In this episode of the Impact Marriage Podcast, hosts Allan and Nicole Blain share the first part of their love story, delving into their childhoods and the experiences that shaped their perspectives on marriage. They discuss the importance of understanding one's backstory in the context of relationships, highlighting how their unique upbringings influenced their views on faith, family, and personal growth. The episode culminates in their meeting during college, setting the stage for the next part of their story.

Who are we?

We’re Allan and Nicole Blain — college sweethearts, now married 33 years, parents of six amazing grown kids, and co-leaders of a thriving, purpose-driven business and ministry. We met as student-athletes — she played volleyball, I played baseball — just five days after Nicole’s 19th birthday. We were married one year later, five days after her 20th, on September 12, 1992.

Connect with us:

Website AllanAndNicole.com

Instagram @ImpactMarriagePodcast

YouTube @ImpactMarriagePodcast

TikTok @ImpactMarriagePodcast

Order Allan's book "Life's Hard Succeed Anyway”

Sound Bites:

• "We all come with a past."
• "Sports saved me."
• "I want a bodyguard!"

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to the Impact Marriage Podcast
• 01:24 The Importance of Backstory in Marriage
• 01:47 Allan's Childhood and Upbringing
• 06:31 Nicole's Childhood and Family Dynamics
• 12:05 The Role of Sports and Freedom in Their Lives
• 15:12 Meeting in College: The Beginning of Their Love Story
• 28:04 The Complexity of Faith and Relationships

Takeaways:

• The importance of sharing personal backstories in marriage.
• Everyone comes into marriage with different experiences and 'baggage'.
• Childhood experiences shape our perspectives on relationships.
• Allan grew up in a strict, legalistic church environment.
• Nicole's upbringing was marked by freedom and a lack of parental guidance.
• Sports played a significant role in both Allan and Nicole's lives.
• Meeting in college was a pivotal moment in their relationship.
• Faith and personal beliefs can complicate relationships.
• Understanding each other's backgrounds fosters deeper connections.
• The journey of faith is ongoing and can evolve over time.

Keywords:

marriage, love story, childhood, family dynamics, faith, relationships, sports, upbringing, podcast, personal growth