Knowing some things ahead of time can lead to a happier relationship.
More than 2 million marriages take place annually in America.“Almost all couples anticipate ‘living happily ever after,’” according to Dr. Gary Chapman in his book, Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Got Married. “No one gets married hoping to be miserable or to make their spouse miserable, yet the highest percentage of divorce occurs within the first seven years of marriage.”When you consider the fact that most people spend more time planning and training for their vocation than they do for thei…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Things-I-Wish-I-had-known-before-Marriage-1.jpg9001400Mitchell Quallshttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngMitchell Qualls2022-03-17 00:00:002022-04-19 14:06:306 Things To Know Before You Get Married
How Porn Impacts the Brain warns about some of the dangers of porn addiction.There is no question that pornography impacts the brain. Research says it’s more addictive than cocaine and it's a habit harder to break than heroin.The U.S. Justice Department believes that 9 out of 10 children see online porn between the ages of 8 and 16.
So you’re planning a wedding. Everyone from family and friends to social media is giving you advice so your day can be all that you could ever dream of. Plus, there are a ton of tips and lists out there of all you should do to make your wedding day perfect and memorable. It can…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Untitled-4-01-1.png5001200Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2021-10-26 14:13:332021-10-27 10:10:4011 Things NOT To Do When Planning A Wedding
There are many factors to consider about marriage.
I’m a man who didn’t want to get married. I’ve lived with the mother of my children for 15 years. Fifteen years. Now, I realize the importance of marriage and wish I had gotten married years ago. Reasons I Avoided Marriage I grew up around people that didn’t value marriage. My parents never got married.…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Untitled-7-01.png5001200James Woodshttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJames Woods2021-10-07 14:11:332021-10-07 15:36:083 Reasons We’re Getting Married After Living Together
Romantic relationships are full of big decisions. One decision that’s gonna present itself is A) Do we move in together? and/or B) Do we get married? 59% of adults under the age of 45 have decided to move in together at some point. Then there’s the question: What would change if we got married? Is…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Couple-01.png8542048Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2021-06-10 13:22:232021-06-18 15:19:18What’s the Difference Between Living Together and Marriage
Do your homework on the topic and move forward from there.
You may be trying to decide: Should we move in together? Or perhaps you already live together and have some questions. Is living together bad for your relationship? Is this going to be good or bad for us? You’ve probably heard lots of strong opinions. Let me be straight-up with you; there’s no simple answer. …
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/BlogPicCoupleMoving-01.png8542048Chris Ownbyhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngChris Ownby2021-06-04 10:26:562021-06-09 10:24:00Is Living Together Bad for Your Relationship?
Find out if living together will help you accomplish what you want.
Living together is pretty common these days. For many, living together is a natural progression in the evolution of their relationship, which may or may not lead to marriage. But it has its own set of complications, and there are things every couple should know before they move in together. I’m not trying to convince…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Anotha-One-01.png8542048Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2021-06-03 16:14:402021-08-25 11:40:325 Things Every Couple Should Know Before They Move In Together
Your wedding was not the most important day in your marriage. Today is. What if I could tell you about the future of your marriage? For the moment, let’s say I can. (Because I can.) Brace yourself, my newlywed friend. I come from over 25 years in the future of your marriage. What do you…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/creating-a-brand-a2BZAKHGGCo-unsplash-1-scaled-e1613491352827.jpg8792048John Daumhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJohn Daum2021-02-16 11:01:332021-12-20 16:41:215 Ways Your Relationship Changes After You Get Married
Don’t beat yourself up over the blues; just beat ‘em.
“Post-Wedding Blues” are absolutely a thing. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. And definitely don’t feel bad for feeling them. You don’t need to be worried or secretly guilt-ridden. “Blues” are totally understandable. And you can get your head around your heart. Check this out… Which of these television couples were you just hoping could…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/blake-carpenter-uOrmKHggRY4-unsplash-scaled-e1613398701860.jpg20481368John Daumhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJohn Daum2021-02-15 09:18:332021-02-18 10:29:30Do I Have Post-Wedding Blues?
Make their heart happy with these out-of-the-box ideas!
Valentine’s Day is a great time to get outside the heart-shaped chocolate box and celebrate love and romance in a BIG way! If you want a hand in making this day unique for your Valentine, you’ve come to the right place. These 10 creative ideas will help you connect and play as you set this…
If you’re dating, in a long-term relationship, or engaged, you may be wondering what marriage is like. You probably have friends with good marriages and those who have so-so marriages. Perhaps you’ve got questions, but you don’t know exactly how to ask. Questions like: Is it hard? Is it worth it? Why get married? Well,…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/pexels-emma-bauso-3585798-scaled-e1611164869571.jpg355900Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2021-01-20 12:48:002021-01-21 11:53:4610 Things You Need to Know About Marriage
How gritty are you? Is your marriage gritty? Do you teach your kids to be gritty? In her book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, Harvard-trained psychologist and researcher Angela Duckworth examines what it takes to stick things out and accomplish long-term goals. Grit has everything to do with how we do family relationships. …
These things can help you get ready for married life.
You said, “Yes!” Congrats! Now, the planning begins. Where to start? The venue, music, big or small wedding, indoor or outdoor, caterer, DJ or band, wedding cake, dress, tux, bridesmaids, groomsmen… OH MY! Lots of preparation for the big day, but what about preparation for the marriage? What can you do to focus on the…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/emily-finch-2zHKCzj-dmM-unsplash-scaled-e1603887480118.jpg241600Mitchell Quallshttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngMitchell Qualls2020-10-28 08:18:152022-02-22 13:06:315 Do’s And Don’ts Every Engaged Couple Should Know About Preparing For Marriage
These 7 things can help you build a strong relationship.
What’s the difference between a loving, warm marriage and one full of friction and conflict? Trust. There are probably many items on your checklist for having a strong marriage. If there’s one that ought to be at the top of the list, it’s trust. How do you establish trust in marriage from the start? 1.…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/pexels-emma-bauso-3585812-1-scaled-e1603139105338.jpg253600Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2020-10-19 16:25:162021-03-16 13:12:44How To Establish Trust In Marriage From The Start
Fun doesn't always just happen, but you can make it happen!
You’re getting ready to marry the love of your life, and you’ve been reading card after card wishing you a marriage full of love and adventure. With that comes the hope of fulfillment in each other and the desire to have fun, because who wants a boring marriage?! No one… Here are 3 easy things…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Engaged_MarriedFun.jpg344800First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2020-10-05 22:19:012022-03-18 12:45:21We’re Engaged. How Do We Make Sure Our Marriage is Fun?
You want to have good relationships. You want a healthy marriage AND you want to be a great parent, a wonderful friend, fiancé, or co-worker. But relationships are sometimes complex. They aren’t always easy. Issues arise. And if you’re like me, you could just use some help sometimes. The internet gives us ENDLESS information on…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/HowtoFindGoodRelationshipAdvice.jpg454800Chris Ownbyhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngChris Ownby2020-10-05 21:46:132021-04-01 17:22:46How to Find Good Relationship Advice
When you marry the love of your life, they bring so many different things to the table for the two of you to share. Their personality, adoration for you, commitment, maybe some furniture or experience with things you don’t know how to do. And don’t get me wrong—this sounds lovely (and it is…) until one…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/AdobeStock_204872376-1-scaled-e1601405748913.jpeg252600First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2020-09-29 14:56:002021-11-23 09:50:42What to Do When You Aren’t Crazy About Your Future In-Laws
Engagement season is upon you—congrats, by the way!! With the pretty ring comes some planning, excitement, questions, and ultimately preparing for marriage! With that being said, here are 5 tips to help newly engaged couples thrive during the engagement season: 1. Have the big conversations before you’re deep into planning. If you haven’t already, make…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/annie-marek-barta-qRqEfUfw7TM-unsplash-scaled-e1600372568255.jpg199600First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2020-09-17 15:56:282021-07-29 10:13:095 Tips For Newly Engaged Couples
If you want your best self to show up on your best day ever, practicing self-care while planning your wedding should be at the top of your to-do list. Planning a day that is ultimately about 8 hours but signifies a lifelong commitment can be stressful, I’ll be the first to admit it, having planned…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/neal-e-johnson-TXYLc5lEuM-unsplash-scaled-e1600194965377.jpg205600First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2020-09-15 14:36:272021-03-22 22:30:034 Ways To Practice Self-Care While Planning A Wedding
It’s that time of year! The leaves are changing colors and falling. There’s a cool breeze in the air. Pumpkin spice is the flavor of the season. We’ve moved past the laid-back summer and now it’s FALL, the season of football, fun… and romance. Here are several romantic fall fun date ideas that bring out…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/romane-van-troost-sn61a37mbUM-unsplash-scaled-e1600112159255.jpg319600Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2020-09-14 15:36:262020-10-27 10:46:5430 Romantic Fall Date Ideas For Couples
6 Things To Know Before You Get Married
More than 2 million marriages take place annually in America.“Almost all couples anticipate ‘living happily ever after,’” according to Dr. Gary Chapman in his book, Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Got Married. “No one gets married hoping to be miserable or to make their spouse miserable, yet the highest percentage of divorce occurs within the first seven years of marriage.”When you consider the fact that most people spend more time planning and training for their vocation than they do for thei…
9 Warning Signs of Porn Addiction
How Porn Impacts the Brain warns about some of the dangers of porn addiction.There is no question that pornography impacts the brain. Research says it’s more addictive than cocaine and it's a habit harder to break than heroin.The U.S. Justice Department believes that 9 out of 10 children see online porn between the ages of 8 and 16.
11 Things NOT To Do When Planning A Wedding
So you’re planning a wedding. Everyone from family and friends to social media is giving you advice so your day can be all that you could ever dream of. Plus, there are a ton of tips and lists out there of all you should do to make your wedding day perfect and memorable. It can…
3 Reasons We’re Getting Married After Living Together
I’m a man who didn’t want to get married. I’ve lived with the mother of my children for 15 years. Fifteen years. Now, I realize the importance of marriage and wish I had gotten married years ago. Reasons I Avoided Marriage I grew up around people that didn’t value marriage. My parents never got married.…
What’s the Difference Between Living Together and Marriage
Romantic relationships are full of big decisions. One decision that’s gonna present itself is A) Do we move in together? and/or B) Do we get married? 59% of adults under the age of 45 have decided to move in together at some point. Then there’s the question: What would change if we got married? Is…
Is Living Together Bad for Your Relationship?
You may be trying to decide: Should we move in together? Or perhaps you already live together and have some questions. Is living together bad for your relationship? Is this going to be good or bad for us? You’ve probably heard lots of strong opinions. Let me be straight-up with you; there’s no simple answer. …
5 Things Every Couple Should Know Before They Move In Together
Living together is pretty common these days. For many, living together is a natural progression in the evolution of their relationship, which may or may not lead to marriage. But it has its own set of complications, and there are things every couple should know before they move in together. I’m not trying to convince…
5 Ways Your Relationship Changes After You Get Married
Your wedding was not the most important day in your marriage. Today is. What if I could tell you about the future of your marriage? For the moment, let’s say I can. (Because I can.) Brace yourself, my newlywed friend. I come from over 25 years in the future of your marriage. What do you…
Do I Have Post-Wedding Blues?
“Post-Wedding Blues” are absolutely a thing. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. And definitely don’t feel bad for feeling them. You don’t need to be worried or secretly guilt-ridden. “Blues” are totally understandable. And you can get your head around your heart. Check this out… Which of these television couples were you just hoping could…
10 Creative Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a great time to get outside the heart-shaped chocolate box and celebrate love and romance in a BIG way! If you want a hand in making this day unique for your Valentine, you’ve come to the right place. These 10 creative ideas will help you connect and play as you set this…
10 Things You Need to Know About Marriage
If you’re dating, in a long-term relationship, or engaged, you may be wondering what marriage is like. You probably have friends with good marriages and those who have so-so marriages. Perhaps you’ve got questions, but you don’t know exactly how to ask. Questions like: Is it hard? Is it worth it? Why get married? Well,…
Is Grit the Secret Ingredient to Successful Relationships?
How gritty are you? Is your marriage gritty? Do you teach your kids to be gritty? In her book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, Harvard-trained psychologist and researcher Angela Duckworth examines what it takes to stick things out and accomplish long-term goals. Grit has everything to do with how we do family relationships. …
5 Do’s And Don’ts Every Engaged Couple Should Know About Preparing For Marriage
You said, “Yes!” Congrats! Now, the planning begins. Where to start? The venue, music, big or small wedding, indoor or outdoor, caterer, DJ or band, wedding cake, dress, tux, bridesmaids, groomsmen… OH MY! Lots of preparation for the big day, but what about preparation for the marriage? What can you do to focus on the…
How To Establish Trust In Marriage From The Start
What’s the difference between a loving, warm marriage and one full of friction and conflict? Trust. There are probably many items on your checklist for having a strong marriage. If there’s one that ought to be at the top of the list, it’s trust. How do you establish trust in marriage from the start? 1.…
We’re Engaged. How Do We Make Sure Our Marriage is Fun?
You’re getting ready to marry the love of your life, and you’ve been reading card after card wishing you a marriage full of love and adventure. With that comes the hope of fulfillment in each other and the desire to have fun, because who wants a boring marriage?! No one… Here are 3 easy things…
How to Find Good Relationship Advice
You want to have good relationships. You want a healthy marriage AND you want to be a great parent, a wonderful friend, fiancé, or co-worker. But relationships are sometimes complex. They aren’t always easy. Issues arise. And if you’re like me, you could just use some help sometimes. The internet gives us ENDLESS information on…
What to Do When You Aren’t Crazy About Your Future In-Laws
When you marry the love of your life, they bring so many different things to the table for the two of you to share. Their personality, adoration for you, commitment, maybe some furniture or experience with things you don’t know how to do. And don’t get me wrong—this sounds lovely (and it is…) until one…
5 Tips For Newly Engaged Couples
Engagement season is upon you—congrats, by the way!! With the pretty ring comes some planning, excitement, questions, and ultimately preparing for marriage! With that being said, here are 5 tips to help newly engaged couples thrive during the engagement season: 1. Have the big conversations before you’re deep into planning. If you haven’t already, make…
4 Ways To Practice Self-Care While Planning A Wedding
If you want your best self to show up on your best day ever, practicing self-care while planning your wedding should be at the top of your to-do list. Planning a day that is ultimately about 8 hours but signifies a lifelong commitment can be stressful, I’ll be the first to admit it, having planned…
30 Romantic Fall Date Ideas For Couples
It’s that time of year! The leaves are changing colors and falling. There’s a cool breeze in the air. Pumpkin spice is the flavor of the season. We’ve moved past the laid-back summer and now it’s FALL, the season of football, fun… and romance. Here are several romantic fall fun date ideas that bring out…
620 Lindsay Street, Suite 100
Chattanooga, TN 37403
423-267-5383
Stay in the know
By engaging with our content or purchasing resources, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy | © 2022 First Things First