Wednesday evening, I joined my long-time friend for chimichangas at our favorite Mexican restaurant. We used to see each other several times a week, but life changed, children grew, jobs expanded, and now we catch up when we can. Honestly, though, is there a better way to spend time with friends than over chips and cheese dip? As we sat, we observed a large table of high school students enjoying what we would assume was a pre-youth group meal. There was the loud one, the flirty one, the jealous one – all the stereotypical members of a young group of friends. Hearing them laugh, watching … [Read more...]

Eric is in the season of dissertation. A few years ago, he approached me about returning to school for his doctorate. Though it did not surprise me (as he lives to collect knowledge and pass it on to others), I did have my concerns. Quickly my mind returned to our days in graduate school when we were both working and stressed to our limits (and FYI, going to school together does not bond a couple in the ways we were hoping it would at the time ~smile~). However, he needed the challenge and I suspect always planned to complete a doctoral degree at some point in his life. He gave in to his … [Read more...]

“What have you missed out on in life because of poor planning?” This is a question I frequently ask myself. Some Saturday evenings, I look at social media and long to have used my day as my friends did – exploring with my husband, shopping, hanging out with friends, or finishing a large project. What I would give to reclaim my wasted weekends and devote them to laughter, making good memories, and refocusing life in my desired direction. Can you relate? Missed weekend opportunities are one of a few regrets which seem to float to the surface when I survey my life. If given the time, we can … [Read more...]

Two score and zero years ago, my parents brought forth on this planet a baby girl who up until a few years ago could not even imagine turning forty years old. When my parents turned forty, I thought they were old! As my thirty-ninth year flew by, I found myself dreading this next birthday – just as I did when I was twenty-nine. And when the day came, as you might expect, I felt no different. Thankfully, when I look back at my life, I can see so many lessons learned and God’s hand on my destiny even in the darker times. At later point in this decade (“the 4th floor,” as my friend calls it), … [Read more...]

(Even though our primary audience is pre-engagement and premarital couples and this post is primarily about spouses, many of the same principles will apply. Consider them as you consider your future and while you’re observing each other before marriage.) This afternoon at Kroger, my mother-in-law struck up a conversation with a young man holding a beautiful bouquet of roses. When I returned to the check out line with our final items, she pointed out the roses and told us he was about to see his fiancée whom he had not seen in a few weeks (which at that stage of a relationship can feel like … [Read more...]