When my husband and I were first married, I was anything but pleasant whenever he called me during a workday. Interrupting my focus irritated me until I realized that in relationships and parenting, interruptions are opportunities for loving connection!

I was reminded of this bedrock of our relationship last week when my husband left the following phone message: “My heart is broken that I missed your call!” (So if you call me and get a full mailbox, it’s likely filled with my husband’s love messages saved for replaying.) The week before, he told me that his heart flutters every time he sees [...]

When landscaping a yard and garden, we rarely plant randomly. Often, we hire an expert to draw up a design, or we spend considerable time planning and choosing flowers and bushes perfect for the soil, moisture, and light in the area. Having a blueprint helps us create a beautiful, low-maintenance garden and yard. Then we take plenty of time to prepare the soil with compost, manure, peat moss, and sand to get just the right consistency.  But do we take this same care for our relationships?

Estimated reading time: 4.5 minutes

Research shows that open communication is the best predictor of relationship satisfaction. But when you're rushing to work, working a full day, picking the kids up from school, then off to soccer practice, who has time for a meaningful conversation? Our schedules can be relentless!

An open, honest conversation about your relationship might feel like the last thing you want to do at the end of a long day. And when you finally sit down to talk with your partner, you might find yourself nodding and saying "uh-huh" more than staying present. Although a half-hearted response is understandable, it [...]

In love and marriage, we're all a bit like magnets. Ever notice how sometimes we're pulled together irresistibly by an invisible force, and other times, we're pushing each other away? That's where emotional intelligence, or EQ, comes into play. It's our superpower in relationships. Think of it as your go-to tool for navigating life’s ups and downs together.

Love acts like a magnet, drawing us together and holding us close. Yet, as we all know, keeping that magnetism strong requires much more than just attraction. It's about nurturing understanding, fostering open communication, and learning [...]

Contrary to what you might feel, it’s not too late to save your relationship!

If you're struggling in your relationship, it might be too big of a stretch to remember that honeymoon feeling. Those blissful feelings are often mowed over by conflicts, complaining, and disagreements. Many couples don’t understand why the strife continues and often feel helpless to stop the vicious cycle. So, unfortunately, they keep digging the hole deeper, having the same arguments over and over.

Some wonder, “Have I fallen out of love?” or "Why am I failing at love?" Others wonder if they're the only ones with [...]

It's been said that relationships are the hardest yoga. I agree that relationships take the same focus, effort, and flexibility.

In marriage and other romantic relationships, as in yoga, we salute the sun each day, seeking to honor the best in ourselves, our partner, and our lives together. We bend by adapting to life's unexpected curveballs; we twist when we wrestle with conflict; and we stretch by striving to love our partner even when it's not always easy. And when we seek poise between autonomy and intimacy, it can be as challenging as a one-armed side plank.

Estimated reading time: 4.5 [...]

Empathy is embedded in the deepest parts of our brain and affects every relationship. From the first time that we shared our snack on the playground, to helping a friend study for a college exam, to supporting our spouse during a hectic work cycle, the opportunities are endless for this vital emotional intelligence skill. And it’s an indispensable part of being human, an emotional conduit for human connection and better relationships!

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

_{When it comes to marriage and keeping love alive, communication is key. Most couples would agree that for communication to be effective with your partner, it is best to come from a place of love. However, that may sound easier said than done, especially if you and your partner argue constantly! So, what is fair play in arguments? It's unrealistic to think that we will never have disagreements in marriage. But is there a line you should not cross?}

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

If you're around children—or even adults—for any length of time, you will eventually hear "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it" or "I'm sorry, it wasn't my intention to hurt you." And then the child or person goes along their merry way like nothing ever happened.But if we didn't mean it, why did we do it? Why do we so easily dismiss our behavior with a casual comment?

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

In a Wall Street Journal article, columnist Elizabeth Bernstein writes about the challenge of marriage between an ardent planner and a partner who prefers to be spontaneous.

Perhaps you’ve known people in a marriage like that—or maybe you’re one of them. In my work with couples, I have heard many a planner call their spouse passive-aggressive, or the spontaneous one refer to their spouse as a control freak. Regardless of what differences, marriage conflict is inevitable!

So, how do we successfully bridge differences in our relationships?

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes