Marriage Motivation
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10 Must-Read Relationship Help Books for Couples
I don’t like saying anything negative when it comes to relationships, but it’s hard not to admit that relationships aren’t always easy. That’s why there are so many relationship help books! Whether you’re dating, engaged, or married, there are days when it feels like everything is perfect, and love is literally the best thing ever. But then, there are those other days. The tough ones. Maybe it’s the constant bickering over little things, the awkward silences when you’re both upset or that feeling like something is… off. Even if things aren’t falling apart, you might still wonder: How can we make this relationship even better? How do we grow together,…
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What the Bible Says About Marriage and How to Apply It to Your Relationship
When it comes to marriage, the Bible isn’t just a rulebook; it’s a relationship guide filled with real-world wisdom. As a man who’s been navigating marriage for 19 years (as of today actually), I know it’s easy to get swept up in modern relationship advice and lose sight of timeless principles. The Word gets a bad rep sometimes when it comes to marriage, with concepts like household leadership and submission getting taken out of context for those on both sides of the playing field. However, the Bible is full of insights that apply as much today as they did thousands of years ago, and utilizing them can genuinely strengthen your…
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Guide to Managing Money As A Married Couple
You talked about managing money before the wedding, right? You’ve probably been talking about it ever since you moved in together, maybe even longer before that, when you became exclusive and started planning a future together. That’s good. But things do not always work out as you planned or even discussed. I mean, imagine how many couples ended up stressed and scared when the pandemic hit because their money management plans no longer worked. Managing money as a married pair can be a challenge even when you plan well. That’s because it’s something you and your partner need to be willing to change when the time comes to adapt. In…
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Travel as Education? How Travel Has Made Me a Better Husband and Leader
For the last four years, my wife and I have been gallivanting around the world as full-time digital nomads. We sold our home and all our belongings, got online jobs, and left the U.S. in 2020. Full-time travel has affected me in ways I never expected. It has reshaped my understanding of the world and developed my skills as a husband and leader. Cross-cultural travel is very eye-opening. It challenges you in every way—from trying to assimilate into different cultures to handling frustrating financial, situational, and social situations. I’m certainly a different man than when I left, and while I haven’t processed it all yet, here are a few things…
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Why We Men Need Alone Time: Hint…It’s NOT You
Sometimes it feels like life is moving too fast, and I’m just trying to keep up. I’ve come to realize that to keep my sanity, alone time is essential for me, and probably for all humans. It’s not about pushing anyone away or escaping from the people we love. Alone time is about recharging, reflecting, and reconnecting with ourselves. So here, I want to explore and explain why we men need alone time, and why it’s a vital part of our mental health. It’s a busy world out there… Firstly, let’s talk about the hustle and bustle of everyday life. From dawn till dusk, it’s like we’re running a marathon…
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The Best Marital Advice I Received: Your Partner Is Your Ally Not Your Enemy
A very long time ago, when my husband and I were newly married, a wise woman in our church gave us some advice that turned out to be THE statement I return to over and over in the ups and downs of marital bliss. Sitting on the couch, at a small group, the guest speaker that week was a fascinating woman that grasped my attention from the get-go. She and her husband had been married for what seemed like forever at the time, and they served as elders in our church. Though they offered up a plethora of good tips that night, one statement from her mouth resonated with me.…
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Male Confidence: How Changing My Approach Changed My Husband
Male confidence is tricky territory! Deeply ingrained societal norms place an enormous burden on men to be invulnerable — a warrior impenetrable to the worries of the world. They’re expected to pull themselves up by the bootstraps, let harsh comments roll off their back, and solve any problems that arise by throwing hands. While some of this mess is finally changing, this was the reality of my husband’s raising. Healthy self-esteem doesn’t come naturally for my fella, and it didn’t take me long as a new wife to realize that much of his confidence was tied up in how he thought I perceived him. A Tale of Two Opposites… I…
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The Impact of a Stepfather in the Family
I was once a divorced, single mother with two young sons. I met a man on a dating site, after a series of roller coaster dating scenarios I would rather not relive…..ever. This man seemed different. He knew I was a package deal. I had two sons under the age of 10, when we met. He claimed to fall just as much in love with my sons as he did me. I anxiously warned him, “My life is A LOT, are you sure you are up for it?” He wholeheartedly accepted the challenge and dove in, head-first….or possibly, looking back, heart-first. This man befriended my sons with ease. He took…
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Building A Strong Relationship: Dealing With Challenges as a Team
What makes a relationship strong? Before you answer that, consider Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. A passionate love story that started when the two met and discovered shared ideals about Mexican identity. Even better, they were both artists with strong personalities. Their marriage? Well, it was marked by fiery arguments, infidelity, and intense artistic collaboration. Diego was involved with other women through their marriage, while Frida took several lovers. The couple would fight rather publicly– through art. Frida once painted a portrait of herself crying with Diego’s face as a third eye, symbolizing the pain from their rough relationship. It came as no surprise that they divorced. Then,…
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Why I Intensely Spoil My Wife at the Risk of My Manliness
When people see me “spoiling my wife,” they often raise their eyebrows or crack a joke about my masculinity. It’s a scenario I’ve encountered countless times, particularly from older male family members. Despite the teasing, I continue to elevate my wife’s needs above my own. Why? I’ve come to understand that nurturing a happy marriage goes beyond outdated notions of gender roles. In this modern world, where societal expectations for women have reached an unattainable precedent, we as men have to do better! I’m not trying to toot my own horn here, but I want to stress to others that how you treat your wife not only affects her but…
