After a couple announces the engagement, everyone shifts into preparation mode. A lot of time is spent on guest lists, the ceremony, and the honeymoon. It's easy to get so caught up in thinking about the wedding day preparations that sometimes couples forget about preparation for a lifetime of marriage. So take time to really get to know each other, ask hard questions and go to pre-marital counseling before you...
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My wife, Susan, and I knew a couple…let's call them Sally and Greg. They were always so sweet and kind to each other…so affectionate and attentive. We always looked at their marriage and wondered why ours wasn't as wonderful. Well, shortly after we drooled over this dreamy relationship, they went through a terrible divorce. What seemed like a magical marriage publicly was actually a dreadful relationship...
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Just remember the four Cs. First, check your emotions. Before you speak to your teen, make sure you're in a state of mind that's calm rather than emotional. Second, be confident that what you are saying is in their best interest, not just yours. Third, be clear in what you tell them, ask them to do, or not do… don't beat around the bush. Fourth, be concise in what you say. Don't repeat yourself over and over...
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Some people wouldn't say much, but some would say degrading things about their spouse. Sure, affairs do happen when things are going well in a marriage. But sometimes, there have been years of neglect and loneliness…years of two people failing to give and love. As my wife and I often say to each other, there are always two sides to every story. And just as it may take two to pull the relationship apart, it takes...
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As a private pilot, I can tell you that bad weather and air turbulence are just a part of flying. Sometimes it can be avoided…other times, it can't. Building an intimate marriage is kind of like flying a plane—sure, most of us would like to avoid turbulence in our marriage, but sometimes you just have to fly through it. The key to navigating through it is to learn to resolve conflict and communicate with each...
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I sometimes get asked about good books for married couples. If a couple is having severe problems, a book may not be enough. Marriage counseling may be necessary. But a good marriage book can help you foresee potential problems, focus on the important issues, and navigate you through some challenges in your journey as a couple. So choose a book to walk through with your spouse. I've made a list of meaningful books...
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Maybe you're lonely because your spouse is never home. Maybe they're at home but still very distant…you're searching for intimacy with your soul-mate, craving their companionship. What can you do when you're feeling so far away from your spouse? First, communicate your need to your spouse in a non-confrontational and non-accusatory manner. Let them know that you love them and want to spend time with them. ...
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