The weather was absolutely beautiful this past weekend so we packed the horse trailer with saddles, bridles, reins, extra hay, and our horses, of course.  We set out to find a new heritage preserve in our area where we could ride our horses over 400+ acres.  Knowing it would be a bit of a ride, we grabbed Ashleigh Slater’s book entitled Team Us to accompany us on this trip.  Little did we know when we set out on this trip that this book wouldn’t just be our “entertainment” as I would read as my husband drove our rig, but it would also open up deep discussions during our travels.

The idea behind this book is to read it together as a couple.  You could choose to read it out loud as I was doing while my husband drove, or you could read a section and hand the book to your spouse to read at their leisure.  No matter how you decide to do it, it’s just important that the two of you are … dare I say it … on the same page.  All silliness aside, though, this book can be used as a valuable tool for a deeper connection and an opportunity for reflection between you and your spouse.

As I went through the first few chapters to catch my husband up on what he had missed since I read ahead, we made a point to go back over the exercises at the end of the chapters.  I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation as the miles rolled by.  There was serious discussion as well as times we would smile and start laughing as we reminisced together.

The truth of the matter is that a lot of people go into marriage with blinders on.  They are so excited about starting their lives together, often times getting wrapped up in all of the details to make their wedding day “just right.”  But, what happens after the wedding cake has been cut, toasts have been made, and the final dance has taken place at the reception?  You begin your LIFE together as husband and wife.  You should no longer be consumed with “me” but should, instead, focus on “US.”  You and your spouse took each other’s hand, lit the unity candles at the wedding, and walked down the aisle Mr. & Mrs. united in holy matrimony.  And thus you two joined together as a team to do this thing called life!  What happens more times than you think is that people are still stuck in their singleness mentality.  If that is how you approach marriage, it just will not work.  It is, in fact, a team effort.  It takes BOTH of you working together to make this union work!

Ashleigh had me from the very beginning as I flipped the pages of this book to the introduction and read a quote from Audrey Hepburn that Ashleigh chose to begin with:

If I get married, I want to be very married.

I said something similar last year when my husband and I went through a rocky period before being more determined than ever to make this work!  What’s the point in going through the motions?  If you’re going to get married, be ALL into this!  Don’t do anything halfway, especially when it comes to marriage!  Don’t just give 50% … give 150% ALWAYS!  If you’re going to do something, do it with much determination, dedication, devotion, and loyalty!   It’s not all about me.  It’s not all about him.  But it is completely about US!

Being one that does not wish to spoil a good book by giving you all of the details and wealth of information found within the pages, what I would like to do is offer you a book of your own to read!  IF you are interested in learning more about Team Us, please enter our giveaway below for your chance to win Ashleigh Slater’s book.  I am confident that you will be nodding along as you read her words as you’re sure to identify with them, just as I did.  As you read through, you will have a chance to get your spouse involved.  You may be surprised, just as we were, of the deep, heartfelt discussions that will follow!

Ashleigh offers ways to strengthen the unity in your marriage.  Whether you’re a newlywed or have been married for 12 years like my husband and I have, your marriage will benefit from this book!

Enter to win your copy today!

Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.