When you’re married to a partner who finds it difficult to open up and communicate with you, you have to get creative. Verbally expressing what you’re feeling, what you need, and what matters most to you, doesn’t come naturally for everyone. So, while you can’t force your spouse to open up and talk to you about anything, you can encourage them by introducing activities and a … [Read more...]
Should Couples Fix Communication Issues While in Quarantine or Later with Professional Help?
Communication is an essential key to a successful marriage. Couples must have the ability to sit down and listen to each other even if the topic is terrible. However, this is easier said than done. In some cases, couples can resolve issues on their own. Some decide to pray together, spend more time together, or even decide to make love more often. As we are ordered to stay … [Read more...]
5 Signs You Should Never Ignore When Something Doesn’t Feel Right in Your Marriage
Do you ever get this feeling in your gut that things just aren’t right? We all get that feeling. Sometimes it’s a result of evidence we’ve compiled, and sometimes we can’t determine the root. Either way, the feeling is there, and it’s strong: something doesn't feel right in my marriage. 5 Signs You Should Never Ignore When Something Doesn’t Feel Right in Your Marriage In this … [Read more...]
Single, Dating, and Waiting Till Marriage: 4 Tips to Help You Abstain
If you’re single and trying to keep the golden door closed, you may often find yourself grappling for insight on how to stay on track with that goal. My husband and I dated for over two years and were proud to have made it to the altar without dipping in each other’s cookie jars! Waiting till marriage wasn’t easy, but we believed that it was certainly possible. In this … [Read more...]
Practice These 5 Communication Levels to Boost the Intimacy in Your Marriage
We know communication is vital to any relationship. Communication is the heart of the human connection. It can be verbal, or it can be nonverbal. Either way, rest assured, communication exists whether you are saying anything or not. It is the pathway by which we get to know one another better. Our likes and dislikes, joys and sorrows, similarities and differences are all shared … [Read more...]
Step Family Life: 5 Very Real Concerns of a Biological Mother
When my husband proposed to me, I was elated. He was finally going to put a ring on it after six months of dating. This was in 1999, so I realize this may seem odd. However, I knew in my heart that he was my husband and I told him this. I am also a mom of a beautiful six-year-old daughter, Gabrielle(Gab). She is my everything. Her father wasn’t in her life and wasn't even … [Read more...]
18 Ways to Prevent Falling Out of Love
Falling in love is easy. It’s the staying in love part that is difficult. The emotions involved with falling in love can make you feel like you’re on top of the world. However, that giddy, heart-skipping-a-beat sort of love doesn’t last forever. Without taking steps to acquire a mature love, you can find yourself falling out of love just as easily as you fell in. 18 Ways to … [Read more...]
3 Ways to Win Every Disagreement in Your Marriage
When you have a disagreement in your marriage, you should have one goal and one goal only, to win! Yes, after the dust settles you should be able to feel like "this was a clear victory." I'm sure somebody has told you otherwise. Clearly, chalking up a "W" at the end of a disagreement with your spouse is not what your intent is supposed to be. After listening to our marriage … [Read more...]
He Won’t Take Me Out: 4 Ways to Solve the Date Night Dilemma
After weeks of feeling frustrated about my husband not taking me out on dates, I decided to do something about it. My problem was that I didn’t quite know how to approach it without nagging him, while also clearly communicating the depth of my feelings. I wanted him to know that date night is important to me. I took some time to think it through and found a way to handle it … [Read more...]
21 Conversation Starters to Help Couples Struggling to Communicate
The relationship between my wife and I was a long distance one for our entire courting and engagement season. There is good news and bad news about being in a long distance relationship. The good news is you are forced to learn how to communicate. The bad news is you only see each other every so often. But, because of the distance, conversation starters came somewhat easy. I … [Read more...]
6 Practices of a Marriage That Runs Like a Well-Oiled Machine
When I hear the phrase "well-oiled machine" I think of something smooth and efficient with little to no defect. But I also know it earned its reputation as a result of a lot of hard work by everyone involved with bringing the product to market. Take a BMW for instance. No matter the series, a BMW is a much-coveted vehicle that has set the standard for many others. But it didn't … [Read more...]
3 Reasons Openness Can Change the Course of Your Marriage
The longer I am married, going on 17 years now, the more I am convinced that tying the knot is not meant for the weak at heart or the weak minded. A good marriage takes the kind of work that requires each individual to be all in...for life. Ask anyone who's been successfully married for a while and they will tell you that communication is the driving force behind their … [Read more...]
At Last! The Secret To A Happy Marriage Is Revealed
I was at a restaurant not too long ago and saw an older couple. Maybe in their late 70s or early 80s, there was an air of serenity about them that bespoke decades of life and love together. They ate in comfortable silence, but somehow I just felt they were conveying something beyond words. As they walked out holding hands, I couldn't help but wonder. What's their secret? We … [Read more...]
Are You Prepared? These 4 Things Can Make or Break Your Marriage
My 13 year old son recently asked me a question that many of you are probably familiar with. It's the good old, "If you fill a glass half full of water, is the glass half full or half empty?" Naturally, I responded with the very wise, adult answer of, "well, it depends on your perspective." His response was, "No Mommy. It's completely full. It's half full of water and half full … [Read more...]
4 Healthy Ways to Change Your Marriage in 2018
Well, 2017 is almost outta here! It's been one heck of a year. When it comes to a fulfilling relationship with your spouse, 2017 either knocked your socks off or left you wanting. If you're one of the lucky ones, you and your spouse took on the world like Bonnie and Clyde. You were in this life together. Your relationship was untouchable and everyone around you knew it. Your … [Read more...]