The impact of Paradise: St John Couples Retreat 2016

par·a·dise

perəˌdīs/

noun an ideal or idyllic place or state.

Little Pink Houses of Hope was thrilled to go back for the 4th year in a row to St. John for the 2016 Couples Retreat. The island welcomes the couples into a complete paradise with support and love. Paradise existed everywhere you turned- there were beautiful flowers, amazing sunsets, turquoise blue waters, and luxury villas. But if you looked closely this past week, paradise was clearly evident through the glances between couples, the chance to hold hands again and stroll along the beach, or try something brand new. What was missing was the heavy burden of breast cancer.

One couple put it best with their response to the question, “How has this week impacted you as a couple?

“Maybe the more accurate question is, “How have I NOT been impacted?!” — This experience touched every aspect of my life in the following ways: Physical – a much-needed, stress-free vacation for me AND my husband; Emotional – a chance to show my husband how much I appreciate his unending support; Mental – an opportunity to draw courage and inspiration from other participants (and hopefully be a source of the same for them) and a time to feel truly free and not self-conscious about the physical impact cancer has had on my body; and probably most importantly, Spiritual – a reminder that the POWER of truly GOOD, SELFLESS, and KIND individuals can be unstoppable! LPHOH continues to prove this in spades! — After being with the other couples, Little Pink staff and volunteers for only one week, my husband and I feel like we have known them all forever! Our hearts have been filled to the point of overflowing with love and compassion, and a fire has been sparked in us!

Grande Bay Resort is the Premier Sponsor for the trip, housing all of our couples in their luxury accommodations. The couples got to experience paradise as they sauntered off on an island taxi tour, stand up paddled, spent the day at an amazing villa, snorkeled, relaxed on a sunset cruise and ate at all of the best restaurants on the island.

Couples attended from all over the United States- Alabama, Maryland, Indiana, Utah, Massachusetts, Washington DC, Ohio, and Nebraska! If you would like to apply for an upcoming retreat, please visit www.littlepink.org. Applications are open through July 1, 2016.