Learn to Fight Fair!

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Trust is probably the most important ingredient in building an intimate relationship between husband and wife. The essence of building trust is summed up in one idea by Dov Heller, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Los Angeles: Create a safe emotional space for your spouse. Many people wrongly believe that in a good marriage, you can "relax" and do not have to monitor everything you say and do. Nothing could be farther from the truth!  In a good … [Read more...]

Men with Smart Wives Live Longer!

Just one more reason that your husband (or fiance) should be glad he's married (going to be married) to you!  According to the Times Online,  Men married to smart women live longer!  We already know that married men live longer than unmarried men, and that a romantic relationship can add years to your life, but now we know something else... when it comes to picking a wife, brainy is better! There is a lingering suspicion among girls... that boys don’t value cleverness as an essential … [Read more...]

Inexpensive Date Ideas

You don't have to be dating to go on dates. Spending quality time together as an engaged or married couple is important to maintain a healthy relationship. Just because money's tight doesn't mean you can't go out for a night on the town... or spend the weekend doing something new and fun. So get out of your pj's and check out these budget-friendly date ideas from Marie Claire. 1. Rent bikes and go for a ride in the park or by the beach. Pack a picnic lunch or grab hotdogs at a nearby … [Read more...]

Are you having enough fun??

"Couples who play together stay together," says Gail Saltz, MD at iVillage. She talks about a new study from the University of Denver, showing that couples who have more fun time together also report more marital satisfaction and good feelings about their partner. Now this probably seems obvious to you, but the ironic part is that so many couples are working very hard to be able to afford some fun... and yet they don't make any time to actually do that. Another recent study found that couples … [Read more...]

6 Meaningful Bridal Shower Ideas

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If you are looking for a more meaningful way to celebrate with your female friends and family, then elegala has some great ideas for you! Showers for a Cause Who said the bride needs to get all the gifts? Instead, direct that spending power toward a greater cause, and dedicate the day to a charitable organization that holds special meaning for the bride and groom. Some ideas: Help the fight against breast cancer with a Pink Envelope Bridal Shower. Or have a green bridal shower where you … [Read more...]

5 Steps to a Financially Secure Marriage

Although financial concerns may be far from your thoughts when you became engaged, money quickly becomes important within weeks following the exchange of vows. There are things to buy, bills to pay and various other monetary decisions to consider. Unfortunately, far too many American families live from one economic crisis to another, never developing the habit of living within their means. A happy marriage is hard to maintain amid endless financial stress and conflict. Al Jacobs, a professional … [Read more...]

Marriage: The Wonder Drug

How would you like to have a bottle of pills that could....? Increase life expectancy Lower a cancer patient's risk of dying from the disease Lower a surgical patient's risk of dying in the hospital Strengthen the immune system Decrease rates of schizophrenia, alcoholism and suicide A longer, healthier, more satisfying life Well this magic pill is not something you'll find at the drugstore, explains James Burg, Ph.D., an associate professor at Indiana University-Purdue, Fort … [Read more...]

Questions to Ask Before you say “I DO”

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When you approach a marriage, you must be prepared to give it your all, but you also need to be sure there are no major "red flags" that will eventually doom your union. When a couple works together to build a strong, loving, respectful relationship, they really can overcome mountains... but you need to have a solid foundation to build on. Here are a list of questions you can ask yourself to ascertain whether there are any lurking issues that need to be worked out before you say "I do." 1. … [Read more...]

The couple that prays together… stays together?

Christie Hadley, in an article from The Examiner, explores a concept presented in a lecture hosted by John and Patty Hadden: praying together as a couple. "Now I don’t know about you," she says, "But this makes me a little squirmy. I’m comfortable with personal prayer and knowing God on a personal level, but outside of Mass, I don’t usually pray with people." So what is it that has "Pray together" at the top of the list for a stronger marriage?  Some statistics say that couples who … [Read more...]

How to balance the needs of your spouse and your parents

In-law problems are among the top reasons for divorce, says Jenna D. Barry, the author of "A Wife’s Guide to In-laws: How to Gain Your Husband’s Loyalty Without Killing His Parents." . By uniting as a couple, you have the power to eliminate this threat to your marriage. Although everyone yearns for a strong, healthy marriage, sometimes couples feel torn. It's impossible to please everybody all the time, so when there's a conflict between the needs of a spouse and the needs of a parent, … [Read more...]