• Relationship Preparation

    Is it Time to Break Up?

    We watch scary movies and know when to shout at the dumb girl who goes into the basement to investigate that noise. We revel in her stupidity and feel superior. If it were us, we assure ourselves, we wouldn’t be so foolish. Sure, we would. Funny thing about life, it’s so easy to view it from the outside. Love can be the same, don’t you think? Others look at our horror movie and just know we need to end the relationship. But we don’t know and we just continue down   the   steps   to   the   basement. But, is it time to break up? I’ve ended more…

  • Relationship Advice

    Did I Make This Whole Thing Up?

    I record random quotes that people say to me. Some are profound—some funny. I wrote one down a few years ago from my niece, who earned her doctorate at Yale. Referring to a final paper she was writing, she said, “Sometimes you come to a certain place in your argument and you wonder, did I make this whole thing up?” I laughed so hard; you would’ve thought I was front row at a Jim Gaffigan show listening to his Hot Pocket segment. But sometimes I’m not laughing, because I need to know how to be a better wife. Sometimes when I’m offering advice, I feel like a fraud. I’m supposed to…

  • Relationships Take Work

    Create The Relationship You Want

    Like most couples, my mom and dad established particular roles for themselves in our home, and they didn’t wander far from their lanes. Mom’s lane included furnishing the house. Dad didn’t know what new couch he’d be lounging on until the truck arrived. They like it this way. When we tie the knot, we take what we’ve learned into our marriage. Often we don’t realize that we can create what we want our relationship to be. So when I got married, and it came time to buy furniture, what do you think I did? I called Mom to arrange a shopping date. When I hung up the phone, my husband…

  • Relationship Advice for Women

    The Artist Formerly Known As Prince Charming

    This one’s for every girl out there who’s still waiting for her Prince Charming to show up. Maybe he just got lost and is too stubborn to ask for directions. Or maybe he doesn’t exist. But I can tell you who does exist. And believe me, he stands head and shoulders over His Highness. When we’re young, we are sold the idea of finding our Prince Charming. He has good looks and perfect mannerisms. Oh, and don’t forget that he’s wealthy. Some of us get older and abandon that idea for The Bad Boy. He’s sexier than the prince and oh-so-mysterious. He’s bad, but only until he meets us; then…