What happens when a completely casual, timeline-free relationship ends up being the exact foundation you need for a marriage that spans over a decade?On this episode of the Anniversary Podcast, Mary sits down with Kala and Kaitlyn Friel to talk about a love story rooted in goofy friendship, spontaneous road trips, and learning how to look out for each other's emotional cues. From a hilariously one-sided first date sparked by a misplaced text message to an ultimatum that turned a looming LDS mission into a midnight marriage proposal, their journey is a refreshing look at what happens when you refuse to take life too seriously.Kala and Kaitlyn open up about transitioning from stable corporate careers to full-time entrepreneurship, building a joint creative space on YouTube, and navigating the reality of being total opposites. They share the mechanics of how they keep their 13-year marriage fresh—from explicitly stating their expectations instead of assuming mind-reading, to actively translating each other's love languages, to learning how a timely apology can bridge the gap between an analytical "bottler" and an intuitive, harmony-seeking thinker.This episode is about setting your partner up to win, rejecting the pressure to hit traditional relationship milestones on someone else's timeline, and intentionally designing a life focused on funding the fun rather than stacking the money.Plus, Kala and Kaitlyn talk about their signature ABC Dating Series and share a brilliant 10-minute, 10-dollar grocery challenge that any couple can use to inject some immediate spontaneity into their routine.Follow & connect with Kala and Kaitlyn:🎥 YouTube Channel• The Friel Family🎙️ Podcast• The Vibe Providers PodcastConnect with Mary and The Anniversary Podcast here:Personal Instagram: @maclwardPodcast Instagram: @theanniversarypod

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What happens when the person you never truly got over walks back into your life 15 years later?On this episode of the Anniversary Podcast, Mary sits down with Justice and Steph Goodwin to talk about a love story that spans three decades, heartbreak, blended families, second chances, and choosing each other again and again. From meeting in 1995 when Steph was Justice’s nanny, to separating because of family and religious pressure, to reconnecting years later in a crowded Raiders bar where time seemed to completely disappear, their story feels straight out of a movie.Justice and Steph open up about navigating divorce, raising 10 kids together, building trust in a blended family, surviving custody battles, learning how to communicate through conflict, and why real love is less about perfection and more about showing up for each other every single day. They also share the small everyday moments that make their relationship work — from late-night talks and road trips with no music to somehow craving the exact same tuna melt at the same time.This episode is about trusting your heart, unpacking your baggage with someone who stays, and building a relationship rooted in friendship, respect, and intentional love.Plus, Justice and Steph talk about the unique billiards community they’ve built here in Utah and how they bring some of the best pool players in the world into local spaces through their business.Follow & connect with Justice and Steph:🎱 Ice House ConsultingIce House Consulting🎱 Facebook Pages• Ice House Consulting• Western BCA • Salt Lake City Ultimate Pool League Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/share/g/17jKDNdrQR/Connect with Mary and The Anniversary Podcast herePersonal Instagram @maclwardPodcast Instagram @theanniversarypod

What happens when two people spend years unknowingly crossing paths, only to finally meet at the exact right moment?

On this episode of the Anniversary Podcast, Mary sits down with Christopher and Teinamarrie to talk about the love story that began while volunteering for Utah Pride in 2002 and grew into a 24-year partnership built on honesty, playfulness, and intentional love. From Christopher buying the ring just weeks into dating to late-night conversations about life, healing, and the universe, this episode dives deep into what it means to truly know and choose each other.

They share how their relationship moved past superficial dating almost immediately, why communication and “disconnects” matter more than fighting, and how giving each other space has strengthened their marriage over the years. The conversation also explores soulmates, emotional safety, staying playful in long-term love, and the little rituals that keep connection alive — from music dedications and handwritten notes to blowing kisses in parking lots and saying “I love you” even during hard moments.

This episode is warm, emotional, funny, and deeply reflective. A reminder to us all that love isn’t about perfection, but about building a foundation strong enough to weather every season of life together.

Find Teinamarrie:

Instagram/Facebook: @teinamarrie_treasures

Website: rise.tmtreasures.net

Check out Teinnamarie on Good Things Utah: https://www.abc4.com/gtu/grati-tools-to-help-us-feel-grateful/

Find Christopher:

Website: universalheartministry.com

Connect with Mary and The Anniversary Podcast here

Personal Instagram @maclward

Podcast Instagram @theanniversarypod

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On this episode of the Anniversary Podcast, Mary sits down with Braeden and Madison to talk about building a marriage through heartbreak, entrepreneurship, infertility, and nearly a decade of choosing each other again and again. From meeting on Tinder after a divorce and a broken engagement to eloping just a few months later, their story is honest, vulnerable, and deeply grounded in intentional love. They open up about navigating miscarriages and infertility together, what it means to “lean in” during the hardest seasons of marriage, and how they’ve stayed connected while running businesses side by side. This conversation is full of raw honesty, emotional resilience, and reminders that love isn’t about perfection — it’s about continuing to choose your person, even when life doesn’t go according to plan.

Connect with Venn
Instagram & TikTok @vennsocialapp
Website www.FindMyVenn.com

Connect with Mary and The Anniversary Podcast here
Personal Instagram @maclward
Podcast Instagram @theanniversarypod

More links: linktr.ee/theanniversarypodcast

What happens when you fall in love, get engaged, and start a business all within a year?

On this episode of the Anniversary Podcast, Mary sits down with Madie and Matt, the couple behind The Empty Cup, to talk about building a relationship and a business at the same time. From meeting while Matt was working at Disney and navigating a whirlwind long distance relationship to launching a mobile coffee trailer together in Utah, their story is full of intentionality, humor, communication, and learning how to keep choosing each other even in stressful seasons. They open up about blending very different personalities, showing up for each other through chaos and exhaustion, and why love is less about perfection and more about being willing to grow together.

Connect with Madie and Matt
Instagram @theemptycuput

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Personal Instagram @maclward
Podcast Instagram @theanniversarypod
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What happens when a strong early connection turns into marriage, college life, and growing up all at the same time?

On this episode of the Anniversary Podcast, Mary sits down with Nicole and Taylor to share their story of getting engaged young, navigating missions, school, finances, and very different communication styles, all while learning how to build a life together. They open up about the real work of marriage in your early twenties, from balancing individuality and shared goals to figuring out how to support each other through changing seasons.

Connect with Mary and The Anniversary Podcast here
Personal Instagram @maclward
Podcast Instagram @theanniversarypod
Linktree: linktr.ee/theanniversarypodcast

What happens when the person you can’t stand in high school turns out to be the one you can’t imagine life without?

On this episode of the Anniversary Podcast, Mary sits down with Tabitha and Jeffrey to unpack their unexpected love story that started in seminary classrooms and debate team banter. From first impressions of “loud and annoying” and “grumpy and rude” to slowly realizing there was something deeper underneath it all, their story is full of humor, honesty, and a whole lot of growing up together.

They talk about going from enemies to best friends to lifelong partners, what it looked like to build trust over time, and how their friendship became the foundation of their marriage. They also open up about emotional growth, codependency, learning to slow down, and what it really means to choose each other through every season of life.

Connect with Tabitha
Instagram @tabithawoodward_

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Personal Instagram @maclward
Podcast Instagram @theanniversarypod
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Ever fallen for your best friend and thought, this might ruin everything? On this episode of the Anniversary Podcast, Mary sits down with Ian and Genevieve to talk about what happened when their lifelong friendship turned into something more. From growing up together and navigating different relationships to finally choosing each other, their story is full of timing, trust, and taking a risk on something that already felt like home. They share how they support each other without trying to fix everything, why being 1 percent better matters, and what it looks like to build a relationship rooted in friendship first.

Connect with Genevieve

Instagram @cozzi_color_and_cuts

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Personal Instagram @maclward

Podcast Instagram @theanniversarypod

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What does it really take to build a relationship that lasts, especially when it begins in uncertainty and asks you to take big risks before you feel ready? On this episode of The Anniversary Podcast, Mary sits down with Jonathan and Amy to talk about their journey from coworkers on a video call to building a life together. From dating during COVID and buying a house just eight months in, to cross country moves, a full home renovation, and starting a sourdough pizza business, their story is shaped by doing hard things side by side. They reflect on what it means to live with an “us versus the problem” mindset, stay connected through daily habits, and keep choosing each other through every season.Connect with Jonathan and Amy’s businessInstagram @quailstreetcoWebsite https://quailstreet.coConnect with Mary and The Anniversary Podcast herePersonal Instagram @maclwardPodcast Instagram @theanniversarypodMore links linktr.ee/theanniversarypodcast

What does it really take to build a relationship that lasts, especially when it starts with long distance, emotional baggage, and a whole lot of uncertainty?

This week on The Anniversary Podcast, Mary sits down with Kaitlyn and Tommy to talk about the journey from strangers on a group camping trip to partners preparing for marriage. From motorcycles in the Tetons to late night phone calls, long drives between Salt Lake and St. George, and learning how to communicate through discomfort, their story is full of honesty, growth, and intention.

Together, they open up about navigating trust after toxic relationships, what it actually looks like to choose each other on hard days, and how working in mental health has shaped the way they show up for one another. They share practical tools like their “don’t slip” rule for tough conversations and reflect on how love evolves from fireworks into something steadier, deeper, and more intentional.

This episode is for anyone who has ever questioned whether love should feel easy, struggled with communication, or wondered what it means to truly commit to another person. Kaitlyn and Tommy remind us that love is not just about the highlight moments. It is about choosing the same person again and again, even when it is uncomfortable.

Connect with Mary and The Anniversary Podcast here:
Personal Instagram: @maclward
Podcast Instagram: @theanniversarypod
More links: linktr.ee/theanniversarypodcast