Brian and Kelli Barton

Happy Birthday to President Barton today! The first time I met the Bartons we sat with them at a luncheon. My husband already knew them, so their reputation proceeded them as warm, friendly and personable people. It was all true! In our conversation, I loved how Brian focused on Kelli; praised her, adored her, and cared for her. I feel like that trait has remained the same since that luncheon! Brian and Kelli know how successful teams operate, and that's evidenced in their marriage!

The dates and details!

What are your names? 

Brian and Kelli Barton

When did you meet?

1993

In 8 words or less, describe where or how you met. 

Went to high school together

What was your first date? 

We don’t remember. He says a party, I say a movie at my house 😂

When were you married? 

9/06/1996

Where were you married? 

Manti Temple

How many children do you share? 

3

Getting to Know You!

What is something that your spouse does (something they may not even realize!) that makes your heart skip a beat and brings you joy.

He supports me 100% with my crazy drill team life. He genuinely cares about my hobby. He’s my go-to whenever I need any advice about how to handle problems that come up. He always has the answer and I love that I have a built in therapist whenever I need one.

What did you love about your spouse in the beginning that you still love about them now? He made me laugh them and he still makes me laugh now. We make fun of each other all the time (in a nice way) and love to tease and joke around.

Other than your children, what is an accomplishment you are your spouse are proud of?

We’ve worked hard to get where we are today. In our first years of being married, we sacrificed a lot for Brian to get his schooling. It was tough but we are so happy we did it.

Why Marriage Rocks

What's one thing you love to talk about when you have nothing pressing to talk about?

Our boys. Definitely our boys. The way they make us laugh. The things they do that make us proud. Or not so proud haha. There is only one other person in the world that will ever want to talk about your kids as much as you, and that is your spouse.

Tell us about a trial you have faced together and how you feel you were successful in overcoming it, or what you have learned during it.

I have had some health issues with my heart over the years and there were times going through it where I was extremely scared and a little frantic. Brian was there to provide a calming and logical perspective. I needed to hear that everything was going to be ok a lot and I’m grateful he was able to do that. We both learned to have faith and rely on the Lord during hard times.

What miracles have you experienced together?

No major miracles. We’ve just tried to be consistent and to serve others. We have tried to live the gospel. We have tried to raise the boys best way we can. And to not shy away from doing hard things.

Advice

What's a practice or routine you've established that keeps your marriage healthy?

We go to lunch together a LOT. It’s the time of the day we have had where we didn’t have ballgames to be at or church callings to take care of so we try to take advantage of this time together. It works best for our schedule.

What's one principle you think is important in a healthy marriage?

Having Empathy. Putting yourself in your spouses shoes and thinking about what they are going through is so important.

If you had time to talk to newlyweds, what would your greatest piece of advice be?

If you make the gospel the center of your marriage and your personal life, everything else works. The most important things will naturally raise to the top of your priority list and the unimportant things will become less important.

"Marriage is the foundry for social order, the fountain of virtue, and the foundation for eternal exaltation. Marriage has been divinely designated as an eternal and everlasting covenant. Marriage is sanctified when it is cherished and honored in holiness. That union is not merely between husband and wife; it embraces a partnership with God. “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other.”...Families may become as eternal as the kingdom of God itself" (Russell M. Nelson, Nurturing Marriage, 2006).