Happily Ever After is Just the Beginning

Most people don’t go into marriage thinking it will end. At least, I hope they don’t. But there are a lot of ups and downs even in the best marriages. How do you know if the downs are really a sign that the marriage is unworkable? What are the things that are helpful to think about if you’re considering a divorce? Can you talk to an attorney if you’re still undecided? Ending a marriage can be scar...

You may think that you and your spouse don’t communicate. But the truth is, you are never not communicating. It might be that you don’t like what the other is expressing. It might be that you are communicating at different levels. It might be that the surface level way you normally communicate leaves you feeling disconnected and unheard. Marriage and Family Therapist Carole Cullen introduces the c...

Money makes the world go around but it can be hurting your marriage. Disagreements over finances is one of the top two issues that cause the most problems in marriage. Some even find it harder to talk about than the other top issue—intimacy. So, if dealing with money causes stress for you and your spouse, then Engaged Marriage blogger and author of the 15 Minute Marriage Makeover Dustin Reichmann ...

Do you love your partner but aren’t sure you’re in love with them anymore? Do you wonder where the magic has gone? Do you worry it won’t ever come back? Are you settling for being roommates when you want so much more? If so, then Jeff Forte, executive and PEAK Performance Coach and author of The 90-Minute Marriage Miracle, has the answers. He not only reveals the 8 elements of intimacy but what yo...

With all that’s happening in the world right now, are you making time for intimacy? This may seem like a trick question but the amount of sex people are having has been diminishing in recent years. Some of this has to do with more people living alone, but high levels of stress and worry may be making it worse. Sheltering in place, working from home, making sure your children don’t fall behind in s...

You might remember this famous line from the book and movie Love Story—“Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” You might even want to believe it because apologizing can be really awkward. And, besides, your partner knows you didn’t mean it and that you really love them. NOPE! When you can’t or don’t apologize it often leaves a rift in your relationship. Over time, and with fewer apologies,...

All couples disagree but how they disagree determines the overall health and happiness of their relationship. Annoyances, assumptions, and blame are some of the common, but harmful, behaviors couples engage in. Maybe this describes you or your partner. The good news is that disagreements don’t have to turn into arguments. You can learn how to do this. Beth Steffaniak, life coach and author, descri...

How to Talk So Your Partner Will Listen Good communication alone will not ensure a Happily Ever After marriage but, without it, you don’t stand a chance. One of the biggest challenges couples face is learning how to communicate effectively. As with most things, it’s easier to look at where the other person is falling short than to look in the mirror and figure out our part. You’ve been talking sin...

Uncertain times, such as living in a pandemic, present challenges for individuals and couples alike. But those challenges aren’t necessarily bad. Sheltering together, whether you’re in a Turbo Relationship or you’ve been together for years, provides an opportunity to get to know each other in a deeper, more authentic way. And no matter what you learn, you and your relationship will be the better f...

You, like all of us, are a creature of your past. Everything that has happened to you forms who you are in this moment—for good or ill. It isn’t so much the events of your life but the stories you tell yourself about those events that matters the most. And those stories live mostly in your subconscious, silently influencing your behavior, and your relationships. To have a better marriage, it is he...

Nothing thrives on neglect and your marriage is no different. But it’s easy to let things go because “it’s not that bad” or other things take priority—your kids, job, social media. If you have lost touch with each other, being stuck together without your usual outlets may feel like torture. But it doesn’t have to. Couples Coach and Founder of Embodied Breath Sarah Poet reveals an easy way to get y...

Most people have a limited definition of intelligence—the kind that is measured by IQ tests. And that kind of intelligence can serve you well in many aspects of your life. The one place where it can be a problem is in your relationships. It can keep you from understanding your spouse and from truly connecting with them. And isn’t what you wanted in your marriage in the first place? Scott Davison,...

The statistics are sobering. Couples deal with a serious issue on average for six years before seeking help. Only 19% of divorced couples sought counseling before signing the papers. Yet, counseling is effective for 70% of couples who seek it out. If you had a 70% chance of saving your family, home, and savings, why wouldn’t you take it? Relationship coach and writer Kyle Benson addresses the myth...

Good communication is the key to a successful marriage. It is the basis for solving problems, connecting with your spouse on a deep level, and creating a life together that honors you both. But it is one of the biggest challenges for far too many couples. Maybe for you as well. It’s also one of the simplest to resolve. Psychotherapist Melissa Cliffe explores how couples get off track when faced wi...

Marriage as an institution has evolved over the course of time. The Women’s Movement freed wives to live more completely as people. Ideally, it would have freed husbands too. Unfortunately, society has been slow to let men out of their box. But in order to have equal partnerships most want their marriages to be, men must be allowed to embrace their entire selves. Relationship coach and writer, Har...

Are you in love with being in love? Many are. But this just leads to a never-ending search for a lasting high. Like any addiction, it becomes a diversion that ultimately does harm. To you. To your spouse. And to your marriage. But what if you could value ‘love’ as much as you value being ‘in love’? What if you thought the actual love was the more important of the two? Ryan Breen, Couples Counselor...

Do you believe that marriage takes work? Do you believe that marriage is the place sex goes to die? Do you believe that you need to compromise and sacrifice who you are for your marriage to work? Do you believe that this is the best you’re going to get so just accept it? STOP. NOW. These statements are only true if you choose to continue believing them. You don’t have to settle for a “less than” m...

Your reflexive reaction might be to say YES! But what if you were wrong. There are all kinds of lies and betrayals—infidelity, money secrets, addiction, omitting pertinent details because they weren’t specifically asked about. None of it is okay and all of it hurts. When you’re in that pain, it may be very difficult to see a way forward that isn’t just out of the relationship. Certified Sexual Int...

You’ve asked your partner to do something different. Or, maybe, your partner has asked you to. The two of you might even agree that the change will help your relationship. You also agree to make the change and then, …. you find yourself doing the same old thing. No matter how inclined you are to make the change, sticking with it seems impossible. The good news is you’re perfectly normal. Change ev...

Are you angry and frustrated with your spouse because they keep doing things that annoy you? You’ve told them it bugs you, but they continue to do it anyway. So who’s to blame? The truth is you both are. This is just one example of the importance of having clear and consistent boundaries. Relationship coach and writer Matt Fray explains why having appropriate boundaries is key to creating a health...

It’s relatively easy to break a single stick but much harder to break a bundle of them. That’s the concept behind marriage. It’s easier to face things with someone than by yourself. But what if you’re looking at your spouse right now and don’t feel supported? What if you’ve asked them to do something different and nothing changes? You think you’ve tried everything, but you may have been focusing o...

Intimacy makes me think of old math classes about sets. Sex is often a part of intimacy, but intimacy does not always include sex. This may be confusing to many who think they are one and the same. The desire for intimacy—really being known by another person—is why many of us got married. So why is it often so problematic? Dr. Catherine Aponte, clinical psychologist and the author of A Marriage of...

There’s a common belief that women are more interested in the health of their relationships than men are. The problem: it’s not true. Women have been encouraged, sometimes to their detriment, to be in touch with their emotional side. Men—not so much. But most guys want to be good partners and good parents. They’ve just been trying to do it with one hand tied behind their back. Men are half the pop...

Under non-pandemic circumstances, it’s not unusual to question whether you married the right person. But after being in close quarters for weeks, this idea may be gaining steam. It’s just the wrong question. A good marriage provides a sense of security and happiness. But too many people don’t know the things to do to have the kind of marriage they really want. It’s never too late to learn. And the...

Do you and your partner have difficulty communicating? Is it harder now you’re stuck together with no end in sight? If you said, “Yes”, you’re not alone. Good communication is a necessary component of a successful relationship. It builds trust and a sense of security between the two of you. Unfortunately, most couples communicate at the surface level. Maybe that’s all you can manage now. But, if y...