• Relationships Take Work

    Sacred Saturdays

    I attended a wedding in which the pastor encouraged the bride and groom to get their PhD Degree in the other. It struck me immediately that Bobby and I have this kind of intimacy, and that it has significantly contributed to our happiness. I think the benefits are: We are more understanding and patient with each other’s weaknesses and see and appreciate each other’s strengths. We know the buttons NOT to push which reduces our interpersonal conflict. It is fun and relaxing to have our best friend right in our own home. Being known by someone is good for our health. No, really! Sex is much more likely to happen…

  • Relationships Take Work

    Chasing the Dodgers: Handling Conflict When You’re Different

    Conflict. Ugh. Just the sound of that word makes us cringe, right? But know this. If you can learn how to manage it well, conflict will help your relationship. Yes, make it better because both unaddressed issues and bloody battles are death to your relationship. One might just take longer to make it die than the other. So, let’s figure this out. First, there are really two kinds of people when it comes to conflict: Chasers and Dodgers. Both have good points when it comes to conflict, but both have the capacity to really screw it up, too. It’s important to identify who you both are so the road can…

  • Relationship Preparation

    What to Know Before Choosing a Spouse

     The below is a letter I wrote to my eight nieces and nephews about what to know before choosing a spouse. I still pray for each one of them every day. I think I always will. Wanna eavesdrop on my conversation? I’ll also be praying that you or someone you love will be blessed by this letter, and you’ll learn about choosing a spouse. I’ll also share at the bottom something I wrote about where to look to find the right partner. I hope it helps you, too. Important decisions are on the horizon I have been thinking a lot about each of you, how much I love you, and…

  • Relationship Advice

    Be There!

    Wolf and Anita Gotttschalk have been married for sixty-two years. Their granddaughter took this heartrending picture of them the day they were parted and placed in separate nursing care facilities in Canada due to governmental red tape. This picture demonstrates two things. First, someone needed to get their act together and rectify this terrible situation for two people who did not deserve to be treated like this. Second, despite this situation, Wolf and Anita have something we all want. They have an everlasting love and an undeniable intimacy that even strangers can see instantly. They understand the concept of “Be There.” They were being forced not to follow it, though.…