Advice at FRIENDS & Lovers

‘Marriage Repair’

As my husband and I drove past some property we own, I asked an innocent enough question: “What’s going on over there?” He responded that one of the tenants was having their propane tanks refilled. That would have been a reasonable explanation except the truck I saw was an air conditioning service van.
Read more… »

Something horrible happens to many marriages just after the vows are said: the marriage starts falling apart. Amazingly, the very act of legalizing a relationship can start its downfall.
Read more… »

Life is about compromises. In a successful marriage each person will be required at various times to compromise on issues that are important to them as well as numerous others that are fairly insignificant.
Read more… »

Routine maintenance in the average household is ongoing. The heating and cooling system is checked annually or semi-annually. The pest control company comes by quarterly to make sure the home is pest free. The pool company comes weekly to clean and chlorine.
Read more… »

“Love Story” with Ali McGraw and Ryan O’Neal was a very popular movie in the 1960’s. The most famous line in the movie is the often repeated “Love means you never have to say you’re sorry.”
Read more… »

In my opinion, the Golden Rule should be the first rule you should follow if you want to have a successful marriage. There are many versions throughout history, in various religions, and in most cultures, but all versions basically distill to: Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You.
Read more… »

When I was doing research for a cheating spouse feature it seemed most of the advice, suggestions and even “spy” techniques I found were aimed at gathering evidence that could be used to justify divorce.
Read more… »

He said his wife’s brother is going through a very nasty divorce that is threatening his 17-year marriage. He says too many things have gone wrong when he’s tried to be a friend to his brother-in-law for him to want to be friends with him and his new girlfriend. He and his wife are unable to come to acceptable terms about the situation.
Read more… »

Life is too short ? no matter how long in physical years it may run ? to stay in an unhappy marriage. This does not mean that I believe every marriage with conflict should end in divorce. Each of us must evaluate our own situation and then make the decision to either make our marriage work or end it and move forward taking the knowledge we have gained with us so that our next marriage can be successful.
Read more… »

Whew! You never thought you’d get to this spot, but you’re here! Married. Committed. “‘Til death do you part.” Time to relax, take it easy, all the hard work’s done. Wrong! The hard work is just beginning! Keeping the sizzle and romance in a marriage is a full time job, and a lot more difficult than keeping the flame in courtship.
Read more… »

For some people, “I do” spells the end of a perfect relationship. Some couples should never get married. Or, at least, not until they understand how marriage is going to change the way they “see” each other.
Read more… »

Have you noticed how people change when they get married? Not all changes are bad, they’re a part of becoming a good wife or good husband. But sometimes, a person changes so much that their spouse is unable to remember exactly what it was about them that they loved so much in the first place.
Read more… »

If your marriage has turned into an endurance contest, where each day is stressful and all you can think about is escape, it’s likely time to define just how much you’re willing to do before calling it quits. In other words, define your bottom line for your marriage.
Read more… »

Marriage is possibly the least understood, and most unprepared for, career choice a person can make. Don’t be fooled by the warm fuzzy feelings or the sexual energy of a good relationship. Marriage is hard work.
Read more… »

Her husband wants a divorce because he says they don’t communicate and he’s frustrated. She admits that she leaves the room rather than take part in arguments with him. Now she complains that he never let her know how he felt.
Read more… »