Anniversaries are super special in my house. I would never have imagined being married to my husband for eighteen years. Real talk, my parents didn't even think my husband Don and I would remain married past the first six months. They expressed this to us more times than I can count. Why would my parents think this, let alone have the nerve to verbalize this to us? Well, the … [Read more...]
5 Straightforward Steps to Becoming a Better Wife
I think we are all a work in progress. Anyone who isn’t trying to make improvements, daily, is pretty self-absorbed if you ask me. After all, none of us are perfect. Now, I’m not suggesting that you shouldn’t be happy with who you are. I happen to love myself. But I also know that I am flawed. I make mistakes every day. But I want to do better. I want to be a better mom … [Read more...]
9 Scriptures that Keep You From Harming Your Spouse with Your Words
Sometimes you need to give your spouse the silent treatment. I know this sounds weird and contradictory, so let me explain. I’m talking about speaking life. And when you can’t speak life, that’s the time to use the silent treatment. My mom (and maybe your mom too) used to say, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” Well that saying still holds true … [Read more...]
Seven Strategies that Saved My Marriage
I’m going to be totally honest with you: sometimes, I am annoyed when folks say they want a marriage like mine and Don’s. What they don’t know is that we experienced many ups and downs in our marriage. The 'downs' seemed to last forever. We’ve experienced the difficulties of blending a family, numerous periods of unemployment, a child going to jail, alcoholism and an emotional … [Read more...]
3 Ways to Make Your Spouse Feel Like They Are Your Top Priority
Have you ever heard this from your spouse – “how is it that when I ask you to do something it takes forever? But when your friends ask you to do something, you move right away.” Or, how about this one, “When your friend calls, you are on the phone talking and laughing. But when I try to talk with you, you have nothing to say.” Your spouse is crying out. What they are … [Read more...]
Slay for Bae: 7 Quick and Easy Tips on How to Remain His Eye Candy
What happens when your look no longer matches his vision? And before I get started, let’s just be clear that this can go in either direction. Your husband’s physical appearance may no longer match the vision you had for the man of your dreams either. So let’s talk about reality for a minute. When you first got married you were both looking good every time you stepped out … [Read more...]
Sneaking Around with Benjamin and Grant Again? Financial Infidelity is Still Cheating
Yeah, you've been hitting the town with Benjamin and his friends again, hoping your husband doesn't find out. No, you're not having several sordid, lustful affairs with some guys named Benjamin, Grant, Jackson and Lincoln. The characters in question are the namesakes of the bills you keep secretly withdrawing from your savings without your husband's knowledge. Your sneaking … [Read more...]
Work It Until It’s Wonderful; Ending the Myth of the White Picket Fence Theory
Marriage is wonderful, and it can resemble the legendary white picket fence lifestyle. However, the lie of it all is that it just happens. Two people get together and because they are madly in love, the fantasy is that they will get married and live happily ever after. It just doesn’t work that way. Folks who believe this lie are devastated when “madly in love” becomes “I … [Read more...]
Don’t Go to Bed Angry – Your Marriage Can’t Take It
Did your parents ever tell you not to go to bed angry? My mother instilled this in me. Whether an old wives’ tale or a biblical adage, there is something to it. Every couple has disagreements but you don’t have to go to bed angry. It took me years to realize this. Sure I knew the saying but that doesn’t mean I followed it. It can be a challenge to get yourself together in … [Read more...]
5 Things Your Wife Needs More Than Your “I Love You”
I know my husband loves me. If I weren’t sure about that, I never would have said, “I do.” He made his love for me clear long before our wedding day. And even though I am clear about how he feels, it’s still nice to hear it from time to time. A sweet reminder always makes me smile. But as nice as it is to hear, saying “I love you” can’t be the only way my husband expresses … [Read more...]
3 Ways to Teach Your Kids to Love the Right Way
When I think back to the beginning of my marriage, I think of all the wrong ways I didn't know how to love my husband. I can't help but wonder where that thinking came from. I know we usually express or teach from the very same ideas we were originally taught or from the hard lessons we learned in life. But I don't want my own children to have to try and figure things out … [Read more...]
Rocking Out with LaShawn and April Daniels of the Tamar & Vince Show
I recently had the pleasure of chatting it up with the always real, down-to-earth LaShawn and April Daniels, co-stars of the Tamar & Vince show. When I was new to the blogging scene, they were one of the first celebrity couples I interviewed here on this website. I immediately became a superfan and loved what they stood for. I adored how they showed the world that there … [Read more...]
5 Reasons Why Focusing on Your Health Can Improve Your Marriage
I firmly believe in the power of taking a holistic approach to living a happier life. I think if one area of your life is way out of balance, it inevitably impacts the other areas of your life in ways you wouldn’t even imagine. That said, your health is probably the area of your life that impacts everything else the most. From your ability to be successful in business, to … [Read more...]
Being Mary Jane Provides Singles with 4 Steps to Drama Free Relationships
The hashtag for this week's episode of Being Mary Jane was #BMJFinale but it should have been #NoMoreDrama for when enough is enough. Speaking of which, when do you say enough is enough? When do you fight for your happiness and not the acceptance of others? When do you allow yourself to say the truth in love to those around you and not feel guilty? When do you put … [Read more...]
On the Brink: 3 Undeniable Signs You’re in Desperate Need of Marriage Counseling
Marriage can be one of the greatest joys of your life. When done well, coming home each day brings a smile to your face. That being said, most married folks hit upon rocky times, a point where you don’t see eye to eye and getting along is a challenge. It’s normal to have disagreements. It’s not normal to stay there, in a place of discontent with one another. If the three … [Read more...]