Dear Dr. Buckingham, Thank you in advance for considering my advice question! I'm a 34-year-old woman dating a 35-year-old man. We've been together for 2 years and I'm twiddling my thumbs waiting for 1 of 2 things to occur...either he pops the question and/or we finally move in together. We've spoken about marriage, looked at rings, he's asked my dad for my hand (a year … [Read more...]
Single
Single Mother of 3: Am I Worthy of Enough?
Hi Dr. Buckingham, I am a 33 year old single mom of 3. I've never been married. I have been abstinent for 6 months now and growing spiritually. It seems like I cannot find anyone to connect with. It's so bad to where I do not even have friends. I'm intelligent, hardworking, attractive, love sports, love family and God. Seems like I am the total package huh? Wrong! I've been … [Read more...]
Is Settling the Secret to a Lasting Relationship?
The topic of settling was discussed on a radio show I was listening to last week. In my opinion it depends on what you’re settling for. We all know that no one is perfect and that your ideal mate won’t show up in your life wrapped in a nice and neat package with a bow and have every single thing you are looking for. There will be something your spouse does or doesn’t have as … [Read more...]
Ladies: 3 Signs You May Have Already Met Your Perfect Match and You Don’t Even Know It
Where are all the good men? If you're a smart, successful, marriage-minded sista, and you've found yourself asking that question out of frustration, I have some good news. According to some experts, once a woman turns 30, there's a 70% chance she's already met the love of her life. Your future husband could be a former classmate, co-worker, or someone you bumped into on your … [Read more...]
Why Do 50% of Marriages End in Divorce?
Dear Dr. Buckingham, I am a 30 year old single female who is very interested in getting married, but I am afraid. Most of my friends have been married and divorced at least once or twice. I believe in marriage and know that God created the marriage institution so that man and woman could live in harmony under his commandants. I have heard different reasons why marriage does … [Read more...]
19 Years Old, Single and Curious: What is a Good Age to Get Married?
Dear Dr. Buckingham, I'm 19 years old (not dating), and would like to be married one day. Just out of curiosity, what do you think is a good age for one to get married, and how old do you think is too young? Thank you :) Young and Curious Dear Young and Curious, Thanks for asking such an important, but subjective question. Many people have different views regarding … [Read more...]
3 Warning Signs Someone Is Bread-crumbing You and Isn’t Worth Your Time
Has this ever happened to you? You meet a man (maybe using a dating app) and you have great conversation. He sends you text messages every day and he calls you every night for a week. He then says, "We should get together on Saturday," and he tells you about one of his favorite restaurants and how he'd love to take you there. You say, "it's a date!" But when the weekend rolls … [Read more...]
8 Old School Ways to Meet People
Most singles have a sincere desire to be in a committed monogamous relationship. However connecting with the right person in 2017 can be challenging, especially in the real world. With the number of dating apps available, having someone spend their evenings swiping right to left, and constantly viewing profiles on dating websites can cause Online Dating Fatigue (yes, its a real … [Read more...]
3 Times It’s OK to Let Your Guards Down and Be Vulnerable in a New Relationship
I get it: You're suffering from PTLD (Post Traumatic Love Disorder). You opened your heart. You loved hard. You went all in. And then it happened: You were abandoned. Rejected. Hurt. Disrespected. Heartbroken. You're "over it" now, you've forgiven the other person and you're moving on. But deep inside, you're still struggling to drop your guards when you meet someone new. … [Read more...]
5 Key Areas that Will Prepare Christian Singles for Marriage
You’ve made the decision to trust God regarding your mate, which is wise. But the challenge is that you didn’t think that God would take this long. Like most, you desire companionship, but not at the cost of your sanity, self-esteem or dignity. People would have you to settle, but you know that God has someone just for you. During your time of waiting, God wants to … [Read more...]
Ladies, If You Meet This Kind of “Nice Guy,” Block Him and Run!
Have you ever dated this man? When you first met him, he seemed like the quintessential gentleman (with a touch of swag). He's sweet, showers you with compliments, and communicates with you consistently. But there's a dark side to this "nice guy," and if you stay in a relationship with him, it could lead you to pain. I call him "Mr. Angry Nice Guy," and there are 5 signs to … [Read more...]
A Dozen Great Ways to Keep Your Relationship Fresh
As I reflect on my relationship (which I have been in now for over 16 years, more than a 1/3 of my life), I am so grateful for the fact that it doesn’t feel that long. In fact, the longer we're in it, the better it gets. And as I take a step back to reflect, there are definitely some intentional things that we did that have kept us both happy, fulfilled, and feeling like the … [Read more...]
3 Ways To Deal With the Pressure to Get Married Without Losing Your Mind
"I just came here to find a husband." That's the sign Ayana Evans wore to a party she attended a few years ago. The picture she posted on her Instagram, shows her standing on the balcony, scanning the crowd below, with a sign taped on her back. One might think she was being desperate or thirsty by being blunt about her purpose for showing up. But in an interview with The … [Read more...]
What Kind of Mentality Should I Look for in My Future Spouse?
Dear Dr. Buckingham, My guy friend often tells me that he is for me and has my back. Usually I am a good read of character, but for some reason I cannot figure him out. He acts a little self-centered at times so I am not sure that he is ready to be in a committed relationship. I say this because he likes to do things for and by himself. However, he is smart, has great … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Get Out of Your Dating Dry Spell
According to Neil Clark Warren, the founder of the dating site eHarmony, over 50% of all singles in America have not had a date in more than two years. Based on my work as a dating coach, I've discovered that many singles aren't actively dating because they don't want to appear desperate or "thirsty." But when you go years without so much as a coffee date, you're the one … [Read more...]