Close your eyes and think of Easter. What images come to mind? In addition to Christ’s cross on a hill, I saw beautiful Spring flowers, brightly colored candies, and Cadbury eggs. We celebrated Easter in my home growing up, but not nearly as much as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Once Sunday morning service was over, the celebration was mostly over as well; but, this was not the case in Eric’s family – they had guests over, served lamb, and created wonderful memories. It is in our nature to consider our personal life experiences as normal. Even if others find our family traditions odd, to … [Read more...]
Pick the Ugly Guy Who Makes You Laugh
Have you ever been in the middle of a fight with your special lady or gentleman, only to burst into fits of laughter? If so, you can relate to my parents’ harried experience back in the 1970s. They were newlyweds when an intruder walked right through the front door of their trailer... “Meow!” In walked a stray cat – like it owned the place – and Dad protected his castle. He proceeded to kick the cat, which did not set well with my animal-loving mother... who kicked my dad for kicking the cat. Dad, not tolerating such disrespect, kicked Mom... and then they both burst out laughing at this … [Read more...]
Is Your Man a Pacifist? 5 Questions to Test Your Relationship (Guest Post)
This post is by one of my oldest and dearest friends, Lauran. She is witty and insightful and this post will bless you. Enjoy! Warning: One of these questions led to a real-life breakup. I am not a counselor. If you want to read posts by relationship coaches who can help you, Eric and Heather are awesome. If we have made it past three dates, I need to know some things about you beyond your favorite restaurant. No really, if we get mugged on a street corner after eating a lovely meal at said restaurant, I am curious how you think you will react. I won't judge you (too much). I just … [Read more...]
Seven Steps to Remaining Loving and Respectful in Stressful Times
As I sit in my bed being warmed by a heating pad, watching my sweet puppy sleep, it is hard to recall the way I felt when Eric and I were in our graduate school internship. We were both working full time back then and, after a long day at our jobs, we would rush across town and spend hours counseling young couples. The work was no doubt rewarding, but after advising students all day and working with couples all night, this introvert was struggling to keep it together (literally, we were doing 70-80 hour workweeks for a number of months). Eric was also exhausted, but it takes a lot more … [Read more...]
Twenty Phrases to Memorize and Say Often to Each Other
“So does love.” I can remember my heart catching in my throat when Eric said these three words. We were at Walmart just a month after I graduated college. As we were leaving the store, a man was playing with his child in a super silly fashion, and I commented, “Having kids makes you do strange things, and having grandkids makes you do super strange things.” His response, “So does love,” might have been a simple, matter-of-fact comment, but I knew it was not. Feelings between us were changing... and can I just say... it was about time! Later that evening, we talked and officially decided … [Read more...]
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