If you’ve been in a long-term relationship, you’ve probably gotten to the point of being in “the comfort zone”. This is where you and your partner have fallen into a routine of whatever is easiest, quickest, and (let’s face it) boring. Many times, it looks like this: go to work, come home, have dinner, watch TV, go to bed, repeat. If you have kids, there are a few more steps, but usually the pattern is pretty similar. The comfort zone is nice at times. There are few expectati

In my last post, I talked about how relationships are like cars in that both need proper maintenance to keep in top shape. Today, I want to give you a handy tool that I think makes a huge difference in maintaining a good relationship. It’s no secret that I love Dr. John Gottman’s work. I reference his books and ideas quite often. This tool is one of his gems I find myself talking to couples about frequently. In his years of studying many different couples, he has found that t

If you've ever owned a car, you know it takes a lot of maintenance. You have to fill it up with gas, make sure the tires have enough air, change the oil, go to scheduled mileage appointments, and occasionally go to a car wash. For owners of vintage vehicles, even more maintenance is necessary to keep those cars in top shape. Brand new cars don't take too much work at first, but the older they get, the more work they need. You should see where I'm going with this analogy. Main

‘Tis the season for engagement Fa la la la la, la la la la! Boutonnieres and flower arrangements Fa la la la la, la la la la! Rented tuxes, bridesmaids dresses Fa la la, la la la, la la la! Time to discuss marital stresses Fa la la la la, la la la la! Alright, I’m in a silly mood today, thus my little song for you about premarital counseling. On a more serious note, did you know in a study about marital satisfaction, the couples who completed some sort of marriage preparation