In my work in the technology field, we had an exercise we called, “Start, Stop, Continue.” The premise was for individuals to work with their supervisor or manager to decide what they needed to start doing which would enhance their work, what could they stop doing as it relates to the job and what they agreed the employee should continue doing as a best practice. Since I … [Read more...]
Couples Spotlight: Christopher & Christina Billingsley (Best Anniversary Video)
You may remember this couple from the "Best Anniversary Video of 2013" that we recently shared on the site. Well, we wanted to get a chance to know the love story behind the couple. Be sure to check out their video if you haven’t already. They celebrated seven years of marriage this past September and have two kids (a girl and boy), ages six and eighteen months. This couple … [Read more...]
Couples Spotlight: John and Tammy Wright, Owners ABC Wellness and Fitness Center
John and Tammy Wright are a dynamic fitness military couple who founded ABC Wellness and Fitness Center in Waldorf, MD in 2009. They’ve been married ten years and have two boys, ages seven and six. While Tammy (who holds a Master’s in information resource management) is “behind the scenes” and heads the overall strategic planning of the business, John (who is a certified … [Read more...]
Confessions of a Runaway Bride: 6 Signs That You Have No Business Agreeing to Marry Him
The man that a woman decides to marry is one of the most important decisions that she could ever make. Speaking from personal experience, I almost married the wrong man when I was twenty-four. He was a friend of my godfather and we met in karate class. After seeing each other for a couple of months, he asked me to marry him. I said yes. My mom loved him because he was older, … [Read more...]
Letting Go and Letting Dad!
Question to the Moms: Is it just me or do you sometimes feel nervous when you leave the kids ALONE with Dad? I can't be the only one....I'm guilty of subconsciously (and sometimes consciously) thinking that my intelligent, capable, lovable and attentive husband can't fully take care of his own kids when I'm not around. WHY? There are several answers, some of which I will share, … [Read more...]
Couples Spotlight: Mike and Henrietta Jones
I love hearing other peoples' love stories and their thoughts and tips on what makes their marriages work. This week's spotlight couple has been together since their sophomore year of high school. Henrietta is a graduate of Morris College in Sumter, SC with a Political Science Degree, and works as an administrator assistant. Her husband, Mike is a graduate of Lees-McRae College … [Read more...]
Couples Spotlight: Stephon and Pamela King, Sr.
Anyone who is married and has been married for any length of time, knows it takes work, dedication and a lot of times, creativity to keep that love going and growing. This is why I love these couple spotlights because there are so many different things to learn and incorporate into my own marriage (and I'm sure, yours too), as one size does not fit all. Meet Stephon & … [Read more...]
Is Your Mr. Right Also Mr. (Financially) Responsible?
Have you met a really nice guy? Smart, handsome, and adventurous. Congratulations! But before you start naming your children and picking out china, please be sure that this potential Mr. Right is also Mr. (financially) Responsible. How a man handles his current financial obligations and responsibilities is a key indicator of how he will handle money once you decide to commit … [Read more...]
A Positive Image of Marriage: Pictures From Our Readers
In celebration of Black Marriage Week we invited you, our extended BMWK family, to send us photos of you and your spouses so that we could feature them on our Facebook page. In addition to sharing your photos some of you shared a portion of your story --- how your relationship started and even imparted some wisdom for your Facebook family. Your participation was exciting and we … [Read more...]
Couples Spotlight: Marlon & Rashida Cohen
Marlon and Rashida met at church during a youth ministry meeting. She needed a ride home that night, he offered (it was late and raining), and the rest is history. They quickly became friends through different ministries in the church and have been married for almost seven years. Marlon has a background in sales and marketing, and Rashida is a Chiropractic Doctor who … [Read more...]
Couples Spotlight: Ainsley & Rachael Gibson
Rachael and Ainsley are our spotlight couple this week, both born and raised in Jamaica, currently residing in Maryland. This couple shares with us their experience getting married as a young couple, learning how to raise their kids in a completely different culture than what they’re accustomed to, managing busy professional careers, and the things that have helped keep their … [Read more...]
Interview with Nisa Muhammad, Founder of Black Marriage Day
Did you know that the black community has the distinction of the lowest marriage rate in America? Sixty-one percent of Black people were married in 1960, compared with the rate of thirty percent today. This is one reason that Black Marriage Day (BMD) was founded by Nisa Islam Muhammad, and is headquartered in the nation’s capital, Washington, DC. BMD is a national initiative … [Read more...]
8-Year-Old Boy Marries 61-Year-Old Woman to Honor Deceased Grandfather
At some point we all will or already have experienced pressure from family members to tie the knot, but you ultimately do it on your own time, right? In some cases, we actually want to do so, but the circumstances just aren't quite right. We haven't met the right one...finances are not right...There are tons of issues that keep us from the alter. For others, there is NOTHING … [Read more...]
Unconditional Love…The Love in Spite of
Do you know what it's like to love someone unconditionally? Better yet, besides your parents or children, do you know what it feels like to BE loved unconditionally? Someone who has seen you at your lowest of lows and passes no judgment. They love you, "in spite of." I know a love like this and I find it incredibly amazing to be loved by someone who sees you and loves you for … [Read more...]
Couples Spotlight: Anjuan & Aneika Simmons
If for any minute you doubt that there are truly happily married people out there, here is yet another beautiful couple to inspire you in your own marriage (or future marriage). Anjuan and Aneika met in college at the University of Texas at Austin. He studied Electrical Engineering, and she studied Management Information Systems. Although their college romance ended up not … [Read more...]