Pregnancy is one of the most wondrous times in a couple’s relationship. Paradoxically, it can be a time riddled with challenges and unique conflicts. My husband and I know from our experience and from what other couples have shared with us that there are some topics that almost inevitably cause some degree of conflict during … [Read more...] about Overcoming Marital Conflicts That Are Common During Pregnancy
Enriching Marriage
Celebrating New Life This Easter
On Wednesday I shared about what it means to wait on the Lord. I alluded to the difficulty my husband and I have had trying to conceive. After trying to get pregnant for longer than we ever thought we’d have to try, we received some devastating news from my doctor in January. However, our God—our loving and faithful God—surprised us in … [Read more...] about Celebrating New Life This Easter
Talking About Money with Your Spouse
Whether you’ve been married 5 years or 50 years, the activities of daily life necessitate that you and your spouse make decisions about money. These decisions are often preceded (or followed, in some cases) by tense and unpleasant discussions. My husband and I have similar views on money and share common goals (this is one of the … [Read more...] about Talking About Money with Your Spouse
Fun and Frugal Double Date Ideas
Some time ago we looked at why it benefits couples to have friendships with other couples (read about the benefits of couple friendships here). There are lots of ways to spend time with couple friends, but it can be particularly fun to go on double dates. It’s not always easy to come up with enjoyable and affordable double date ideas. … [Read more...] about Fun and Frugal Double Date Ideas
Why Not to Complain About Husbands Like They Are All the Same
I’ve long observed the tendency of married women to commiserate with one another by sitting around and complaining about their husbands as though the men all have the same weaknesses and flaws. Whether this is done in a public venue like Facebook or a private venue like a quiet conversation in the hallway at church, I’ve come to believe … [Read more...] about Why Not to Complain About Husbands Like They Are All the Same
Book Review: The Meaning of Marriage
Marriage is a prevalent theme throughout the Bible. We see its significance from the beginning of Genesis (the marriage of Adam and Eve) to the end of Revelation (when Christ comes for His bride, the church). In light of this, it should come as no surprise that marriage has historically been viewed as a foundational institution for society and … [Read more...] about Book Review: The Meaning of Marriage
Supporting Our Husbands as They Practice Hospitality
Though I tend to think of hospitality as “women’s work,” I realized a few weeks ago that in my household it is actually my husband who tends to realize when it’s been a while since we’ve had guests over. I’ve also noticed that in the Bible, men played prominent roles in hospitality (e.g., Genesis 18:1-7, Ruth 2:14, Romans 16:23). After … [Read more...] about Supporting Our Husbands as They Practice Hospitality
Date Ideas for Every Season and Every Budget
While working on a Valentine’s Day gift for my husband (A Year of Preplanned Dates), I was reminded of how challenging it can be to come up with unique date ideas. Fortunately, a little brainstorming and a quick internet search yielded numerous ideas that span far beyond the stereotypical dinner and a movie. In fact, I quickly … [Read more...] about Date Ideas for Every Season and Every Budget
