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...

Soon after my wife and I were married, we made a discovery. It seemed like when we argued, it was at night… when we were tired and irritable from a long day. So we set a curfew on serious discussions: nine o'clock is the limit. Now, when we start to get into a heavy talk after nine, we remind each other that it's late, we're not going to resolve anything tonight, and we can talk about it tomorrow. The next...

I'm talking about timing in marriage – specifically, when it comes to discussing things with your spouse. You want to talk to your wife about the phone bill so you bombard her as soon as she walks in the door from work. Your husband is sick with the flu but you go ahead and bring up the broken sink anyway. Or, your wife is exhausted, and just as her head hits the pillow you bring up the budget. All bad timing. ...

Renew your wedding vows. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate. You can even surprise your children. Just tell them you have something planned for this Valentine's night. When the time comes, repeat the same vows you took on your wedding day, or use different words. The point is to show each other and your kids how committed you are to your marriage. Finish up the evening showing them your wedding album...

It happens a lot... after the kids go off to college. Mom and Dad wake up the next day, sit down at the breakfast table, and wonder who the person is they are looking at. Reality strikes. They realize they don't even know each other anymore. Somewhere over the last few years, they've gotten so involved in their children's lives that they forgot about each other. Well, the best way to prepare to be an empty nester...

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. Each of you...

Our relationship with our spouse is a lot like our car…it needs regularly scheduled maintenance. Can you imagine if you never changed the oil in your vehicle, changed your filters, or even filled your tank? It wouldn't take very long before the engine would stop working and leave you stranded on the side of the road! Well, your marriage needs regular maintenance, too. When's the last time you had a tune up? ...