Valentine’s Day has to be the most romantic day of the year, but generally, thoughts on Valentine’s Day tend to lean towards young romantics, special dates, and newlyweds. What time do old marrieds with children, and maybe even grandchildren, have for soppy sentimentalism?Keeping the love alive can certainly be a challenge as the years roll by in a marriage, as so many different things vie for our attention, distracting from the necessary intimacy required to make any marriage successful.For 11 years, Heart-to-Heart Marriage Mentoring Ministries has been reaching out to nurture strong marriages and nursing marriages in crisis.“We’ve been working with couples upwards of 20 years, because we’ve seen the need,” said Mildred Hunt, who, with her husband, Allan, co-founded Heart-to-Heart.The couple have been busy organising their latest conference, “Honouring the Vows,” set for Sunday, February 13 at Willowbank Hotel and Conference Centre.“Everyone that gets married is looking for a happy and rewarding relationship,” Mr Hunt explained. Unfortunately, in the minds of most couples planning their wedding, all the focus and energy and excitement surround the planning for the big day, and the vows themselves are often left by the wayside as just something that is a part of the event, rather than being the center of the the ceremony.“Vows are taken before God and men,” Mrs Hunt reminded. “Once one puts the emphasis in the right direction God first all these other things don’t seem so paramount.”The couple share their desire for strengthening and supporting the vows couples make, and how they are a direct support in establishing strong families, good schools and pleasant communities, making it an excellent topic for this year’s event.Following a lavish buffet brunch, guest speakers from several different churches and denominations will be speaking to the different aspects of the vows. Bishop Patrick White, the Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, will preside over the fireside chat, as well as re-enacting a recent wedding in his Bishop’s robes. Rev. Nicholas Dill, of St. John’s Anglican Church, is the father of six children, and he will be addressing “For Better or For Worse” in finding the joy within the challenges of running such a busy household.Eversley Lewis is the associate pastor at Cornerstone Bible Fellowship, where he spends much of his time, along with his wife, Marchelle, in ministering to married couples and soon-to-be-weds. During the afternoon, he’ll be addressing the portion of the wedding vows, “For Richer or Poorer”.Little known to many, Bishop Vernon Lambe, general overseer of the Churches of God in Bermuda, was badly burned early in his married life while working at Hershey, in Pennsylvania. Two-thirds of his body was covered in third-degree burns, and he thought his life was pretty much over how could he care for his wife and very young family? Looking back on those extremely challenging days, Bishop Lambe will be addressing “In Sickness and In Health”.The final speaker for the day, Rev. Ruby Smith, will be addressing “Til Death Do Us Part”. Having only fairly recently lost her dear husband, the late Bishop Godwin Smith, Rev. Smith will bring fresh insight on growing old together in marriage and in the faith.The afternoon will conclude with a renewal of vows, led by Harold Lamb.The Willowbank Hotel and Conference Centre, allegedly the only Christian resort in the world, is very excited about hosting the Heart-to-Heart event.As general manager Terri Allison shared: “When we’re thinking about other ministries we’d like to be a part of, we’d like to be the sport for those with the community at their heart . . . [Heart-to-Heart] encourage the things that are good and positive about the family.”Heart-to-Heart were the first group to hold an event at the Willowbank Conference Centre, nearly three years ago. Planning for that simulcast began even before the conference center was completed, a step which truly impressed Mrs Allison.“[The Hunts] were willing to continue with us without having the building done that’s an act of faith. It’s at those times, when you can’t do anything, but turn to the Lord in faith.”Heart-to-Heart and Willowbank hope to continue ministering to couples together in the future, with more simulcasts, dinners and even intensives, with the support and assistance of a number of Christian relationship and family specialists around the world.The “Honouring the Vows” Brunch and Fireside Chat costs $65 per person, and tickets are available by calling 234-1616. Reservations must be made by February 9.The Hunts are hoping that pastors from churches across the Island will encourage their couples to attend, especially if they know of any couple especially struggling. They are also hoping that some churches or individuals may sponsor needy couples to attend the occasion. Anyone wishing to sponsor couples can contact Heart-to-Heart at 293-2903.