Couple of the Month: #TeamHarris

Every month, Sheridan and I want to feature a married couple of the week. We know many of these couples personally. Others we have come to admire from afar. Either way, we appreciate happy and healthy marriages. Ones that recognize the messiness of marriage and still commit to lifelong partnership.

This month we want to feature Christopher and Carmen Harris. We always ask our couples to submit a photo that best represents their marriage. And #TeamHarris did NOT disappoint. They are a fun couple, doing life together in Tampa, Florida. Take a few minutes to learn a bit more about their story.

1. How long have you been married?

21 years.

2. When did you know they were the one (include his version of the story vs. her story)?

Her Story: I knew he was the one the first time we talked in Math Lab, Freshmen Year at Florida State. I strategically placed myself in his path for 4 years.

His Story: I knew she was the one my first year of Graduate School after I left the State of Florida.

3. What are some of the things you do to keep your relationship growing (and spicy)?

Laugh alot together, Date nights, Tell each other everything…and the fact that there’s a 10 year difference between our youngest and second youngest should let you know there’s no spice missing from the relationship (SMILE!).

4. What part of marriage wound up being pleasantly surprising for you as a couple?

Her: The raising of children. We’ve been able to have a normal life even with the kids. I’m (Carmen) pleasantly surprised how much control we have over our lives even with four kids.

Him: How many times we would move. If you would have told me that we would have moved to the places that we’ve moved and where, I would have definitely doubted it.

5. What would you say is the most challenging this about being married?

Her: Maintaining a connection. You take for granted that because you see a person every day and sleep in the same bed every night, that you would automatically be in step with each other and you can easily get out of connection and how much work it takes to get back in step with each other.

Him: I’m not sure that I was prepared for the emotional and mental workout it takes to be a healthy husband.

6. If you could name one thing that brought you the most joy as a married couple what would it be?

Her: The presence of the peace in our marriage.

Him: Growing together. We’ve approached the great things and challenging things and come out on the other side and you get perspective on it all.