Four Terrifying Marriage Proposals

While surfing on the Internet I found a list of the “scariest marriage proposals” compiled by MSN. Given that this was just before Halloween, I thought they would have a spooky vibe. Well, I was wrong, though they were certainly scary. The four real-life marriage proposals were as follows: 1) A pilot took his girlfriend up for a ride in his small plane, pretended they were crashing, and handed his girlfriend an emergency checklist. His proposal was written on the list: “initiate ring engagement procedure.” 2) A stuntman faked a car crash and his subsequent death. His girlfriend was called … Continue reading

Saving a Marriage

It seems like everywhere I turn lately, there are marriage problems…serious ones. Couples that you would never imagine considering divorce seem to be on that path. I recently met with a woman who had filed for divorce but then stopped it. She is willing, although very reluctantly, to give her husband a chance to work on his issues. They are serious, difficult issues. My heart feels for her. It is painful to see her pain. It would be easy for me to say, “Get out while you can.” But I tend to be of the mindset that you should first … Continue reading

Funny Quotes about Marriage

Marriage is something we should take seriously—we should be serious in our commitment, in our devotion, in our determination to do our best every day to keep our relationship strong. However, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have a little fun with it from time to time—humor is an essential part of any relationship. Here are some funny marriage quotes I found that will hopefully put a smile on your face and help you keep marriage in a lighthearted perspective. A dress that zips up the back will bring a husband and wife together. — James H. Boren A journey is … Continue reading

A Different View on Marriage

When I first seriously thought about writing for the Marriage blog, a topic that essentially breaks down into being about love and relationships, my initial reaction was “Eugh!” So then what am I doing here? Upon deeper examination, I realized that my reaction was not to writing about marriage and love itself, but to the forms in which that usually occurs. I don’t really go for lovey-dovey type stuff, and in many ways my husband and I have a somewhat nontraditional, or at least a different, relationship (though in many other ways we’re very traditional). I’m so passionate on this … Continue reading

More Hollywood Splits Plus One Marriage

I just want to finish my “In Memoriam 2011” series, but celebs just won’t stop announcing splits. First up is Debra Messing. The “Will and Grace” actress announced she split from hubby of 10 years, actor-television producer Daniel Zelman. The two met while students at New York University and dated for years before making it official in 2000. They have a seven-year-old son, Roman. But, this breakup will be a bit like a Demi/Bruce one in that it seems to be terribly amicable. So much so that the couple have been separated for most of 2011, but still lived together. … Continue reading

Kim Kardashian Makes a Mockery of Marriage

Not only has Kim Kardashian made a mockery of marriage but she has duped many. Just 72 days into her marriage with NBA star, Kris Humphries, she has filed for divorce. 72 days??? Many are accusing Kardashian of getting married for the sheer publicity. Of course, it didn’t hurt that she also received some freebies and deep discounts for promoting certain products. She even made a ton of money selling pictures of their wedding. According to some, she may have earned as much as $18 million from getting married. Isn’t it usually the other way around, that we spend money … Continue reading

Home is Where the Heart is

This afternoon, I had the opportunity to do a book signing at our local Barnes and Noble bookstore. There were piles of authors there and I was having a great time visiting with them and with the customers, but then I saw my husband and kids walk in, and my heart just melted. What a good-looking family I have. How blessed I am to be so supported in the things I do and to come home to these incredible people. There are times when I’m not quite so grateful. I’ll confess to being utterly frustrated, downright perturbed, and through-the-roof stressed … Continue reading

Marriage and Happiness – is it possible?

While divorce is nothing new in this country, when I read about long-term marriages coming to an end, ala the Gore’s, the Schwarzenegger’s, and the Edward’s, I start to wonder if it is even possible to stay married forever anymore. I hear a lot about the “old days’, but I have a lot of grandparents due to multiple re-marriages. My great-grandparents remained together, but one spouse died long before the other. So maybe those that stay married forever over a real long time period are the anomalies. Maybe now that we live longer and more women are able to support … Continue reading

Withholding Intimacy in Marriage

Have you fallen into the trap of withholding physical intimacy from your spouse when things aren’t going your way? Do you ever use it as a bargaining tool or as a punishment? This is destructive to the relationship in so many ways. Sex can bring a couple together, both physically and emotionally, like no other act on earth. When each partner participates with love, with a desire to share with the other person, and with the intent to make it a meaningful experience, it can be an amazing balm to the relationship. The husband and wife both feel more peaceful … Continue reading

Are You a Good PR Person for Marriage?

As I was writing the blog for Christian families the other week, I thought that the same thing can be applied to marriage. Whether we like it or not others are watching the way we relate to each other. We may think people don’t take any notice but if we think that, we’d be wrong. Others and particularly our own children are watching closely to see how marriage works or how it doesn’t. What do they see? Do they see a marriage that is harmonious where decisions are made together? Do they see a division of chores and labor, so … Continue reading