DATE NIGHT
Couple releases 10th book on relationship advice
For the past 25 years an Alma couple has travelled the world dispensing advice on how to sustain long lasting relationships.
But Jay and Laura Laffoon do much more than simply talk. They are also prolific authors recently releasing their 10th book, “Ultimate Date Night: 52 Amazing Dates for Busy Couples.”
“Ultimate Date Night is a romantic keepsake devotional offering 52 fun and memorable date ideas to draw you closer to each other and God,” Jay Laffoon explained.
The 144-page book features unique dating experiences varying in cost, romance and effort; funny stories, creative conversation starters, playful dares, games and challenges; heartfelt prayers and inspiring scriptures, he added.
The Laffoons have been married for 36 years, after first meeting on a blind date in 1984.
Jay, who is originally from Petoskey, has college degrees in Biblical literature and music, while Laura, a Georgia native, earned her degree in social ministries.
The couple formed Celebrate Min
istries in 1995. Since then they have traveled to more than 40 states and 15 counties hosting relationship seminars and workshops for thousands of attendees.
“We have three events that we offer,” Jay said. “Celebrate Your Marriage Conference is a two- day, one night conference at a destination hotel. We’ve done 133 of these over the years including 90 at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.”
They also partner with churches for weekend “Celebrate Your Marriage Workshops,” which they do two to four times a year, and their popular “Ultimate Date Night” events that features “90 minutes of music, comedy and fun for couples.”
“We do approximately 40 of these a year.” Jay noted.
The Laffoon have lived in Alma since 1987. Both have previously served on the staff at Central Michigan Youth for Christ, and more recently coordinated the Marriage and Family Care Ministry at the Mt. Pleasant Community Church.
“We love Alma,” Jay said. “We could do our job from anywhere but we simply love living here.”
The couple has two children, daughter Grace, and son Torrey and his wife Shana, who blessed the Laffoons with their first grandchild, Graelyn Marie Laffoon, in May.
They founded Celebrate Ministries based on the Biblical passage from John 10:10, which states: “I have come that they might have life and have it to the full.”
“Sounds like a party to us and that means a celebration,” Jay said. “We help busy couples stay happily married for life.”
The Laffoons also have a radio show and conduct online webinars and classes.
And if that’s not enough they partner with Compassion International and Prison
Fellowship International to help children of inmates in third world countries, and work with Thrivent Financial to assist couples manage their money.
Their new book, produced by Broadstreet Publishing, sells for $16.99 and is available on Amazon or at Barnes and Noble.
The couple also has a website, www.jayandlaura. com, and can be found on Youtube, Twitter and Facebook.