You’re in love, you’re engaged, and you don’t want the butterflies you’ve had all this time to fly away. I mean who would? But sometimes, in the midst of wedding planning and preparing for marriage, you can forget to do the very thing that brought you to this relationship milestone: Date! And that’s what this…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/pexels-jasmine-carter-888923-e1599138867989.jpg228450First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2020-09-03 09:14:392022-02-22 13:07:255 Dates Every Engaged Couple Must Do Before the Big Day
Your wedding day is approaching. You’re looking forward to all the benefits of a fun, stable, vibrant marriage: deep intimacy, unbreakable connection, and unconditional friendship. Taking the time to prepare for your marriage can help you mix all the ingredients necessary for a strong relationship and satisfying marriage. Here’s how – and why preparing for…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/taylor-brandon-rNnoXb3Zq7g-unsplash-scaled-e1599138592732.jpg229450Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2020-09-03 09:10:192021-12-20 16:30:025 Ways Preparing for Marriage Can Make Your Relationship Stronger
Is marriage on your mind for your future? If it is, it doesn’t make a difference whether you’re a single searching for that special someone, in an “endgame” relationship, or perhaps already engaged when it comes to preparing yourself for marriage. If you know in your heart of hearts that you want marriage to be…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/analise-benevides-eNFA3RFYd-A-unsplash-scaled-e1598964520989.jpg675450First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2020-09-01 08:49:012021-05-26 14:58:15How to Prepare Yourself for Marriage
OMG! It finally happened! I’m engaged! There are so many things to do: Venue Bridal Party Flowers Wedding Dress Ceremony and Reception Honeymoon location Once you’re engaged, the focus turns to make sure that the “Wedding of Your Dreams” occurs. Yes, your wedding is important, and there are many details that go into making your…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/pexels-burst-373977-scaled-e1598964259994.jpg300450Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2020-09-01 08:44:432020-10-27 10:49:10How to Prepare for Marriage
*Clink!* Champagne flutes (or rocks glasses if it’s your preference) meet to toast the “Yes!” you just said. Before you even have the chance to sit down, enjoy the butterflies and process what just happened, the congratulations come serendipitously. People begin to ask ALL THE QUESTIONS, poking at what’s next— Have you picked a date?…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/404188-PCTX7A-527-scaled-e1598384620982.jpg203450First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2020-08-25 15:43:472022-04-22 13:14:288 Things No One Tells You About Being Engaged
These things can help you think through what's best for you.
It’s normal to get nervous about important decisions. Asking yourself, “Am I marrying the right person?” is one of those nervy decisions because marriage is a lifelong commitment, not something that will come out easily in the wash if you’ve not made the right choice. So you weigh the odds, make a list of pros…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tanner-ross-BqFurADddWQ-unsplash-1.jpg4411000First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2020-08-18 14:05:022022-01-21 11:44:235 Signs You Should Break Off Your Engagement
Here are some insights on the state of "becoming."
The morning light playfully casts its shadows on my husband’s face. I ask myself, once again, in my half slumber, if this is really my life. My mornings are filled with “I love you’s” and kisses (morning breath and all) and an alarm set purposely to snooze so we can cozy up to each other…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/jonathan-borba-LLBLQAbzfpw-unsplash-scaled-e1597672710464.jpg115362First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2020-08-17 09:58:452022-02-18 09:55:49What I’ve Learned During My First Year of Marriage
2020 might be the year everyone wants to escape from and/or forget for so many reasons. This means we shouldn’t be surprised to learn that many of us are looking for ways to escape the pain and fear. One of the escapes that has seen a dramatic increase in use during the coronavirus pandemic is…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Pandemic-and-Porn-pexels-soumil-kumar-735911-1.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2020-08-12 11:52:122020-10-27 10:51:25What You Need to Know about the Pandemic and Porn
How long should a couple be engaged before getting married? Great question! There isn’t a “magic number” and it doesn’t matter what everyone else is doing. What matters is how well you both really know each other and if you are both ready—individually and relationally—for that big “forever” next step. To help guide you through…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/samuel-rodriguez-3jTLp4o7jDc-unsplash-scaled-e1597092595990.jpg268450First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2020-08-10 16:50:352021-07-29 10:07:46How Long Should A Couple Be Engaged Before Getting Married?
“I just want to do it right, I want to know what I’m supposed to do.” I kept saying this to myself while I was getting ready to be married. Plus, I wanted to prepare myself for anything that could come our way. I wanted a rock solid marriage with a foundation no earthquake could…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vince-fleming-Ago_XP43ae0-unsplash-scaled.jpg13662048First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2020-07-24 14:33:012022-01-07 13:34:35We’re Getting Married And Everyone Is Giving Us Advice
Dating your mate can help your summer get even hotter!
I value my friend who reminded me that summer doesn’t end just because we start talking about our children going back to school. In fact, we are just one month into summer! Summer means different things for different people. For some, summer is about being footloose and fancy-free. For others, summer is composed of trips…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/jonathan-borba-kMnhiuPhzSY-unsplash-scaled-e1595612712392.jpg10742048Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2020-07-24 13:45:432022-05-10 12:00:4210 Date Nights Every Couple Must Do Before Summer Ends
Whether you are thinking about getting married or you have already jumped in with both feet, you may be wondering if it’s really possible to prevent divorce. Or, to put it another way, is it just wishful thinking to believe this is forever? If you have lived through your parents’ divorce, you might be wondering…
While you’re engaged, conversations tend to hover endlessly around the wedding day, and naturally so. Though working out the details and planning your celebration is exciting, having conversations about other topics is important, too. You and your fiancé are stepping into something beautiful—a promise of commitment, a proclamation of loving each other now and falling…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/corryne-wooten-Cl4o_F1fL4I-unsplash-scaled-e1596213926131.jpg278500First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2020-07-20 08:47:452022-05-10 10:21:15Conversations Every Engaged Couple Should Have Before They Say, “I Do”
Fighting with your fiancé all the time, aka, the person you are planning on spending forever with, can feel just exhausting. Planning your wedding, fear of job loss, or navigating unemployment while trying to secure a future together… uncertainty can definitely stir the dust in the air. Just when you think the dust is going…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/AdobeStock_262265119-scaled-e1596212088577.jpeg226400First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2020-07-16 14:25:502022-01-28 14:03:45My Fiancé and I are Fighting All the Time
I just want to feel our love – the love we are spending time, energy, and money on celebrating. I miss the lack of urgency in answering questions and exchanging our ideas to spark conversations instead of polite compromises. When I was in the midst of planning my wedding I didn’t prioritize quality time with…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/jakob-owens-o_cqBHwKnWg-unsplash-scaled-e1596213610624.jpg189500First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2020-07-07 09:23:382022-02-18 09:49:07How to Spend Quality Time with Your Fiancé While Planning a Wedding
Make your conversations more productive with these tips.
It’s nothing new to disagree with the ones you love, whether it’s about current events, religion, guns, racism, politics, football or something else. In fact, chances are pretty good that you completely disagree on certain topics with someone you care deeply about. The disagreements may be so intense you wonder how you can actually co-exist. …
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/disagree-priscilla-du-preez-ZxMASvRPEn4-unsplash-1-e1596214094110.jpg205500Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2020-07-01 06:07:272022-03-18 12:43:35What to Do When You Disagree With the Ones You Love
Start strong – save together for your wedding and your marriage.
Prioritizing your marriage over your wedding is a beautiful place to grow from. While you dream of, save for and plan the wedding day, it can be magical without hurting you financially. You’ll have some of the same conversations you had while planning your wedding when you talk about preparing for marriage. Those “money-saving” talks for…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/man-and-woman-kissing-on-grass-field-3534497-scaled-e1596214549769.jpg233500First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2020-06-26 23:17:352022-03-03 14:27:04Money-Saving Tips for Planning Your Own Wedding
It's a big deal for you and your spouse to be on the same page.
As a young girl, I grew up in a neighborhood that was primarily boys. So, I played football, kickball, basketball and baseball with the guys. Throughout high school and college, I always felt comfortable around guys. They were like big brothers to me. I remember one incident when I was going on a date in…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/people-holding-mugs-1524335-scaled-e1596214792211.jpg200500Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2020-06-23 14:46:312021-11-23 09:39:00How Opposite-Sex Friendships Change After You Get Married
Marriage is the best! But it’s not perfect. If you’re engaged, I think it’s only fair someone breaks the news to you. There are some definite misconceptions about marriage you should know before you say, “I do.” Having recently been in your shoes (about a year ago now), I’m glad to have figured this out!…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/noah-d-h-o9wM2j4Tf3Y-unsplash-scaled-e1596214989100.jpg251450First Things Firsthttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngFirst Things First2020-06-22 09:45:532021-01-08 14:34:225 Common Misconceptions You Should Know About Marriage Before You Say “I Do”
Knowing these things can help you enjoy your engagement season.
Being engaged is like being in limbo. You’re excited to be engaged but more excited to be married. It’s a season of anticipation and possibly a lot of frustration if you aren’t careful. My husband Tyler and I just celebrated our first wedding anniversary. I can confidently say that being married is way better than…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/man-and-woman-holding-hands-together-888923-1-e1596224682571.jpg275500Sarah Hamhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngSarah Ham2020-06-11 10:44:462021-03-30 09:54:573 Things I Wish I Had Done Differently While I Was Engaged
5 Dates Every Engaged Couple Must Do Before the Big Day
You’re in love, you’re engaged, and you don’t want the butterflies you’ve had all this time to fly away. I mean who would? But sometimes, in the midst of wedding planning and preparing for marriage, you can forget to do the very thing that brought you to this relationship milestone: Date! And that’s what this…
5 Ways Preparing for Marriage Can Make Your Relationship Stronger
Your wedding day is approaching. You’re looking forward to all the benefits of a fun, stable, vibrant marriage: deep intimacy, unbreakable connection, and unconditional friendship. Taking the time to prepare for your marriage can help you mix all the ingredients necessary for a strong relationship and satisfying marriage. Here’s how – and why preparing for…
How to Prepare Yourself for Marriage
Is marriage on your mind for your future? If it is, it doesn’t make a difference whether you’re a single searching for that special someone, in an “endgame” relationship, or perhaps already engaged when it comes to preparing yourself for marriage. If you know in your heart of hearts that you want marriage to be…
How to Prepare for Marriage
OMG! It finally happened! I’m engaged! There are so many things to do: Venue Bridal Party Flowers Wedding Dress Ceremony and Reception Honeymoon location Once you’re engaged, the focus turns to make sure that the “Wedding of Your Dreams” occurs. Yes, your wedding is important, and there are many details that go into making your…
8 Things No One Tells You About Being Engaged
*Clink!* Champagne flutes (or rocks glasses if it’s your preference) meet to toast the “Yes!” you just said. Before you even have the chance to sit down, enjoy the butterflies and process what just happened, the congratulations come serendipitously. People begin to ask ALL THE QUESTIONS, poking at what’s next— Have you picked a date?…
5 Signs You Should Break Off Your Engagement
It’s normal to get nervous about important decisions. Asking yourself, “Am I marrying the right person?” is one of those nervy decisions because marriage is a lifelong commitment, not something that will come out easily in the wash if you’ve not made the right choice. So you weigh the odds, make a list of pros…
What I’ve Learned During My First Year of Marriage
The morning light playfully casts its shadows on my husband’s face. I ask myself, once again, in my half slumber, if this is really my life. My mornings are filled with “I love you’s” and kisses (morning breath and all) and an alarm set purposely to snooze so we can cozy up to each other…
What You Need to Know about the Pandemic and Porn
2020 might be the year everyone wants to escape from and/or forget for so many reasons. This means we shouldn’t be surprised to learn that many of us are looking for ways to escape the pain and fear. One of the escapes that has seen a dramatic increase in use during the coronavirus pandemic is…
How Long Should A Couple Be Engaged Before Getting Married?
How long should a couple be engaged before getting married? Great question! There isn’t a “magic number” and it doesn’t matter what everyone else is doing. What matters is how well you both really know each other and if you are both ready—individually and relationally—for that big “forever” next step. To help guide you through…
We’re Getting Married And Everyone Is Giving Us Advice
“I just want to do it right, I want to know what I’m supposed to do.” I kept saying this to myself while I was getting ready to be married. Plus, I wanted to prepare myself for anything that could come our way. I wanted a rock solid marriage with a foundation no earthquake could…
10 Date Nights Every Couple Must Do Before Summer Ends
I value my friend who reminded me that summer doesn’t end just because we start talking about our children going back to school. In fact, we are just one month into summer! Summer means different things for different people. For some, summer is about being footloose and fancy-free. For others, summer is composed of trips…
Can You Really Prevent Divorce?
Whether you are thinking about getting married or you have already jumped in with both feet, you may be wondering if it’s really possible to prevent divorce. Or, to put it another way, is it just wishful thinking to believe this is forever? If you have lived through your parents’ divorce, you might be wondering…
Conversations Every Engaged Couple Should Have Before They Say, “I Do”
While you’re engaged, conversations tend to hover endlessly around the wedding day, and naturally so. Though working out the details and planning your celebration is exciting, having conversations about other topics is important, too. You and your fiancé are stepping into something beautiful—a promise of commitment, a proclamation of loving each other now and falling…
My Fiancé and I are Fighting All the Time
Fighting with your fiancé all the time, aka, the person you are planning on spending forever with, can feel just exhausting. Planning your wedding, fear of job loss, or navigating unemployment while trying to secure a future together… uncertainty can definitely stir the dust in the air. Just when you think the dust is going…
How to Spend Quality Time with Your Fiancé While Planning a Wedding
I just want to feel our love – the love we are spending time, energy, and money on celebrating. I miss the lack of urgency in answering questions and exchanging our ideas to spark conversations instead of polite compromises. When I was in the midst of planning my wedding I didn’t prioritize quality time with…
What to Do When You Disagree With the Ones You Love
It’s nothing new to disagree with the ones you love, whether it’s about current events, religion, guns, racism, politics, football or something else. In fact, chances are pretty good that you completely disagree on certain topics with someone you care deeply about. The disagreements may be so intense you wonder how you can actually co-exist. …
Money-Saving Tips for Planning Your Own Wedding
Prioritizing your marriage over your wedding is a beautiful place to grow from. While you dream of, save for and plan the wedding day, it can be magical without hurting you financially. You’ll have some of the same conversations you had while planning your wedding when you talk about preparing for marriage. Those “money-saving” talks for…
How Opposite-Sex Friendships Change After You Get Married
As a young girl, I grew up in a neighborhood that was primarily boys. So, I played football, kickball, basketball and baseball with the guys. Throughout high school and college, I always felt comfortable around guys. They were like big brothers to me. I remember one incident when I was going on a date in…
5 Common Misconceptions You Should Know About Marriage Before You Say “I Do”
Marriage is the best! But it’s not perfect. If you’re engaged, I think it’s only fair someone breaks the news to you. There are some definite misconceptions about marriage you should know before you say, “I do.” Having recently been in your shoes (about a year ago now), I’m glad to have figured this out!…
3 Things I Wish I Had Done Differently While I Was Engaged
Being engaged is like being in limbo. You’re excited to be engaged but more excited to be married. It’s a season of anticipation and possibly a lot of frustration if you aren’t careful. My husband Tyler and I just celebrated our first wedding anniversary. I can confidently say that being married is way better than…
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