Summer is just around the corner, and it’s warming up even in the regions known for their frigid temps – like here in Minnesota! Because the winters are so long and cold, the locals tend to spend as much time outside as possible during the warmer months, and that includes dates! If you can relate, then keep reading for some of our favorite warm weather date ideas. Read More
The weekend lies ahead of you – a blank slate of possibilities. Are you and your spouse on the same page about how to spend it? Think of the phrase, “That’s what the weekend is for.” To you, what is that, exactly? Is it for doing all the fun activities and outings you don’t have time for during the week? Is it for tackling your to-do list of chores and projects? Or is it all about relaxing and recharging at the end of a busy week and before starting the next?
The truth is, the way you want to spend the weekend might differ from what your spouse has in mind. You might have very different weekend mindsets overall, or even just from one weekend to the next. On their own, these preferences can cause conflict. Throw in a few unspoken expectations and less-than-stellar communication, and it’s a recipe for a disappointing weekend. If you and your spouse have experienced this before, then these tips are for you. Read More
You’ve got date night down to a science – that’s awesome! It means you’ve made prioritizing your relationship a regular and consistent part of your marriage, and that’s often easier said than done. But what if things are starting to feel a bit too routine? We can help! Here are seven easily-implementable ideas to bust out of the dinner date rut. Read More
When it comes to date night, many couples are just happy to get one on the books a couple times a month. If you’ve made them a regular occurrence in your marriage, kudos! It’s not always easy to stay connected in the midst of your busy lives, but prioritizing date night is a great way to do that. So what happens when your regular date nights are starting to feel a bit too “same-old”? Or you’re transitioning into a new phase of life and your usual routine is getting harder to fit in? Sometimes it can help to get yourselves thinking outside the box. Here are four ways to redefine date night. Read More
Another busy week is coming to an end. You and your spouse are excited to have a wide-open weekend in front of you. Sure, there are the usual chores to complete, and of course you’re planning on some time to just hang out and relax. This all sounds great, but you can’t help but feel like something is missing… like a shared hobby.
Pursuing hobbies and pastimes that bring you joy helps nurture a healthy sense of independence and fulfillment, which benefits your individual wellbeing. Likewise, sharing a hobby with your partner can enrich the time you spend together, ultimately strengthening your bond. However, finding a shared hobby isn’t always easy, for various reasons. Maybe you have very different preferences and interests, or you’re coming out of a season of life when you didn’t have much free time. Whatever the case, if you’re looking for some practical tips to discover a hobby you can share with your spouse, you’ve come to the right place. Read More
Do you and your spouse like to fly by the seat of your pants, or do you like to plan things out and know what’s going to happen? Or maybe you’re a combination of both. Wherever you fall, the realities of day-to-day life often favor planning ahead. While it might not seem like the most practical way to live all the time, spontaneity can have a positive effect on your marriage. It fosters a sense of playfulness, strengthens your bond, builds flexibility, and combats complacency. If you’re looking for some realistic ways to add more spontaneity to your marriage, keep reading. Read More
Bring the kids to their extracurricular activities, pick up the grocery order, rush home, get dinner going, help the kids with homework, scramble through baths and bedtime, clean up the kitchen – phew!
If your evenings are anything like this, it’s understandable if all you want to do is sit down and zone out when you finally get the chance. Whether you both work in or out of the home, have children, pets, or just a busy life in general, those evening hours are often time to relax and unwind before hitting the sack. If you’re sick of settling in for the same old streaming session, here are ten ways to refresh your evening routine. Read More
While Valentine’s Day should be all about the love, people often are divided on how to celebrate. Some *love* this holiday. They love the traditions that come with it. Weeks ago they put out the heart-shaped decor around the house and started crafting the classroom valentines their kids will hand out, just like they used to when they were in school. Days ago they picked out a red sweater to wear to work today and picked up heart-shaped candy to put out on their desk like they do every year. When they get home, they’ll look forward to the annual romantic dinner paired with a gift from their partner.
Others, well, not so much. They think this day is full of traditions of overspending, consumerism, and inauthentic expressions of love.
Regardless of where you fall, there is value in tying tradition into the holiday. Valentine’s Day can be a great way to remind yourselves to do things for your relationship because well, it’s tradition! We’ve got some different types of traditions worth starting. They might not all be realistic to do this year, but bring these up with your partner and decide what traditions you want to start – and maybe you already have some that fit these suggestions. Read More
Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Do you have a date night planned? If you’re like most people, you’re probably trying to prioritize where to spend your hard earned cash and a big fancy date might be something you skip out on. You might think of dates as a non-essential, something you won’t notice you’re missing out on, something you’ll be fine living without. And its true to an extent. Dates aren’t one of those essential line items in the budget like food, housing, childcare, etc. You’ll be fine without the weekly or monthly date night out on the town. However, if you go too long without spending intentional time with your partner, you will feel that and the longterm impact is a big one. Read More
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
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