One of my most favorite people on the planet is celebrating her birthday today, and for the first time, she is more than 200 miles away. We have celebrated our birthdays together for the past twenty-five years, so we are struggling with being apart. Though missing her is not quite the same as being in a romantic long-distance relationship, some of the same principles apply. Because we cannot count on seeing each other several times a year, we have to be more intentional – something we are still working on, but we are getting there. ~smile~ I miss you, Lauran! I hope California treats you as … [Read more...]

On Thursday, I will be thirty-six-years-old. When did that happen? Kids born when I graduated from high school are graduating from high school! Well, regardless of the year, I have always loved celebrating birthdays – mine and others. Life is so full of struggle. Why not find as much to celebrate as possible. All of us who woke up this morning have a reason to celebrate. In honor of my 36th trip around this planet, here are 36 tips for creating a simple and fun birthday for your special someone! Talk in advance. Before your birthdays come around, talk about what celebrating means to … [Read more...]

“Occasionally, weep deeply over the life you hoped would be. Grieve the losses. Then wash your face. Trust God. And embrace the life you have.” – John Piper We dedicate this post to those of you who are waiting on God and wondering if He hears and sees you. When I ran across this quote earlier today, it touched my heart – specifically because of where I saw it – posted on a dear friend’s Facebook wall. It reminded me of the heartaches we have been through together, of the long talks over coffee where we voiced our hurts, questions, and disappointments, and of the times she nursed me through … [Read more...]

New relationships are exciting, but they can also feel overwhelming – like you are wading into unchartered waters, hoping to avoid sharks and jellyfish. It is not always obvious when to cross certain lines. Should I put my arm around her? Does he want to meet my parents? Should we wait a little longer before we start talking about marriage? Never fear! PreEngaged is here with tips on when to tackle some firsts in your relationship. If we do not cover a first experience you have on your mind, feel free to contact us and let us know your question! When should we first: Combine our … [Read more...]

I still remember the fried chicken. It was, perhaps, the best fried chicken I have ever tasted in my life; but, I could not enjoy it... because it was my first meal with his grandparents. When I was sixteen, I briefly dated a young man who lived about twenty minutes off the beaten path with his incredibly sweet grandma and grandpa. Nothing about these individuals was threatening in any way, but my nerves were visible. To ease my spirits, his grandmother recounted the story of her first meeting with her husband’s parents. If I recall, when she met them, she was too nervous to eat at all. Her … [Read more...]