(If you want to hear Lori read the story click)here

 

Last night my twins were showing me a song they were trying to sing by committee. Hope had taken charge of a third of the words, Aurelle had adopted another third, and the last bunch were joint territory. They could barely get through it without wiggles of laughter, while they ping ponged back and forth through the shared lyrics. Clearly they had practiced with no more promise of reward than the joy of cooperation. Their eyes were stapled to each other for cues. Both smiled as audibly as they sang. It was adorable. 

 

I added it to my theoretical list of training programs for couples. In the past we have tasked partners with joint juggling, cutting paper with one pair of scissors, playing piano with one hand on the keys and one around each other's back, and trust falls. My mind ricochets with the possibilities. 

 

 

Imagine marital boot camp, where couples work together on a treasure hunt whose climax is an elegant dinner. Suppose they had to join forces to solve a series of clues about the location of a celebratory date. What if they had a quest, demanding synergy and problem solving skills?

 

I think I have an idea for my workshop at the conference in 2013.