It has been a hobby of mine to collect movies that portray healthy marriages. But I have never before noticed one that was created by couples. 

 

Heart of Champions is a powerful film about a rowing team. The tough new coach is an ex Marine, and demands a great deal of the rowers, out on the water. While mostly they are pretty self absorbed, he pushes them to commit to a greater good: The team. And at the risk of a spoiler alert, the rowers flew across the river when they remembered that. 

 

There are no marriages included among either the college athletes nor their coach. Still, I cried a bunch, and the sweet feeling lingered enough that I watched the credits. Which was when I noticed the names within the production team: Alex and Karen Frum, and Lisa and John Sabina. 

 

It left me with a lovely image of collaboration on the set, as couples worked together to bring the project to life. I have not the merest idea of how movies are born, but I am tickled to let my imagination run with this one. 

 

Book dedications are a place where gratitude for one's partner shows up, if only for the emotional support and willingness to pick up the slack. Some spouses lend opinions, or editorial suggestions, and some books are actually co-authored. Yet how amazing it must be to bring a true story to the screen. 

 

Almost as amazing as bringing your own story to life.