The Ups and Downs of Marriage

Married life can be filled with ups and downs.  Whether you’re a newlywed or have been married for years, there will definitely be times in your relationship when you feel frustrated, sad, angry, annoyed, or irritable.  Sometimes a simple chore like taking out the trash can push you over the edge, and other times a more serious issue, like a forgotten anniversary, can cause you to question everything.

On the flip side, there will also be times in your marriage when you feel completely in love, bonded, connected, secure, and happy.  Moments of thoughtfulness, playfulness, exploration, discovery, and quiet time together can make you feel like you’re on top of the world.  There is nothing better than feeling loved, like everything in your relationship is just clicking.

Serious problems arise in a marriage, however, when a couple gets stuck in a down-swing, unable to shift into a better place.  Often unaware that it’s natural for all relationships to ebb and flow, some couples become paralyzed when their relationship isn’t working or fighting occurs.  Clinging to maintain their foot hold or strength, they argue and fight, resist “giving in,” won’t back down, and push their partner away, which eventually

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Starting a Conversation in Your Marriage

Have you ever thought about the way you start a conversation with your partner?

If you want to be able to effectively discuss and work through an issue or problem in your relationship, it is essential that you learn how to use a “soft start up” when initiating a conversation.

Researchers have found that couples who begin conversations using a soft start up are more satisfied in their relationship and are more likely to remain married.

Want to know the details of a soft start up?

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Benefits of a Healthy Marriage

Have you ever been angry with your spouse, felt hurt, frustrated, or disappointed and wondered, “Why am I married?” ??

There are a lot of great benefits that can come from being in a healthy marriage.  Men, women, children, and the community all benefit from couples who stay together and work to improve their relationship.

So, this week I’ve highlighted 10 of my favorite marriage benefits. Remember, working towards creating a healthy relationship with your spouse will

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Independence Day and Your Marriage

With the 4th of July approaching, I thought this would be the perfect time to remind you that YOU MATTER.

I know that I often remind you to GROW TOGETHER in your marriage and that I commonly discuss the importance of a creating a SHARED IDENTITY as a couple, but this week I want to remind you to that it is also important to focus

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Marriage and In-Laws


I just finished watching this week’s episode of the Kardashians (yes, I’m a fan, it is my guilty pleasure and I love watching the family dynamics) and was inspired to revisit the topic of boundaries and in-laws.

For those of you who may not watch the show, this week’s episode demonstrated the struggle that can exist between a couple when boundaries with extended family are not clearly communicated.

Boundaries are essential in any personal relationship.  They’re our way of setting expectations and preferences for how and when others interact with us.  Without boundaries issues can arise in relationships and feelings can be hurt, resentments can build, and relationships can eventual

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Your Friends and Your Marriage


Friends are a vital part of life. Remember when you were little and you had that perfect best friend you shared all your personal stories with?

Take a minute to think about who that person is now?

Maybe it’s your partner, and that is great!, but we all need multiple outlets.  We need to know that there are a good group of people in our life who stand behind us, pushing us to be better, do better, aim higher, reach our potential, and fulfill our dreams.

Watch the clip below for a quick reminder about

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Marriage Planning, It’s Never Too Late

Your marriage is THE most important relationship in your life.

Research has found that a secure marriage allows us to feel safe enough to explore the world, take positive risks in our life, and reach  our goals.

No matter what stage your relationship is in, it is never too late (or too early) to talk about

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Marriage Musts this Memorial Day


Holiday weekends are all about fun, family, relaxation, and maybe a little BBQ.  Having an extra day off often reminds us to get together with loved ones to catch up and just let go.

As important as it is to have time with friends and family,  it is also really important to take time to catch up with our partner.  Neglecting our relationship during a busy weekend can leave us feeling disconnected and drained by the time Monday night rolls around.  It is possible to keep the passion alive this Memorial

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Your Marriage, Your Money

Money is one of the most common topics couples argue about.  From different spending habits and past debt, to deciding whether to join bank accounts or not, couples who learn to regularly discuss their finances and plan together have stronger marriages.

Watch the clip

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Wedding Planning Tips from Marriage Expert



The months leading up to your wedding day are a truly an exciting time. Right now you are likely filled with joy, anticipation, happiness, and overwhelm. Getting ready for one of the biggest days of your life requires a great deal of time, energy, planning, imagination, and resources. For many brides, the goal of an engagement is taking time to create the wedding of their dreams.

As perfect as your wedding day should be, I often see couples make the mistake of allowing the wedding planning to interfere with their relationship. Below are 5 tips for staying connected during your engagement.

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