by Anastasia Strgar

We’ve all been there- one minute we’re going about our lives as we’ve been doing day after day and the next we meet someone who we think is maybe the most amazing thing since sliced bread. They can do no wrong and we’re attracted to them like moths to flames. All we can think about is whether this other person feels the same way about us- do they feel the earth move, the...

by Anastasia Strgar

“All goes onward and outward. Nothing collapses. And to die is different than what anyone supposed… And luckier. They are alive and well somewhere, the smallest sprout shows there really is no death and if ever there was, it lead forward to life…” -Walt Whitman

This is one of my favorite quotes about death, for it transforms the thought of death from one of fear of endings...

By Tina Tessina

Marriage can be frustrating and disappointing, especially if you don’t have the skills to fix it. But giving in to the frustration and leaving may turn out to be the worst thing you ever did.
Consider these reasons to stay:

1. You still love each other. Maybe you’re irritated, frustrated or resentful, but bottom line,
you’d be sad to lose your partner. Don’t give up. What’s wrong...

by Anastasia Strgar

Remaining friends with your friends is just as important as being friends with your partner, which is why it is essential that these two parties meet and become acquainted with one another once it’s clear that you two are together. It’s been said that the friends you have are a good reflection of yourself, which is why getting to know your partner’s friends can actually give...

by Elizabeth Spannuth

I often joke that I am “breaking down gender stereotypes” when I exhibit certain social behaviors that have traditionally been associated with men, such as opening doors or paying the check. Even though these behaviors are more the exception than the rule in these times, the stereotype still persists. I was shocked and amazed earlier this week when my boyfriend broke down the...

by Tinamarie Bernard

When one is young, the idea of a real and abiding love tends to resemble a fairy tale, and there is little room in the predictable lines of a storybook romance for the messy truths that adults sometimes find themselves in. That is because love, by its very nature, surprises. It thrills and moves us in ways unimaginable, and sometimes that means our heart is tugged in two...

I remember someone telling me years ago to choose my battles with my kids. Pick the things that really matter to you and don’t compromise on those. On the others, do the best you can and don’t be surprised how many things you thought were important really aren’t. In the end, the only rule that I was ever 100% consistent about was kindness. The only choice for my children was to work it out. More...

by Tina Tessina

1. What is your definition of commitment?

You and your partner define your relationship.  Know what your relationship means to each of you, to avoid repeating past mistakes, getting stuck in uncomfortable roles, or fighting about what your commitment is. Talk about what you mean by relationship, commitment, love, and faithfulness. You’ll be amazed by what you learn.

2. Have you...

“A kiss can be a comma, a question mark or an exclamation point.  That’s basic spelling that every woman ought to know.” -Jeanne Bourgeois

If ever there was a communication mechanism that predicted the destiny and longevity of a romantic interlude, it is the kiss. What we say with our kisses, as well as how they are received and understood is the basis for all the sexual conversations that they...

Dr. Tammy Nelson

Studies show that more than half of all women and over sixty percent of men will cheat at some point in their marriage.

This seems like a whole lot of people are having affairs.

But it depends on how you define cheating. New concepts for marriage are popping up all over. Polyamory, from the Greek, ‘poly’ meaning ‘many’ and the Latin ‘amour’ meaning ‘love,’ simply means ‘many...

by Tina Tessina

1. Keep it simple: Don’t make your proposal plans too elaborate. The more complicated the proposal plan, the more likely something will go wrong. Make it a private moment, between just you two. You can save the big splash for the engagement announcement. If you guessed wrong about your partner’s willingness, you’ll be disappointed, but at least you won’t be publicly embarrassed.

“Being listened to, is so close to being loved that most people cannot tell the difference.”  -David Oxberg

When I walked into Starbucks today for a late afternoon cup of tea to accompany me on my way home, I walked in on a young barista telling his invisible co-worker in the back room how tired he was of being told what to do. He said, “I don’t want you to give me advice, I just wanted someone to...