Valentine’s Day often arrives wrapped in cards, flowers and promises of romance. But for many married couples, February brings a quieter reality — distance, fatigue and the fear that love is slipping away.

Bill and Trudy Hehn know that reality well.

Married for 58 years with two children and two grandchildren, the Hehns once found themselves drifting apart.

“We didn’t talk,” Bill said. “We were married but living a single lifestyle. Trudy left.”

Their story reflects a growing experience among married couples today. Financial stress, demanding schedules, digital distractions and cultural messages that treat marriage as temporary have left many spouses feeling disconnected and unsure where to turn.

Then Bill heard about a new marriage ministry launching in Northeast Florida called Retrouvaille-Rediscovery, a program designed to help couples heal deeply wounded relationships. He signed up. Trudy, not wanting to give up on her marriage, cautiously agreed to attend.

“I truly believe God sent us there,” Bill said. “It saved our marriage.”

Retrouvaille-Rediscovery is a nonprofit, volunteer-run ministry that began in French Canada in the early 1970s. The program came to Jacksonville 40 years ago, though its beginnings were modest.

A small group of couples, sustained by prayer and faith, believed deeply in the mission. Under the patronage of St. Joseph, they trusted that God could restore marriages that seemed broken beyond repair.

On Dec. 6, 2025, the Retrouvaille community gathered at the Refinery Restaurant in Jacksonville Beach to celebrate four decades of helping couples rebuild their marriages. The evening honored both the milestone and the lives changed along the way.

Six longtime leaders were recognized for their extraordinary service: Ann and Tom Crowder, Bill and Trudy Hehn and Wallace and Ruth Ann Atwell. Plaques were given to the couples in gratitude for their years of dedication to strengthening marriages and supporting couples in crisis.

“A 40-year anniversary is remarkable for a ministry that began with little more than faith and determination,” said Leigh Baumann, current community coordinator. “The program has been operating continuously since 1985.”

Ann and Tom Crowder helped launch the ministry in its early years. Married for 63 years, the Crowders brought professional experience and deep conviction to the work.

Ann, who holds a degree in education and counseling, worked more than 13 years in the diocesan Family Life Office and participated in several marriage enrichment programs with her husband.

“When we attended a program, we found the courage to talk about faith,” Ann said. “We began praying together. That changed everything.”

The ministry struggled initially to attract volunteers and participants. Momentum shifted when Bill and Trudy attended an international Retrouvaille gathering in Canada.

“They came back energized and inspired,” Ann said. “That renewed sense of mission helped the ministry grow.”

Today, Retrouvaille weekends are structured and immersive, led by three couples and a priest. The experience includes Mass and opportunities for the sacrament of reconciliation, followed by monthly gatherings that foster continued healing and community.

Wallace and Ruth Ann Atwell attended one of the earliest programs while facing divorce.

“This ministry saved our marriage,” Ruth Ann said.

Married 56 years and parishioners of St. John the Baptist Parish in Atlantic Beach, the Atwells later became leaders within the community.

For Ann Crowder, the impact of the ministry extends beyond individual couples.

“Strong marriages are important to families, to society and to the Church,” she said. “When marriages heal, families heal.”

That belief continues to guide the Hehns’ involvement decades later.

“I wanted to give back to the Lord for saving my marriage,” Bill said. “This became the mission God asked me to do.”

Trudy agrees.

“It’s not just about helping couples stay together,” she said. “It’s about saving families and future generations.”

As Valentine’s Day invites reflection on love, Retrouvaille-Rediscovery offers a deeper message: love is not only a feeling but a commitment that can be renewed, even after years of pain.

Marriage Today: Why ministries like Retrouvaille matter

Marriage faces increasing pressure in today’s culture. Studies point to rising marital stress tied to finances, work-life imbalance and digital distraction. Many couples report feeling emotionally disconnected long before they consider separation.

At the same time, fewer couples seek help early. Shame, fear of judgment and the belief that problems should be handled privately often keep spouses from reaching out.

Faith-based marriage ministries like Retrouvaille offer a different path. Rather than focusing on blame, the program emphasizes communication, forgiveness and the healing power of grace. Couples are reminded they are not alone and that change is possible.

Church leaders consistently point to strong marriages as foundational to healthy families and vibrant parishes. When couples learn to repair broken communication and recommit to one another, the effects ripple outward to children, grandchildren and the wider community.

As Valentine’s Day celebrates love, Retrouvaille reminds couples that lasting love is built not on perfection but on perseverance, faith and the courage to begin again.