Did you know "Marriage Week" is coming up? The week of Feb. 7 to Feb. 14 has recently been recognized by Governor Sonny Perdue as Marriage Week in the state of Georgia. The purpose of Marriage Week is "to re-affirm the sanctity of marriage, celebrate healthy marriages, and educate the community on the many benefits of marriage." It also aims to give couples the opportunity to use a variety of available resources to prepare them for marriage, and to build and strengthen existing marriages.

Committed 2 You, a non-profit grassroots community organization based in Conyers, is a partner of the Marriage Week initiative. "We are promoting National Marriage Week because we just want to make people aware of it," said the executive director of Committed 2 You, Viola January. Another partner is the MATURE Project at Rockdale Medical Center, which has collaborated with Georgia Family Council and North Atlanta Family Network.

You can nominate a couple to the Marriage Week "Gold Medal Couples Hall of Fame," aimed at recognizing the importance and significance of marriage. Deadline for nomination submissions is Sunday, Feb. 7. For more information visit www.marriageweekga.com or call 404-513-0917. Other marriage week events include: Statewide launch of Date Nights - Saturday, Feb. 6; community worship service - Sunday, Feb. 7; classes, workshops, and seminars; signing of community marriage covenants; community vow renewal ceremonies. For more information go to www.georgiamarriageweek.com.