Renowned “love expert” Gary Chapman, the best-selling author of “The Five Love Languages,” will help couples strengthen their relationships ahead of Valentine’s Day at the UF/IFAS SMART Couples Celebration.
Scheduled online via Zoom on Feb. 13 from 6 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. EST, this event will offer expert guidance through interactive sessions to dive deeper into the principles that have helped millions of couples worldwide understand and improve their relationships.
The event will include insightful presentations, Q&As with the speakers and giveaways, including a date night for two at a Florida resort hotel.
In addition to Chapman, the keynote speaker, the event will offer numerous presentations by academic and therapeutic relationship experts:
- Joyce Calixtro, of the UF counselor education program: “The Language of Building and Rebuilding Powerful Trust”
- Briana Gaines, licensed professional counselor and North Carolina State University faculty: “The Language of Creating Sexy and Meaningful Connections”
- Victor Harris, director of UF/IFAS SMART Couples project: “The Language of Keeping the Flame Alive and Fun!”
- Jeneé Duncan, of UF/IFAS family, youth and community sciences department: “The Language of Fighting by the Rules of Engagement”
- Lesley Hull, licensed therapist and Nationally Certified Counselor: “The Language of Amazing and Unifying Communication”
- Nelly Nelson, UF/IFAS Extension family and consumer sciences agent: “The Language of Love & Money that Makes You Rich!” (presented in Spanish)
“The focus is really learning to speak the different languages of intimacy, speaking our partner’s love languages,” Victor Harris, director of the SMART Couples project, said. “There are lots of different languages, including the language of what fun and engaging experiences look like and trying to meet the other person where they are, as they are.”
Harris said this event differs from other relationship-themed events because it is rooted in scientific research around relationships and couples.
“You’re getting experts in therapy and couples who work on all sorts of different issues,” he said. “We’re having them speak on the more tender issues like what intimacy looks like from researchers who know the research well and know what couples need to know. You’re getting very research-based and real-world information.”
The event aims to attract a diverse audience, including couples in Florida interested in enhancing their relationships, past participants of SMART Couples events, parents and new couples. Singles and attendees of the “Before You Tie the Knot” program are also encouraged to join.
Registration for the SMART Couples Celebration is open through Feb. 10. The registration fee will be $15. Participants can register via Eventbrite, with the link available on the SMART Couples website.
“We’re going to talk about fundamentals, but we’re also going to discuss a lot of other strategies that can enhance your relationship,” Harris added.
The SMART Couples Celebration is part of the broader SMART Couples project, a UF/IFAS Extension project which aims to provide couples with the tools and knowledge to build and maintain healthy relationships.
“The most meaning and the most purpose, the highest highs and the lowest lows are centered around relationships,” Harris said. “There’s a lot of hype around Valentine’s Day, but putting something together that strengthens couples is key. Our goal is to increase positive interactions and decrease negative interactions, ultimately increasing overall well-being and satisfaction.”
For more information about the SMART Couples Celebration and to register for the event, please visit smartcouples.org.
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ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
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