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Learn These Things About Yourself to Become a Better Spouse

By Connection, Relationship Basics5 Comments

It’s often said that in order to love someone else, you need to love yourself first. You might think just involves having a healthy sense of self-worth and generally liking yourself as a person, and that is part of it for sure. But truly loving yourself goes deeper than this. It involves really understanding who you are – the good, the bad, and everything in between. And although it’s somewhat counterintuitive, looking inward can actually improve your marriage. It’s true! Here are three key areas in which learning more about yourself can make you a better spouse. Read More

December 20, 2023
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Couple warming hands by the fire in front of cabin surrounded by snow

4 Ways to Prioritize Your Marriage During the Holidays

By Connection, Family & Friends, Quality Time3 Comments

During this festive time of year, there’s a lot of emphasis on spending time with others – extended family, friends, neighbors, etc. It might feel strange to put your spouse first – but it shouldn’t! Your marriage deserves to be prioritized year-round. Wondering how you can keep it top-of-mind with so much going on? We’ve got some tips to share. Read More

December 13, 2023
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Couple with arms around each other on skateboard

3 Surprising Signs Of A Strong Bond

By ConnectionOne Comment
Do you feel like you and your spouse have a strong bond? Hopefully the answer is yes. If so, what exactly makes you feel that way? Interestingly, that might be harder to pinpoint than you’d think.

Maybe you’re great communicators and skilled at dealing with conflict. It’s true that those things often go hand in hand with feeling strongly connected, and they definitely should not be minimized. But these are not the only signs! Sometimes it’s a bunch of seemingly small, subtle things that contribute to an overall feeling of closeness and connection. Often those things can be just as important, even if they don’t seem as “serious” in terms of healthy relationship habits. Let’s discuss a few of these surprising, and sometimes quirky, signs of a strong bond. Read More

December 6, 2023
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4 Ways to Give Back (while growing closer)

4 Ways to Give Back (While Growing Closer)

By ConnectionOne Comment

Pitching in, donating your time, volunteering, serving others. It goes by many names, but one thing is certain: giving back is not only great at an individual level, it’s also an amazing experience you can share with your partner. Beyond the obvious benefit of doing something good for others or for your community, there are many other positives as well. It gives you a chance to reaffirm your shared values, fill your cups through a meaningful activity, and strengthen your bond as a couple. Here are four ways to give back while growing closer as a couple. Read More

November 22, 2023
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10 Loving Ways to Surprise Each Other

By Connection9 Comments

Not everyone loves surprises. If this sounds like you or your spouse, you might cringe at the thought of surprising each other. But before you stop reading, let us clarify. Surprises don’t have to come in the form of an over-the-top surprise party with every person you know in attendance (the horror!) They can actually be relatively small, simple ways to show love and appreciation or boost your level of connection. Here are 10 ideas to get your gears turning: Read More

September 20, 2023
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Showing Love When You’re Not Really Feeling It

By Conflict, Connection6 Comments
Real talk. You love your spouse. But sometimes, you don’t really feel all that loving. Maybe you are angry with them or are still processing emotions around a conflict. Perhaps you’re emotionally flooded or you’ve had a horrible day and just need some space. Whatever the case, it’s normal to not feel loving and affectionate toward your spouse 100% of the time. However, constantly taking your anger, frustration, or other difficult emotions out on them (even when they might be the cause), will take a toll on your relationship.

Fortunately, there are ways to let your spouse know your love for them hasn’t wavered – that you’re still “with” them and committed to your marriage even if you’re not feeling especially warm towards them at the moment. These small things provide reassurance that you will reconnect, even if it’s not immediately. Let’s explore. Read More

September 13, 2023
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Challenge - Learn Something New About Your Spouse

Challenge: Learn Something New About Your Spouse

By Connection2 Comments

How well do you know your partner? Probably pretty well. You know their tendencies and preferences that pop up on a daily basis. You have a good idea of their triggers and what gets them riled up in an argument. So here’s another question for you: When was the last time you learned something new about them?

When you’re first dating, it seems you’re constantly learning new things about each other, and you can’t get enough. You’re still getting to know all the different facets of one another, and you hear new stories and tidbits at every turn.

Flash forward to a point in time when you’ve been together for years. How often are you learning something new about each other now? While you and your spouse probably aren’t changing drastically on the daily, the fact is that you do grow and change as individuals over time. However, it’s often in ways that aren’t going to come up in your usual day-to-day conversations. So how do you keep up with these changes in each other? How do you keep learning new things about your spouse when you’ve been together for years? What if we challenged you to do just that? Sounds simple enough, right? Here are some tips to get you started: Read More

August 9, 2023
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8 Tips to Revitalize Your Conversations

8 Tips to Revitalize Your Conversations

By Connection7 Comments

There’s something to be said for being comfortable enough with your spouse that you don’t mind sitting in companionable silence. It doesn’t feel awkward. Neither of you feels obligated to fill the space. You’re content just being together.

On the flip side, your spouse is also the person with whom you talk to the most. You enjoy both serious and silly conversations about everything under the sun… or at least you used to. Lately, it seems like your exchanges have become more mundane than meaningful, more stale than stimulating. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Over time, as you settle into the routines and obligations of daily life, the quality of your conversations can take a hit. While this isn’t a problem on occasion, it can gradually have a negative effect on how connected you feel to each other. The good news is you can avoid this path! Let’s explore 8 tips to revitalize your conversations. Read More

July 17, 2023
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10 Easy Ways to Amp Up Date Night Fun

10 Easy Ways to Amp Up Date Night Fun

By Connection, Quality Time6 Comments

So you’ve been intentional about making date nights a regular thing, and it’s paying off – that’s great! You’ve done such a good job of making it part of your routine that it actually requires less effort now… so what’s the problem? Well, maybe things have gotten a little too routine. You tend to fall back on the same plans. While there’s definitely nothing wrong with that, you might welcome some simple ways to inject some novelty and fun into your same old, same old. Luckily, we’ve got ten easy ways to amp up the level of fun on your next date. Read More

May 31, 2023
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6 Types of Rituals to Maintain in Your Marriage

6 Types of Rituals to Maintain in Your Marriage

By Connection16 Comments

Is that quick goodbye kiss before you part ways in the morning really critical to the success of your marriage?

It might seem small and inconsequential, but in the context of relationship rituals, it can actually be quite meaningful. Much research has shown that rituals have an overwhelmingly positive effect on marriage. They create and nurture connection, shared meaning, and a sense of stability in your bond. They act as constant relational touch points that help you stay tethered to each other and your unique identity as a couple – in the midst of your busy lives.

Chances are, you already have many rituals in your marriage that formed naturally. While you might not have put much thought into creating them, a bit of intention and awareness doesn’t hurt when it comes to sustaining them over time. Here are 6 types of rituals to maintain (or create) in your marriage: Read More

May 10, 2023
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