Some of the best marriage advice is pretty ubiquitous – prioritize good communication, address issues instead of avoiding them. Other tips are less obvious, but just as impactful. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite underrated habits that add up to a stronger, more connected relationship. Read More
Summer road trips. Pizza and a movie on Friday nights. Family vacations big and small. Special one-on-one experiences with each kid. Birthdays and holidays that feel magical. If you have children, it’s very likely that one of your main missions in life is creating positive core memories they’ll look back on throughout their lives with a sense of comforting nostalgia. In so many ways, your world revolves around them, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But where does your spouse fit in? Are they hovering somewhere outside this orbit? Read More
We often talk about appreciating the little things – the sound of your kids laughing, your favorite comfort meal, or a hug from your spouse after a long day. What’s harder to notice? The small things we pass by when our sights are set on something bigger. A rainbow is beautiful, but what if there was a pot of gold at the end of it? Would you still take time to appreciate the colorful path leading up to the treasure?
Marriage is a work in progress. Ideally, you and your spouse are continuously working to keep your relationship strong, growing together both as individuals and as a couple. Striving to be your best is admirable, but are you acknowledging the small markers of progress along the way? Let’s explore some examples and why it’s important. Read More
Engagement is often touted as one of the most exciting times of your life. You’re giddy in love with your new fiancé, and you’ve just marked a momentous turning point in your relationship. You know lots of really special moments lie ahead – moments you’ll remember for the rest of your life. In the meantime, you’ve got a wedding to plan.
Little do you know that hiding on the other side of that emotional high is a potential mountain of wedding-related stress. If you’re expecting everything to be breezy and fun, this reality can ruin the whole experience – and strain your relationship, too. We’re not trying to alarm you, but we do want to you to be prepared to face these common sources of stress as you plan your wedding. While we’re at it, we’ll cover some ways to prevent them from ruining your planning experience. Let’s dive in. Read More
You wake to the buzz of your alarm clock. You stub your toe trying to peek out the window, where you find rain pouring from a dark, gloomy sky. You’ve got a long to-do list for the day. Do you shift into grump-mode, already deciding the day is going to go poorly before it’s even begun? Or do you feel thankful for a break in the dry spell and ready to have a productive day despite the weather? You may not realize it, but your mindset truly does matter. And the same idea applies to premarital counseling.
Going into counseling with your head and heart tuned to the right frequency can be the difference between wasting your time on another pre-wedding task – and having a meaningful experience that sticks with you. Read More
When it comes to anniversary gifts for your spouse, where are you at? Do you feel energized and inspired to pick out the perfect gift? Or does it feel like yet another occasion to acquire more “stuff” that will end up in next year’s donate pile? Maybe you keep it minimal with a card and flowers (which also just end up in the trash). Maybe for this very reason you’ve decided not to do gifts at all – and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Your wedding anniversary is a milestone to cherish and celebrate, but when it comes to the gift aspect, we’d agree – we can do better! Instead of gifts that seem generic, disposable or expensive with short shelf lives, what if you opted for ideas with a much longer payoff? If you’re wondering what we mean, here are 4 types of anniversary gifts with staying power. Read More
They say laughter is the best medicine, and while it can’t solve all of your issues, it does have a way of creating a more harmonious dynamic within your marriage. Sure, laughing with your spouse and sharing a sense of humor is fun in its own right, but the ability to lean into humor at specific times can be the difference between conflict and connection. In fact, here are 4 times humor saves the day. Read More
Family reunions, weddings, graduation parties, 4th of July get togethers – how many family events do you and your spouse have on the calendar this summer?
For many couples, these types of events are a normal part of their life together. They can be a source of enjoyment, time you cherish and something you both look forward to. And they can be stressful and challenging, too. While you can’t predict everything that’s going to happen, you can set yourselves up to have a more positive experience. One way to do that is to steer clear of making certain assumptions. Here’s what to avoid: Read More
“What things do you like to do together?”
“Oh, we like hiking, volunteering at our church, watching basketball, cooking…” Some couples have a whole slew of hobbies they enjoy together. Other couples have a harder time answering this question. If you fall into this group, you might wonder, “Is there something wrong with our relationship?”
While having shared interests is a great way to strengthen your bond and nurture your friendship throughout your marriage, maintaining separate interests and your individual sense of identity can be good for your relationship, too. The key is seeking a sense of balance and being intentional about staying connected in other ways. Looking for tips to do that? Keep reading. Read More
When your spouse is struggling, they probably come to you, and vice versa. Having someone to go with your worries, problems, and emotions is one of the big perks of being married. The tricky part is knowing exactly what your spouse is looking for in the moment. Are they looking for moral support or emotional validation? Or are they looking for your perspective or a practical solution? If you’ve ever given the wrong thing at the wrong time, then you know it doesn’t feel great for either of you. What can you do to avoid this? Here are three simple steps to remember. Read More
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