It drives you crazy when he makes snap decisions, but his resolve was one of the reasons you fell in love with him.  It bothers you that she’s always talking to her friends, but her bubbly personality is what drew you to her in the first place.  So what should you do if your spouse is annoying you?  Spend the rest of your lives irritated with each other?  Of course not.  Instead, you should remember and appreciate...

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...

My wife, Susan, made a guest post on my blog today. In it, she shares how we have marriage struggles too. Here are the ways she struggles with me in our relationship. Struggle #1. She doesn’t feel I hear what she says. Sure I listen, but there is sometimes a disconnect because she really doesn’t think I understand. Struggle #2. She thinks I’m a micro-manager in our home. I pay attention to the details, she sees...

Websites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are in the business of connecting people. Long-lost friends and classmates can be easily found, and relationships restored. But there’s a downside to social networking, too, especially when an old flame makes contact. In fact, marriages are breaking up over these “re-acquaintances.”  For some people, the temptation is just too much to handle. Your spouse should be...

This popular game shows the life-long struggle of birds trying to get back their stolen eggs from some pigs.  The birds defend each other and unite together, working toward a common goal.  Taking advantage of their unique talents, the kamikaze birds catapult themselves into the pig's towers to defeat them.  Marriage is kind of like that.  To have a healthy relationship, you need to defend each other and stand...

After suffering poor health for decades, composer Ludwig van Beethoven died in 1827 from lead poisoning. It was a slow and painful death. Bitterness in marriage is like that.  To find the antidote, we need to answer three questions.  First, what causes bitterness? Usually it’s not a single event, but several things that build up over time.  A wound here, an offense there… disappointment… betrayal. Second, what’s...

Valentine’s Day can be a bit uncomfortable for many couples and for many reasons. Here are a few culprits and what you can do about them. First, it can be awkward when you haven’t been romantic in a while. The solution? Don’t use this day to become Romeo or Juliet all of the sudden. But do use it as a springboard to launch your heart back into the relationship.  Second, it can be awkward figuring out what to give....