Considering these things can help you make a choice that's good for you.
Am I ready to be married… to this guy? Should I take the next step of marriage with her? Am I sure? Is he ready? We get along well, but his career isn’t off the ground yet. She and I have so much fun together. But she isn’t sure if she wants to live in…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/72d9129b-e34f-4047-89be-8fd38b5d98e4-scaled.jpg25923872Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2019-05-10 10:05:552022-03-03 12:13:45How to Know Whether We Should Get Engaged or Not
When planning for a wedding, often wedding vows either seem completely overlooked or a big source of stress from the start. Not only do you have to listen, remember, and repeat a bunch of words in front of hundreds of people, but people expect you to speak them flawlessly! (Side note, if you haven’t seen…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/9c32e752-9084-45d5-901a-658773220712-scaled.jpg14702048Caroline Henryhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngCaroline Henry2019-05-03 12:29:452022-08-23 09:51:16The Death of Traditional Vows (& A Few Tips On Writing Your Own!)
*Note: I’m an early riser. Always have been, always will be. My husband, on the other hand… not so much. Being newlywed and trying to stick to a routine, I’ve learned to let him sleep until I’ve had my coffee, had my shower, and have start working on breakfast. And for about a month, it…
“What are you thinking about?” “Nothing…” Sound familiar? Ever wonder what they’re really thinking about? Well, today, we’re going to find out. Usually, that “nothing,” actually means “nothing important,” and that can actually be a really fun place in their mind for you to see! It’s all about meaningless conversations! Ask any couple, anywhere, at…
5 Things Every Engaged Couple Should Know: 1. Marriage is a magnifier. Some couples think a bad habit or irritating trait will disappear after they say, “I do…” The reality is that marriage is a magnifier – both positively and negatively. See a little bit of this trait while dating or engaged? You’ll be seeing…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/alekon-pictures-yj4kwA4h_Ms-unsplash-3-scaled-e1583872325917.jpg9791707John Daumhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJohn Daum2019-04-02 12:42:402020-10-27 11:25:035 Things Every Engaged Couple Should Know
Dating after divorce or death can be complicated, especially if children are involved. As people navigate the world of dating and blending families, they’ve asked Ron Deal, stepfamily expert and author of Dating and the Single Parent, the following questions plenty of times: How soon is too soon to start dating? Should I introduce this…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/jonathan-j-castellon-be8AmxavYp8-unsplash.jpg8531280Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2019-03-11 06:30:002020-10-09 13:36:26What Single Parents Need to Know About Dating
Over the last two decades there has been a steady increase in the number of couples choosing to live together before marriage, and many of them expect to make a commitment to each other. The catch is that a large number of them decide not to marry. The nagging question becomes, does marriage really make a difference in relationship quality over time? The Census Bureau reports that the percentage of cohabiting adults ages 25 to 34 increased from 12 percent a decade ago to 15 percent in 2018….
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/soroush-karimi-Mx5kwvzeGC0-unsplash-3.jpg8531280Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2019-02-25 06:30:002020-10-13 15:16:39Before You Move in Together…
Connect and fall in love all over again... by talking.
How do you know if love will last? Some say you don’t, that it’s just the luck of the draw. Many believe that the more a couple has in common, the more likely they will be compatible over time. Others say, not so fast. With more than 40 years of love and relationship research under…
Oh, Valentine’s Day – the one day a year it’s okay to wear pink and red together, tell total strangers you love them, and spend way too much money on chocolate. And don’t forget about celebrating your overwhelming, joyous love for your partner! Right? For so many couples, Valentine’s Day is more of a routine…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/freestocks-org-191995-unsplash-1-scaled.jpg13662048Caroline Henryhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngCaroline Henry2019-02-05 11:07:002020-10-15 12:51:345 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day Every Day
“Money, money, money. That’s all we seem to argue about.” “She spends too much money at the grocery store on stuff we don’t need.” “He always wants to eat out.” “She’s always buying new clothes.” “We’re not buying the furniture he wants. It costs too much.” “He won’t let me loan my sister a few…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/rupixen-com-Q59HmzK38eQ-unsplash.jpg8531280Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2019-01-28 11:09:032022-04-22 12:37:27Help! We fight about money all the time…
“I had no idea how much planning was involved in getting married,” remembers Amy Carter. “On top of surviving wedding planing, my fiancé and I were trying to sell my condo so I could move to Nashville. Fortunately, both of our families were very supportive of us as we planned for our big day. I…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/jon-asato-qOcyM8Jjj70-unsplash-1.jpg8531280Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-09-27 00:00:002020-10-27 11:26:244 Keys to Help You Survive Wedding Planning
For many, the first week on the job is full of uncertainties, adjustments and even mistakes. Joining a new sports team or a band is sure to start off with some failed expectations, missed notes or assignments, too. I’ve worked at companies where I had an awful first week. But my time there ended up…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/tyler-nix-29DrUOrcq3c-unsplash.jpg19201280Reggie Madisonhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2018-09-14 09:55:352020-10-26 11:55:49Our honeymoon was awful. Will our marriage be awful, too?
Talking about what each of you expects can set you up for success.
Are you headed down the aisle soon? If you are, whether this is your first marriage or not, you probably have some thoughts rolling around in your brain in terms of what you expect from your soon-to-be spouse. Don’t worry, you aren’t alone.Almost everyone comes to marriage with some pretty specific ideas about how things will be, whether they realize it or not.
How can you know if you’re in an unhealthy dating relationship? Jessica was a junior in college when she started dating Jason. She had her eye on him for a while, thinking he was cute. When he finally asked her out, she was very excited. Within a month of their first date, Jessica’s girlfriends complained…
Every time I introduce myself to a group, I always lead with the fact that I have been married for 24.5 years. I often see wide eyes and hear deep sighs after that. Then I tell them we’ve been together for 30 years, which is often longer than some of the participants have been alive.…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/caique-silva-BgTLoQGuRl4-unsplash-2-e1583954328101.jpg10021280Gena Ellishttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2018-07-31 15:24:032020-10-29 10:08:04Navigating Through Differences in a Relationship
Singles everywhere are bracing themselves for the holiday they dread the most – Valentine’s Day. In the weeks leading up to the holiday, there will be an onslaught of commercials advertising amazing packages couples can take to celebrate their love. If you don’t have a special someone in your life and wish that you did,…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/A-Singles-Guide-for-Valentines-Day.jpg9001400Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-07-23 00:00:002021-11-02 12:08:05A Single’s Guide to Valentine’s Day
After Kerri Crawford’s graduation with a college degree in Child and Family Studies, she planned to earn a minimum salary of $30,000 working with adolescent girls. “I had some pretty grand ideas about how things would go after graduation,” said Crawford. “It was much harder finding a job than I thought it would be, and…
Sara and Ethan* started dating in 2012. One year later, Ethan told Sara he wanted to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. He was seriously considering an out-of-town move. “I was attending a community college at the time, but knew I needed to transfer to a four-year school,” says Sara. “I…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ShouldCouplesLiveTogetherBeforeMarriage-jenna-jacobs-533666-unsplash-e1597425713701.jpg289450Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-07-09 06:30:002020-11-02 15:46:16Should Couples Live Together Before Marriage?
Plan ahead for a strong relationship after the big day.
Looking for ways to strengthen your marriage before it starts? Try these tips to help you prepare for life after the wedding day.First, attend a premarital education class or premarital counseling. Eighty-nine percent of married couples who attended premarital education BEFORE marriage found it to be helpful down the road.
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/man-in-black-suit-putting-crown-flower-on-woman-head-3775261-scaled.jpg13672048Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-07-09 00:00:002022-12-21 08:53:27Prepare for Marriage, Not Just the Wedding
When was the last time you and your mate played together? Seriously… can you remember the last time you did something crazy fun together? In far too many marriages, couples throw play out the window and replace it with serious adult responsibilities like careers, raising children, taking care of elderly parents, household chores and community…
https://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Couples-That-Play-Together-Web-Image-scaled.jpg6302048Julie Baumgardnerhttps://firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJulie Baumgardner2018-07-09 00:00:002022-08-24 09:29:40Couples Who Play Together
How to Know Whether We Should Get Engaged or Not
Am I ready to be married… to this guy? Should I take the next step of marriage with her? Am I sure? Is he ready? We get along well, but his career isn’t off the ground yet. She and I have so much fun together. But she isn’t sure if she wants to live in…
The Death of Traditional Vows (& A Few Tips On Writing Your Own!)
When planning for a wedding, often wedding vows either seem completely overlooked or a big source of stress from the start. Not only do you have to listen, remember, and repeat a bunch of words in front of hundreds of people, but people expect you to speak them flawlessly! (Side note, if you haven’t seen…
The One-Bathroom Apartment Dilemma
*Note: I’m an early riser. Always have been, always will be. My husband, on the other hand… not so much. Being newlywed and trying to stick to a routine, I’ve learned to let him sleep until I’ve had my coffee, had my shower, and have start working on breakfast. And for about a month, it…
The Importance of MeaningLESS Conversations
“What are you thinking about?” “Nothing…” Sound familiar? Ever wonder what they’re really thinking about? Well, today, we’re going to find out. Usually, that “nothing,” actually means “nothing important,” and that can actually be a really fun place in their mind for you to see! It’s all about meaningless conversations! Ask any couple, anywhere, at…
5 Things Every Engaged Couple Should Know
5 Things Every Engaged Couple Should Know: 1. Marriage is a magnifier. Some couples think a bad habit or irritating trait will disappear after they say, “I do…” The reality is that marriage is a magnifier – both positively and negatively. See a little bit of this trait while dating or engaged? You’ll be seeing…
What Single Parents Need to Know About Dating
Dating after divorce or death can be complicated, especially if children are involved. As people navigate the world of dating and blending families, they’ve asked Ron Deal, stepfamily expert and author of Dating and the Single Parent, the following questions plenty of times: How soon is too soon to start dating? Should I introduce this…
Before You Move in Together…
Over the last two decades there has been a steady increase in the number of couples choosing to live together before marriage, and many of them expect to make a commitment to each other. The catch is that a large number of them decide not to marry. The nagging question becomes, does marriage really make a difference in relationship quality over time? The Census Bureau reports that the percentage of cohabiting adults ages 25 to 34 increased from 12 percent a decade ago to 15 percent in 2018….
8 Must-Have Conversations for Couples
How do you know if love will last? Some say you don’t, that it’s just the luck of the draw. Many believe that the more a couple has in common, the more likely they will be compatible over time. Others say, not so fast. With more than 40 years of love and relationship research under…
5 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day Every Day
Oh, Valentine’s Day – the one day a year it’s okay to wear pink and red together, tell total strangers you love them, and spend way too much money on chocolate. And don’t forget about celebrating your overwhelming, joyous love for your partner! Right? For so many couples, Valentine’s Day is more of a routine…
Help! We fight about money all the time…
“Money, money, money. That’s all we seem to argue about.” “She spends too much money at the grocery store on stuff we don’t need.” “He always wants to eat out.” “She’s always buying new clothes.” “We’re not buying the furniture he wants. It costs too much.” “He won’t let me loan my sister a few…
4 Keys to Help You Survive Wedding Planning
“I had no idea how much planning was involved in getting married,” remembers Amy Carter. “On top of surviving wedding planing, my fiancé and I were trying to sell my condo so I could move to Nashville. Fortunately, both of our families were very supportive of us as we planned for our big day. I…
Our honeymoon was awful. Will our marriage be awful, too?
For many, the first week on the job is full of uncertainties, adjustments and even mistakes. Joining a new sports team or a band is sure to start off with some failed expectations, missed notes or assignments, too. I’ve worked at companies where I had an awful first week. But my time there ended up…
Engaged Couples and Expectations
Are you headed down the aisle soon? If you are, whether this is your first marriage or not, you probably have some thoughts rolling around in your brain in terms of what you expect from your soon-to-be spouse. Don’t worry, you aren’t alone.Almost everyone comes to marriage with some pretty specific ideas about how things will be, whether they realize it or not.
8 Warning Signs of Unhealthy Dating Relationships
How can you know if you’re in an unhealthy dating relationship? Jessica was a junior in college when she started dating Jason. She had her eye on him for a while, thinking he was cute. When he finally asked her out, she was very excited. Within a month of their first date, Jessica’s girlfriends complained…
Navigating Through Differences in a Relationship
Every time I introduce myself to a group, I always lead with the fact that I have been married for 24.5 years. I often see wide eyes and hear deep sighs after that. Then I tell them we’ve been together for 30 years, which is often longer than some of the participants have been alive.…
A Single’s Guide to Valentine’s Day
Singles everywhere are bracing themselves for the holiday they dread the most – Valentine’s Day. In the weeks leading up to the holiday, there will be an onslaught of commercials advertising amazing packages couples can take to celebrate their love. If you don’t have a special someone in your life and wish that you did,…
Life After Graduation
After Kerri Crawford’s graduation with a college degree in Child and Family Studies, she planned to earn a minimum salary of $30,000 working with adolescent girls. “I had some pretty grand ideas about how things would go after graduation,” said Crawford. “It was much harder finding a job than I thought it would be, and…
Should Couples Live Together Before Marriage?
Sara and Ethan* started dating in 2012. One year later, Ethan told Sara he wanted to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. He was seriously considering an out-of-town move. “I was attending a community college at the time, but knew I needed to transfer to a four-year school,” says Sara. “I…
Prepare for Marriage, Not Just the Wedding
Looking for ways to strengthen your marriage before it starts? Try these tips to help you prepare for life after the wedding day.First, attend a premarital education class or premarital counseling. Eighty-nine percent of married couples who attended premarital education BEFORE marriage found it to be helpful down the road.
Couples Who Play Together
When was the last time you and your mate played together? Seriously… can you remember the last time you did something crazy fun together? In far too many marriages, couples throw play out the window and replace it with serious adult responsibilities like careers, raising children, taking care of elderly parents, household chores and community…
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