Many people think marriage is the “happily ever after” relationship told in fairy tales.  Before walking down the aisle, many envision their future spouse to be a constant, caring companion.  They imagine that they’ll never have conflict.  And they think the love they feel on their wedding day will last forever.  But the reality is quite different.  So, what should you expect?  You should expect disagreements,...

Marriage is really hard…. and takes a lot of work.  Even after all that hard work, I still mess up.  I mean, I want an awesome marriage, but I still DO the things I shouldn’t, and DON’T do the things I should.  One day I praise her, the next I put her down.  One day I’m happy with her, the next I’m angry. So, what can I do?  Sure, I’ll ask for forgiveness, and I’ll work to handle it the right way next time.  But...

You feel like it’s flat lined.  There’s no pulse—not a breath of life remains.  Before you pronounce it dead on arrival, there are four basic tools you can use to resurrect that dying relationship.  First, patience.  It took time for your relationship to need resuscitation; it will take time for it to get well again. Second, determination.  Choose to be committed to each other for life, no matter what, and work...

During the Civil War more than half of the skirmishes took place in Virginia, and each battle was just a continuation of the previous fight. Same reasons… same territory… different days. Sometimes marriage is like that.  You have the same fights over and over about the kids, the money, the romance.  The list goes on and on. But rather than continuing to take up arms, join hands and draft a resolution. Flip the...

Author Pat Morley suggests that we stop, look and listen when our spouse wants to talk.  First, stop what you’re doing.  Put down your cell phone, turn off the TV.  Second, look directly at your spouse when they’re talking to you.  It shows you care.  Third, really listen to your spouse.   And men, that doesn’t mean telling her how to solve a problem.  It means identifying how she’s feeling with an understanding...

Feel like all you do is clean the house, wash the clothes, pick up after others, and provide taxi service for the kids...  and no one notices? Or, maybe you feel like all you are needed for is to bring home a paycheck. A busy husband or wife can often get those feelings. So, what can you do? First, validate what your spouse is doing. Let them know that their seemingly mundane job IS very important and why. Second,...

Body image is how you picture yourself based on what you see in the mirror and by the reactions that you see from other people.  Negative feelings about body image are mostly experienced by women, but not exclusively.  If your spouse suffers from a poor self-image, here are three A’s that can help liberate your spouse’s body image.  First, affirmation.  Affirm them by saying things like, “My favorite part of you...