Hard work: The secret behind a 22-year marital success story

photo by Bryner Photography

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Mark and Alayne Carrillo

PRICE - Marriage can be challenging but at the same time very rewarding.

Mark and Alayne Carrillo are a very good example of what working as a team, with respect and admiration, can do to strengthen the marriage.

This couple was interviewed for the 1988 Intermountain Catholic marriage edition, in which they talked about how they met and why they decided to get married on July 16 of that year. Now, with two kids and their marriage stronger than ever, they share their life experiences.

"Nowadays you see fewer and fewer couples that stay married longer; it seems easiest to call it quits when things get difficult," said Alayne. "Your marriage gets stronger when you go through the difficult times."

They met on a tennis court where Mark used to teach, but it was not until they were together in church that they started talking.

Faith has been the center of their success because it is "your faith what makes you go through difficult times," said Mark.

The Carrillos have always been very active in their parish (Notre Dame de Lourdes). "We have been very religious; Alayne and I have been lectors in our church," said Mark, adding that "Church has always been a focus to us; we have been blessed."

While every couple has challenges in their relationships, "Being a Catholic has helped us overcome the challenge," said Alayne. "It's your faith that makes you know things will get better."

As a result of their love they now have two sons, one 10 years old and the 20 months old, which keep them busy and happy.

"Thanks to our marriage we have two beautiful kids," said Mark.

"We were actually together 11 years before having the first child, people thought we couldn't have children," said Alayne.

Admiration has also been a very important ingredient in this marriage success recipe.

"He is a very good provider; he is a very loving person, a very loving husband and parent to his sons and is a great supporter to me," said Alayne, "even though I challenge him with things that probably I should not but I do it anyways."

"She is very supportive; she is a good mother and we work very well together and we almost think alike," said Mark; to which Alayne responded with a laugh, "Sometimes that's scary."

They have and will stay together because they as a family work very hard together as a team and, as Mark said, "in this case behind every strong man there is a good woman, and I am very fortunate to have a good woman that stands behind me."