This time of year, I tend to get a little lazy. The weather starts to get cold, and so does my desire to go to the gym. But working out is essential to building a strong and healthy body. I know it. Everybody knows it. Building a strong marriage is no different. Putting in the work is essential if you want a strong and healthy marriage. But unlike a trip to the gym, you have to … [Read more...]
3 Things You Need to Do if You Want Your Marriage to Have a Fighting Chance
Sometimes, my husband gets on my last nerve. I don’t care how wonderful I think he is (and he is wonderful), he is human. He has the capacity to work my nerves. But I’m no fool. I am certain I can do the same. There is no doubt in my mind that I get on his nerves, too. And although getting on each other’s nerves is pretty common in even the happiest marriages, it does make … [Read more...]
Should You Stay or Go? Is Giving Up on Your Marriage Ever a Reasonable Option?
I hate giving up. Something about walking away just feels unnatural. If something mattered enough for me to pursue, I have to hang in there. I have to give it all I’ve got. But does that mean I won’t ever give up? No, because I have walked away from things on occasion. I think there are times where, despite our very best efforts, walking away starts to feel like the … [Read more...]
Couples: Will this Be a Year of Building Up or Tearing Down Your Marriage?
I’ve always believed that inaction is actually a form of action. When you know a problem exists and you do nothing to help change things, you are making a strong statement about where you stand. If you know your marriage is not what you want it to be—what you hoped it would be—doing nothing to change things says a lot about where you stand. And sure, the lack of action … [Read more...]
9 Common Sense Things Happily Married Couples Just Don’t Do
It’s fair to say that when most people get married, they hope for happily ever after. Why enter such a serious commitment if you aren’t in it for the long haul? And why say, “I do,” unless you plan on sharing days of joy with the one you chose? Although talks about high divorce rates and infidelity can make people think happy marriages are only on TV, that just isn’t true. … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Ensure a Strong Marriage After Having a Baby
By Alyssa Rachelle There’s no question that my husband and I were overjoyed with the birth of our baby girl 10 weeks ago. Although her delicate little toes and infrequent smiling reflexes kept us in love, we were consumed with nervousness and anxiousness over this almost 7 pound miracle. Having a baby is a life-altering event that can also significantly change the course … [Read more...]
5 Things You Should Never Do if You Want Your Happily Ever After
People sometimes say that marriage is complicated. I don’t think that’s true, though. The reality is, anything in life can be complicated if that’s what you make it. I think marriage can be simple if you approach it with a certain level of mindfulness. It’s probably fair to say that most people who get married hope and plan for a happy marriage. After all, we can all be … [Read more...]
13 Things That the Happiest Marriages Have in Common
Have you ever met anyone who wants to be unhappily married? I sure haven’t. The end goal for everyone who chooses to say, “I do” is simple: They want to live happily every after. I know that’s what I want. And it doesn’t mean that I expect some fairytale marriage with this perfect life. I am no fool. I know things won’t be perfect at all. However, I also don’t subscribe to the … [Read more...]
6 Secrets to Building a Strong Marriage Foundation
Every great building is constructed on a firm foundation. Without a sure foundation the building will be faulty; it won’t stand because the foundation cannot hold the weight that is placed on it. Marriage is the same way. A sure foundation is needed to anchor your marriage. A foundation will help your marriage stand strong through the storms life brings. It will help your … [Read more...]
The 5 Building Blocks to a Resilient Marriage
The online dictionary says the definiton of resilient is "the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions." If you know anything about marriage, then you know being resilient in marriage is a must! Marriage will bring some difficult situations. Whether these situations happen during the DiscoveRING or PerseveRING stages of your marriage, the ability to … [Read more...]