By Paige Atwell
At the age of thirty-six, husband and wife duo David and Liz Gibson decided they needed a change. The problem was, they had absolutely no idea what that meant. David was an entrepreneur and Liz was working in graphic design, and they both shared a passion for the outdoors and leadership. After two years of praying and seeking direction, they stumbled upon a 100+ acre property just ten miles from downtown Franklin and one thing became clear to them: God wanted them to start a camp and retreat center.
Deer Run Retreat opened its doors in 1998 as a 501c3 nonprofit ministry. With a premiere staff and facilities, Deer Run can accommodate 240 overnight guests and up to 450 for day retreats. “The staff at Deer Run genuinely exemplify hospitality and servanthood to our guests. A host welcomes retreat guests and serves them throughout their stay,” says Co-Founder Liz Gibson
Throughout the years, Deer Run has hosted a multitude of events and retreats for all age groups and organizations. In 2008, they decided to add a new type of retreat specifically for married couples. After going through their own share of marriage difficulties and coming back from what many would consider to be a hopeless place, they wanted others to have the tools to experience this restoration to thrive in a relationship.
These one-of-a-kind retreats are specifically designed to create intimacy and communication. As opposed to larger-scale retreats, Deer Run’s is limited to fifteen couples max. “With a smaller number of attendees, couples get to know each other, share their story, learn from each other and interact on a personal level with guest speakers,” explains Liz.
The weekend kicks off with couples arriving at the upscale lodge for dinner, fellowship and a guest speaker. Later, couples can enjoy one-on-one time in cozy lodge areas or by the campfire. On Saturday, after hearing from more guest speakers, couples roam the grounds while doing relationship building activities. Husbands and wives work together to accomplish a variety of initiatives and learn priceless tools for communication and trust. The evening concludes with some free alone time and an upscale, candlelit dinner accompanied by live music. Before leaving on Sunday morning, guests enjoy worship and a closing speaker session.
“The weekend ends much too soon for most couples because of the focused time they have spent together,” says Liz. “Because of this shared experience, many leave with new friendships and stay connected for years afterwards; it’s a personal support system that naturally comes together during these weekends.”
The goal of the marriage retreat is to strengthen good or great marriages and give hope to and insight to those who might be struggling. All couples can gain something from the marriage retreat. “Deer Run’s Married Couples Weekends are for couples in all seasons of marriage — from the heights of love to the depths of struggle,” explains Liz. “The weekend is for any age and for those who have been married for any length of time. Couples who are in their younger twenties to those who are in their upper sixties have attended. Some have been married for as little as four months and others for over forty years. Some are in their first marriage and some are in their second or third.”
Although these retreats are offered year-round, there is no better time to experience this bonding experience with your significant other than Valentine’s Day. The Valentine’s Day weekend retreat is the perfect gift to yourselves. Deer Run does all the planning and allows you to take time away from the hustle and bustle of the holiday. You’ll enjoy intentional one-on-one time to focus on one another and strengthen your relationship, along with roses, chocolate, campfires and couple photos.
To learn more about Deer Run and their retreats,
visit DeerRun.camp or give them a call at 615.794.2918.
