You love your spouse. You just wish they’d be a little more social. Or organized. Or ambitious. If only they did things this way, everything would be so much easier. You really do love your spouse, but are you still trying to change them? Here are 4 signs to watch for: Read More
As newlyweds, you probably have lots of ideas of what your marriage will look like. Maybe you have certain expectations about the way holidays will look or how you’ll run your household. Perhaps you think you know the areas on which you agree and the things you’re still figuring out. The reality is, many newlyweds carry sneaky assumptions with them as they cross the threshold into married life. Often, these assumptions are at odds with reality – and the result is conflict that catches couples off-guard. If you want to avoid the common newlywed arguments, here are 4 assumptions to leave at the door: Read More
Do you tell your doctor everything is great while concealing that weird rash? When you bring your car into the shop, do you say it’s running fine when it’s actually been making some very concerning noises? If the dentist asks if you’re feeling any pain, do you pretend that molar hasn’t been bothering you lately?
Sometimes it’s tempting to gloss over problems or pretend they don’t exist. It feels like the easier option in the moment, but ultimately, you’re only shorting yourself. Neither your doctor nor your auto mechanic or dentist can help you if you paint an inaccurate picture of what’s going on.
Unfortunately, when it comes to premarital counseling, many couples make this very mistake. They present an idealized version of their relationship, wearing a mask to hide perceived flaws or imperfections. Read More
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
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