe Roberts, Markham, ON

"We feel really positive about our marriage and emotionally reconnected. We found a way through all the hurts thanks to you. We know that we can move beyond our differences now. Grace, you are so wonderful and real. You are not judgemental as some therapists often are....everything about this couples retreat weekend exceeded our expectations." Denise & Jim Darlington, Ottawa, ON

"Dear Grace, I loved the intensity and the passion that you put into your couples weekend retreat and your teaching style. While I came into this weekend with an open mind there was still a part of me that thought I wouldn't get much out of it. (After all, I have been to so many of these things). Boy was I wrong!!! The process from the introduction – to peeling the onion exercises– to communication--to rebuilding completely made sense and helped me view myself and Melissa in a different light. This would not have happened without the atmosphere you created from the moment we walked in the door. When 6:00 on Sunday rolled around I was so disappointed to be leaving. Grace I thank you more than I could ever express in words. Your retreat not only helped my marriage, but it helped me regain a piece of myself that had been missing for way too long.... I feel alive again, cleansed! You are blessed with a gift of healing and we were truly blessed to have found you...thank God for the internet!" Robert Brinkman, Rochester, Minnesota

"Grace, thank you for your guidance and your encouragement as Robert and I worked through many issues that had been eating away at our marriage. As you know I didn't have a lot of expectations going into your couples weekend, but I found as Robert opened up and really embraced the whole experience, I found myself able to hope too that this could be the beginning of something new for us. He experienced a shift like I have never seen before and am thrilled to see him still committing to the changes. He is like a new man. To be able to talk to Robert and have him listen and not judge is immeasurable. Thanks to you, we are talking now like we never before. We have also been hugging and kissing a lot.... You have given us something I didn't think we could ever have and that is a happy, healthy marriage. I have shared my experience with my friends and family as they are the ones that I have vented to about the bad, so I wanted to share the good. Robert has been recommending your retreat to everyone he meets. You may see an influx of people from Minnesota attending your retreats..." Melissa Brinkman, Rochester, Minnesota

"Dear Amazing Grace: I wanted to thank you personally for what turned out to be one of the most rewarding weekends of my life. Going into the couples retreat, I must say that I entered with optimistic skepticism. Like many other couples, Joanne and I had our issues, some more serious than others but nevertheless definitely threatening our marriage. After we left, we both felt a sense of awakening, inner peace, hope and new found love for each other. Life has no guarantees, but we both feel strongly that if we apply what we've learned from you we can have a better relationship than ever. It will also help us to deal with life on lifes terms in a much more positive way. For this, I can't thank you enough. As I told you at our departure, you have touched my soul and I am giving a part of it back to you to say thanks. Never stop what you're doing... From the top and bottom of my heart, thank you. " Larry Le Gal, Cambridge, ON

"Dear Grace: After your “RRR” weekend , we couldn’t wait to get home and start applying our new insight to our everyday lives. You provided a safe place for us to communicate all of our needs and sort thru it without getting lost in the hurt and pain. We both feel that the retreat was a very special gift for both of us. We loved everything--the other couples, the beautiful hotel, the homework you gave us, and above else, all your teachings. We have a new awareness, a new respect and love which is exciting...we are best friends again and our marriage feels new and refreshed. God answered our prayers and a real Angel showed us the way. Thank you Grace for your compassion, wisdom and sensitivity. We feel so blessed to have met you . We read a few pages from your book each night. Your heavenly insight is inspirational for us." God Bless. Maria & William, Toronto, ON

"Dearest Grace: For the first time in a very long time, I feel that my husband and I will be around to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary (our 25th is coming up in a few months!). The closeness and compassion I feel for my husband after your relationship renewal retreat is so different than how I have been feeling for almost a year now. I have been able to see our relationship through his eyes, and feel the hurt and heartache he has been experiencing. This workshop taught me how to step out of my own way and see things from a totally different perspective. This weekend gave us a chance to really voice and show what has been bottled up inside us. Grace, you provided a safe and loving environment for both of us so we could share and experience “the peeling of the onion” as a couple.....your humour and wonderful style of teaching helped to keep us intrigued and totally captivated.... Thank you for opening your heart and honouring us with your love and knowledge." Mandi Neiser, Stoney Creek, ON

"Dear Grace: You performed surgery for us….I see in your eyes the love you hold for people. You Grace, walk your talk. The biggest awareness that I received this weekend was to step outside of my own pain, and begin to see my partner’s pain. The knowledge of how women and men differ in their communicating skills was also an eye opener for me.... My wish is that all couples can experience this retreat (married and unmarried)....I feel a sense of hope and gratitude, deep love and understanding for my partner....I know we still have work to do, but we'll be okay." Filomena & Joseph Costa, Mississauga, ON

"Thank you so much for all you have done for us..... It was an honor to be a part of your couples weekend retreat. We left with a peace of spirit and hope for our marriage and future. The weekend was very powerful for us. We have changed and we are celebrating the changes. Jeff and I used to fight every single night because we had so many unresolved issues. I am happy to say that the fighting has come to a stop and it is all because of you. It is so nice to not have the boxing gloves on anymore. Last night at dinner we held hands and said a gratitude prayer. We have so much to be grateful for. You are a blessing Grace. We are so thankful to know you." Much love, Jeff & Lorraine, Maryland, USA

"I feel very hopeful that we have regained a focus to our marriage, and our lives. So much of what's been happening in the last two years, has been centered around activities for the kids, domestic chores, and work/careers. We kind of left our marriage behind somewhere, but now thanks to you, Grace and your retreat, there is a new center, and that is the couple that 19 years ago started this adventure called "marriage". The restored communication has refocused our energies and priorities to include us as a couple and invigorated my love for my wife...The weekend definitely got us to really face each other and the REAL issues.....all was very well organized and conducive to open discussion without feeling self-conscious.....great balance of group activity and instruction to give me confidence to share my feelings openly. I felt very relaxed...." Chris Koroknay, Markham, ON

"Dear Grace: I am so empty of the anger that once consumed every piece of me in this relationship. THANK YOU! We are soooooo much better together--better then we have ever been in our 18 years together!! We are touching and hugging and just looking at each other, it is wonderful! We came to your retreat feeling like we were both on the last leg of our marriage and we have come home feeling like now we finally have a marriage. We have even made it through our first disagreement which was just a disagreement, not a full-fledged argument like before and Marc actually talked about it FIRST! We are communicating in a totally new way... He even told me the other night that he was going into his “cave” for a bit and we both laughed. We both thank you from the bottom of our hearts." Angela & Marc, Winnipeg, MB

"Dearest Grace: Your couples retreat met and exceeded my expectations! You have a true gift and those lucky enough to find you are truly blessed by your warmth, understanding and guidance. Words cannot express my gratitude for what you have done for us. You showed us how to take our love that had been left to die and give it the light and nourishment it needed to grow and flourish once again. I am forever in your debt." Heidi, Burlington, ON

"Grace, I loved your warmth and your courage. I could feel it instantly, and I felt I could partner up with it and trust you to take us on the journey. Your content was excellent and the exercises amazing... I'll never forget peeling that onion. I found the basis of my fear in our relationship and it has changed everything for me. Reminding me of the value of my emotions gave me back a lot of backbone - I had become so used to feeling they were a shameful problem. I loved the one-on-one coaching throughout the weekend. I loved that if we stumbled on a problem or issue, you were right there for us." Susan & Bob, Cambridge, ON

"Dearest Grace: We had a great time at your retreat! The program was emotional and intense, and it totally worked for us - we were 'lost' but have found our way back to each other. You are a very special person to say the least. You have bestowed upon me the wisdom and ability to understand the needs and wants of my partner, Jeff.... Thank you for helping me to open the door in my heart that allows me to forgive and love again. I now possess the tools to crave Jeff's love, not to reject his love. You are truly an angel sent to me for which my gratitude and appreciation can never be fully expressed in words. I am enlightened and looking forward to our new future together." April Sheldon, San Jose, CA

"The weekend was an unbelievable help! We had an amazing time!!! We have reconnected. We have passion again. We truly miss each other when we're not together. We are best friends again. Our relationship has matured. We are more honest with our feelings and we are respectful and aware of each other's needs. We liked the set up of your program, the atmoshere was wonderful. We enjoyed meeting the other couples. We loved how you inspired us all!!! Grace, you helped us break down little walls that could've really grown over time. We don't have the words to express our gratitude for how you have enriched our lives and our relationship. Your perspective on life is empowering. You inspire us to be better people. We think of you often and we miss you!" Scott & Michelle, Waterloo, ON

"Dear Grace: On August 13, 1971, I fell in love with April Sheldon. On September 16, 2007, I fell in love with her all over again at your Couples Retreat. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. " Jeff Halper, San Jose, CA

"I'm so glad we came back a year later to do more work....what a gift to our marriage! We were able to delve into some of our issues at a deeper level...Something shifted energetically this time and we found a new found appreciation for each other. On the drive back home we both felt serenity and calmness. We loved everything-- the five star hotel, Niagara, the other couples, and most of all, you Grace. Your couples weekend retreat is one that you FEEL….deep inside of your heart and soul. The experiential portion, all the exercises you made us do were awesome. Grace, you have been a life-line for our marriage. Bless you, your husband and your family as you continue to help the couples who come to you…..I am sure that many marriages have been saved because of the work you do with couples!! You are truly an “ANGEL”. We thank you from the deepest part of our hearts " Filomena & Joseph Costa, Mississauga, ON

"I feel hopeful and excited about our marriage and future. I feel more light hearted and happier. I feel like my husband's eyes have been opened and that he finally "sees" me. I feel a new accountability towards the success of our marriage. Thank you Grace." Erin K. St. Catharines, ON

"I just wanted to let you know how much Michelle and I enjoyed our weekend at the couples retreat. It was wonderful to have met you, being around you was powerful and uplifting because of the positive vibes you give off. Michelle and I were working hard on our relationship prior to our weekend with you but I can truly say we were able to come away with so much more of an understanding of each other. Michelle and I are now reading your book TOGETHER and we also listened to your cd on the way home...I am glad there are people like you in this mixed up world trying to bring peace to peoples lives. Thank you Grace." Ben Barile, Rhinebeck, NY

Dear Grace: "The couples retreat was very powerful. I learned a lot about myself and about my spouse, Ben. We are going to incorporate what we have discovered into our daily lives. We are reading your book together every night before bed. Much of what we learned parallels the spiritual work we are doing and it was just another reinforcement that our spirituality is so important in order to attain happiness. You are quite an individual; you are very very special. I felt almost lifted up in your presence and I could actually feel your presence for a while while we were driving home....I wish I could have spent more time with you so that I could be filled up with your goodness.You are so lucky to be able to help so many people." Michelle Barile, Rhinebeck, NY

"I have never felt so optimistic and hopeful about my marriage.... I feel a kinship, a friendship, a wonderful loving feeling in my heart for the man in my life. I did not think it was possible, but Grace, you never cease to amaze me with your ability to bring clarity and meaning to the most hopeless situations. You helped us breathe life back into our sacred union, you helped us to uncover the magic of seeing and appreciating all that we have and heal the open wounds that were hurting both of us. The most treasured moments came when we 'peeled our onions' and wrote our letters ... it was through these exercises that we were able to SEE each other and come to know our vulnerabilities and most importantly love and bless each other. I can now see our future together and I know that Doug and I were always destined to be together. So much could have been lost had we not attended your Couples Retreat. God bless you Grace! You are a gift, a magical wonderful angel! " J.L. Georgetown, ON

" I moved back home last month and things are incredible. I am happy, loved and honoured. Grace, you had a huge part in our reconciliation. We learned so much at your relationship renewal retreat, and we were able to work out our big issues. We totally re-connected that weekend in Niagara - and the rest was just up to us to keep it all going, and practice everything we had learned. I feel so lucky to have an amazing husband who fought so hard for us, and be willing to put the time and energy into our relationship. We both worked hard. Things are good Grace. Still issues come up, of course, but we are dealing with them in such a different way. And huge shifts have occured in both of our thinking about situations and each other..." Tina, London, ON

"We feel we have let go of a lot of our baggage that was in the way. We have rekindled the flame of love both for ourselves and for each other. We are ready to continue in the new-found passion between us. This weekend was magic. Grace, you are amazing, brilliant and you have such beautiful energy. Thank you." Maureen & Peter Kolassa, Kitchener, ON

"I feel more hopeful now after your weekend. I know that we can still connect and that we will be able to adapt and prosper from the changes resulting from our move from the city and our children having left the nest. We have committed to hugging at least once a day and to spending some time each night discussing what we are grateful for. We are also going to take a line dancing class and trying to find an interest we can pursue together. I liked the way we could benefit from the group experience and dynamics yet still work independently and maintain a level of privacy. I really appreciated and benefited from the individual coaching and support that you gave to us as we did the exercises Grace. I loved everything about the weekend... Now I feel that we have the difficult task of maintaining momentum and commitment. I think it would be great if you could offer a week long workshop/vacation for graduates of the weekend who want a longer, perhaps less intense but more sustained learning opportunity." Susan & Pat, Buffalo, NY

"The weekend was amazing, it brought much needed comfort and clarity.We feel closer to one another, as well as more loving. We are committed to making this work. We loved everything even though at first we felt like we might be overwhelmed by some of the exercises. We quickly realized afterward how rewarding they were because we did not want it to end. Our marriage felt healed in that space. The location & hotel was excellent and Grace, what an amazing facilitator you are! We would totally recommend you and your couples retreat to anyone who is struggling in their marriage." Scott & Laura, Kingston, ON

"Grace, your couples weekend was priceless.... It is indeed the best thing that has happened to our relationship. You made me see a side to my husband that I never knew existed. Today I have a renewed love for him.....I don’t know how you turned that resentment and anger back to love in such a short time. You should know that we have had counseling by two marriage therapists in the past, however, we NEVER made the progress that we made at your workshop. Even our children sensed the changes when we got home....thank you!" Debbie, Guelph, ON

"Grace, your compassion for struggling couples is exceptional and throughout the weekend, I saw you perform miracles. Thank you for opening my heart and paving the way for forgiveness. I didn't think I could forgive him but I have thanks to you. Amazingly enough, after all these years, we now feel closer than ever before. I feel "renewed" and I'm filled with hope and goodwill towards my husband and my life." Kimberly, North Carolina

"Grace, I was a very tough sell--I didn't want to be with my husband. I didn't even want our marriage to improve. I just wanted out. You won me over with your enthusiasm & your humour. You established a goal to aspire to. Our marriage feels like a well aged cognac. We have definitely developed a higher level of appreciation and understanding for each other and our interactions. Instead of being jarring and tense, we are becoming warm and caring. I thank you for such an incredible experience." Connie, Newmarket, ON

"I just wanted to thank you, honestly and truly, for what you have helped us accomplish during the couple's weekend. I was waiting for a few weeks to pass, cause I really wanted to see if it made a real and true difference, and not just, you know, have the "high" for a few days and then "back to nomal". Well, it made a true difference. What a feeling to have those POSITIVE emotions restored! I personally feel much happier, and passionate! The intimacy issue that we both brought up to you has been, well, let's just say there are NO ISSUES with that anymore. I am so happy to have my husband back, and to be able to feel the passion for him I knew was locked deep inside. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted, I feel free to express myself and it's just so nice to have those butterflies again. I need you to know what a true difference you have made. You are an angel. I know you get that often, but it's true. I am recommending your couples retreat to all my friends and clients. One last thing. I wanted to let you know that I had chosen a baby's name but wasn't 100 % sure about the girl's name. I knew I loved it but I was just going to wait and see.Well the name I had picked was "Grace"! After the couple's weekend, because I think things happen for a reason, there is no doubt in my mind that if this baby is a girl, she will be called Grace." Kim & Andrew, Kingston, ON

"You have helped me so much to understand that it's okay to let go. You are wonderful and I would highly recommend you continue working with couples. I love what you have done for us and will never forget you and this weekend..." Gary, Barrie, ON

"Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou for being very good at what you do..I am not easily impressed and was entering the workshop with less than great expectations for the outcome. The workshop far exceeded my expectations on how we would be able to break through difficult issues and actulay come out closer as a couple. Your unique blend of energy, humour and proffesional insights made the long results focused days go by quickly. There is definitely a renewed energy that I have for making the marriage better than ever. I believe we can use some of the basic relationship principals and grow as a couple beyond what we would have had we not attended this workshop. I know we will have challenges that come up however I am optimistic that we will deal with them in a much more positive way." Tom, Newmarket, ON

"Dearest Grace: How can I begin to say thank you for the wonderful work you do, you are truly a blessing to us all. The weekend was more than I expected it to be and had such a significant impact on our relationship…..The experience has helped me to understand where my wife has been coming from and vice versa. We both are excited about the next chapter in our relationship and I believe we are both committed to making it work. So far yesterday and today have been filled with great communication and things are continuing on the path as when we left Riverbend on Sunday." Lui Pisano, Toronto

"We are on our way to rekindling our beautiful friendship that has been tucked away for a while. I really feel that I have been given another chance to reconnect with my very best friend--my husband. Thank you again Grace for sharing, loving and making a beautiful difference in the lives you touch. You truly are an amazing spirit." Kelly, Orillia, ON

"I feel like I owe you my life, you saved us this weekend. I needed a different perspective on my life and my marriage, and you laid out the yellow brick road and showed me the way. I will be forever indebted to you. I feel rejuvenated…. I feel like I can feel happy again and have faith in my self to communicate my feelings and emotions to my wife." Kyle Foster, Oakville, ON

"I feel relieved, excited, hopeful that we have let go of some of the pain and negativity. I’m excited and hopeful that with what I have learned we can have a wonderful relationship. Thank you Grace! Tashi Deley. From both an individual level and as a couple, you validatedme/us. Words cannot express my gratitude for your guidance !!! " Allan & Daniella, Dundas, ON

"We are in love more now that we were before, and we didn’t honestly think that this was possible! Thank you doesn’t seem to be enough – what an amazing concept you have, the love you portray to individuals is so honest, so pure, it’s very refreshing in a world like we have. I hope your dreams of love reach further with each hour you give of yourself. We are blessed to have met you. " Jeff & Leila Thompson, St. Catharines, ON

"I feel renewed, excited, safe. I feel my marriage is very strong and that we needed to get back down to each other to see it again. We found each other again – we are a team again. Thank you Grace – I did not expect to learn what I did about myself. I know I would have spent and wasted more time being angry if it was not for you. Thank you, thank you, thank you." Tara, Pickering, ON

"I wish I had found your course ten years ago! I've finally reached the level of emotional intimacy that I've been aching for all these years. I see my partner with a fresh pair of eyes and I now understand him at a whole different level....making love has reached a whole new dimension." Paula, Chicago, IL

"I knew that I would get a lot out of this weekend, I just never dreamed my husband would... He has been following your suggestions and tips everyday. The day after our return he put on some of our favourite music and wrote me a letter. He apologized for having had a closed heart all these years; for abandoning me emotionally. He thanked me immensely for having booked this retreat even though he wasn’t keen at the beginning. This letter was the icing on the cake after an already perfect retreat. I thank God for having sent you to me. I love you for your gentleness, sincerity and vigour for life. Your passion and talent is overflowing with greatness. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." Piera, Toronto, ON

"This weekend has allowed me to make him understand how I have been feeling about our marriage in a long time. You have helped me in making him aware of my needs, my desires; what frustrates me; what makes me happy.... I finally was getting his full attention-- something that I could never do in the past....You are amazing Grace... Between Friday and Sunday I could feel and see the huge impact this retreat, the tools given to us and your help, support and love had on all of the couples that were there.... The renewed hope of a better and improved marriage and relationship was written all over the faces and could be felt in the body language of all the couples...." Amanda, Montreal, QC

"I am extremely hopeful and excited to take our marriage forward. We have gone from shut down, resentful, angry and mistrusting to responsive, honouring, willing to do the work, and grateful beyond words for the experience, tools and wisdom you shared with us. Thank you Grace. Your insight, heart and soul healed all of us." Lisa, Barrie, ON

"Grace, you have given us the tools to dig down and find the love we have for each other. You are the most loving and giving person I have ever met. Your ability to show people how to love really is a gift...." Dwayne, London, ON

"I have had my eyes opened about the mistakes I have been making in my marriage but also had the opportunity to reveal my deepest hurts and fears to my spouse. I am so hopeful about our marriage now." A.J, Windsor, ON

"Thank you! Thank you! Your section on male vs. female characteristics was not only hilarious but so telling as I realized a lot of our conflicts are exactly around these issues." Angela, Oakville, ON

Dear Grace: "I feel so much better about my marriage now that I've been thinking in terms of what is best for us and not in terms of "when am I going to split". We are very close and I feel love again. We have totally changed our attitude towards each other. Our marriage feels brand new. I just pinched myself and it's real. I can't thank you enough Grace for what you've done for us and all the couples there." Dave, Toronto, ON

"We have cleansed the negativity and the poisons that were destroying us and holding us hostage. For the first time, I feel true hope...." John, Niagara Falls, ON

"I'm so glad we came back and did your couples retreat again! I do believe it makes sense to do this couple's therapy work every 6-12 months as "maintenance" for our marriage. I was in a much greater accepting and hearing place this time than last year. I realize how much progress we have made in a year! I was open with how I felt and able to tell him more fully what was/is on my mind without fear of what his reaction might be. I told him things this time that were very deep in my heart and it has brought us closer together. The venue was perfect. The food was excellent, date night was far better this year. I felt cherished and looked after since he made all the arrangements. We will likely do the retreat again in the fall as we feel this type of "relationshp maintenance" is invaluable. Thank God, for you Grace." Katharine, Aurora, ON

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**The Relationship Renewal Retreat is featured in the latest issue of Inns Magazine. Editor-in-chief, Mary Hughes says the retreat was a "life changing experience" Read full article here**

Signs You May Need A Relationship Tune-up

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