A night of comedy, food and romance is being organised in celebration of International Marriage Week.

Alan and Mildred Hunt, veteran marriage mentors, are hosting the Date Night in White/Red at The Reefs on Friday from 6.30pm.

The event is being organised through their faith-based agency, Heart-to-Heart Marriage Ministries, which they have run for more than 30 years.

There will be a dinner, a dance demonstration by Bermudian instructors Walter and Joanne Ingham, as well as a screening of comedy clips by Mark Gungor, an American pastor, motivational speaker, author and musician.

Mr and Mrs Hunt introduced International Marriage Week to Bermuda in 2012, and the week runs from February 7 to 14. They said the theme of this year’s event is inspired by Al Green’s song Let’s Stay Together.

Mr Hunt said families need to find more time to spend together and strengthen bonds while trying to minimise stress.

He said: “This year, we are encouraging date nights. The family is under stress, so we want you to take time out — go on a date night.

“It is also important for families to do things with their children. Our society is falling apart because we don’t invest the time with our children.

“Our males are faltering because when the marriage is under stress, the children are going to reflect that stress.

“Our problems with law and order have a lot to do with the family unit.”

Mrs Hunt said that parents should model how a healthy marriage looks.

She said: “Life has its ups and downs, but we must teach our children what love looks like. They watch us and how well we do or don’t love our spouse, they watch our efforts, actions and words.

“People sometimes forget that they have youngsters around, but invariably the children are learning from them. You are an example to the children in how you speak, address one another and honour one another.”

Mr Hunt said that honour in a relationship is “like water to a man lost in the desert”.

He added: “Honour is placing more value on your spouse than yourself.”

The Hunts, who have been married for 53 years, said faith has played a big part in their commitment to each other.

The couple have hosted off-island retreats for spouses, hosted workshops and seminars, and have brought several speakers to Bermuda.

• Tickets for the event are $75 per person and include dinner. Spaces are limited. Anyone interested in attending should call 535-7244. Anyone wishing to stay the night at The Reefs should call 238-0222