As she finished preparing her lunch, Maya heard the kitchen door open. That has to be Nate. What’s he doing home? She turned slowly. His face was an unreadable mix of emotions. “Well, it finally happened. I was laid off.” Of all the challenging situations a couple faces together, one of the most difficult is…
It’s no secret that money can cause friction in marriage. In fact, many husbands and wives essentially manage finances separately, just to avoid that friction! And while doing that can be tempting (and I mean really tempting!), our Thriving in Love & Money research shows that handling money independently breaks the very trust that binds us…
Happy Independence Day week! Independence works well for nations in many ways, but can cause issues in marriage. And we’ve sadly seen in our own nation how easy it is for the United States of America to splinter when the parties within it become their own independent factions instead of fighting for that unity. So…
In a few days, Americans will celebrate the Fourth of July. With fireworks, flags, and a whole lot of barbecue, we will cheerfully commemorate our country’s heritage– our independence. What we may not realize is just how much this basic American value has shaped our relationships. Independence can be a valuable attribute in many contexts…
Sixteen years ago, in December of 2004, I met a remarkable woman who drove from Nashville to Atlanta to visit with me. Three months before, I had published my first relationship book, For Women Only, which was quickly becoming one of those unexpected best-sellers that turns your life upside down. Only I had no idea…
This is the 5th and final part of a series that looks at the research-based solutions to navigating this trying time in our lives and marriages—and emerging stronger. Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 here. Feel free to share this with those who might benefit! As we noted last time, one…