I married my best friend. Not everyone gets to say that so I'm grateful. At the time my now husband proposed, we'd been dating for a year and a half. We got married four months after he popped the question. We didn't need anything too fancy, or pricey. Rather than simply prepare for a wedding together, we prepared for a lifetime together. That's what marrying your best friend … [Read more...]
Husbands: 5 Ways to R-E-S-P-E-C-T Your Wife
In a recent article, I offered up five ways a wife can show respect to her husband. Well, now, it's the men's turn. As it stands, respect is a two-way street. However, the respect from man to woman has somewhat of a different feel. As previously quoted from Ephesians 5:33, a husband "must love his wife as he loves himself." When you say to a man "respect your wife," you're … [Read more...]
5 Crucial Communication Tips to Achieve Oneness in Your Marriage
I don’t know how many times this has happened. My husband will be talking with someone and suddenly find himself at a loss for words. He knows what he wants to say, but he’s not quite sure how to say it. Then, I will pipe in and finish the thought, phrase, or sentence for him. We look at each other, nodding in agreement that we’re both on the same page. Some who don't know us … [Read more...]
5 Signs That Your New Man Doesn’t Value Your Time
When it comes to our work, we can be so protective of our time. After all, time is money and we don’t want anyone messing with our money, right? I get it. I am about my business, too, and I hate having my time wasted. But the thing is, if women can be bosses when it comes to valuing our time in business, then why do so many of us allow men to waste our time when dating? … [Read more...]
3 Things You Should Never Ever Say to Your Husband
After 8 years of marriage and more than 20 years of friendship, my husband and I have had our share of ups and downs. We have a good thing going, but neither of us is perfect. We’ve each made mistakes, for sure. And what keeps us together and happy is not just how we manage things when mistakes occur, but It’s also how we treat each other at all times. I always knew that I … [Read more...]
So You Have a New Stepfamily, 4 Things You Should Not Expect Right Away
I have to be extremely honest. I didn't know what to expect when bringing together a blended family. Blending different factions (especially when there are so many differences between the family members) is no easy feat. As husband and wife, you are each raised differently; as well, you have raised your children differently. Expectations around things like homework and … [Read more...]
Here’s the Real Reason Why Your Partner Doesn’t Treat You Well
One of the most important lessons we want our kids to know is that you teach people how to treat you. It sounds so simple, but it’s so true. The interactions we have during those first few dates is what sets the tone for what we will allow in our lives and what we have no interest in dealing with. And when we aren’t treated well in life, we tend to point all our fingers at … [Read more...]
5 Critical Choices You Need to Make Daily to Have a Marriage That Lasts a Lifetime
I don't take for granted that I have a fulfilling, happy and amazing relationship with my husband. Is everything perfect? Of course not. But everything is perfect for us and our relationship. Over the decade that we've been married, we've seen a lot of marriages fail. And every time, we hear of another failed marriage, it leads us to dialogue about our own marriage. We bring … [Read more...]
4 Reasons You Probably Need to Reset Your Marriage to its Default Settings
Does it seem like your marriage is off track and not where it should be? Do you feel like there is no communication? Do things just not feel right in your marriage? Sounds like you need to reset it to its default settings. What is the default settings? Glad you asked. Do you recall a time that your computer or laptop starts acting funky, and you don’t know what’s wrong … [Read more...]
Marriage is for Grown-Ups. 5 Childish Behaviors You Should Stop Now
There will come a time in your marriage when you will find some behaviors unnecessary and maybe even a little crazy. For me personally, my husband and I are at the point where we refuse to argue over small stuff. We’ve reached the place in our marriage where we know how to avoid an argument because, well, we just don’t feel like arguing and would rather use that time for … [Read more...]
3 Distinguishing Qualities of a Faithful Man and How to Spot a Cheater
Can a man be faithful when he has the option to lay in "greener pastures?" Really think about that for a moment. The statement above, if true, would seem to prove otherwise. All men have the option to cheat. Whether or not a man cheats has little do with availability. It has everything to do with the character of that man. To be, or not to be faithful are both individual … [Read more...]
3 Reasons Why You May Not Be Getting the Respect You Want From Your Wife
I’ve been married for over seven years. And though that's not an eternity, it's long enough for me to be grateful that I still feel like I married the right guy. He still gets me. He still makes me laugh. He still supports my dreams. He still provides for us. I think I did pretty well. I respect my husband, not just because he’s my husband and I love him, but also because … [Read more...]
3 Signs You’re Being Disrespectful or Just Straight Up Mean to the Man You Love
I can dish out some attitude and quite a bit of lip if I feel like it’s necessary. And sure, I can blame it on being born and raised in Brooklyn, New York; but I know darn well I would still be me if I was born and raised in Kentucky. I am who I am. What has served me well in life, however, is not my sassy attitude, but rather my ability to know when to turn it … [Read more...]
Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lady, Attract a Gentleman
Merriam-Webster defines lady as: a woman of refinement and gentle manners. That might seem like an old-fashioned way to describe yourself, but isn’t that what you would like to be called? I hate hearing women refer to themselves as the “b” word or even “hoe”. We have to do better if we want better. If you want a man in your life and are willing to accept one that refers to … [Read more...]
Singles: How to Know When to Draw the Line on Your Relationship
This one is for singles out there who continue to run into challenges during the dating process when it comes to deciding what is tolerable for their particular relationship. None of us are perfect, so I’m not addressing each imperfection. But, it’s imperative to strive to be the best significant other we can be as we are working toward marriage. I continue to hear others … [Read more...]