Jill: I think it’s accurate to say that most of our conversations as Mark & Jill 1.0 (before our crisis) were not very emotionally-safe conversations. But now as Mark & Jill 2.0 (since we have been intentionally investing in our marriage), our conversations...
Ask any parent and they will tell you all the things they have sacrificed for their newborn, toddler, child, teen, or young adult. When Mark and I were in the thick of parenting, we often sacrificed our time, energy, finances, and more for our family. We still do at...
If there is one principle I have learned in nearly 40 years of marriage, it’s the principle that love is a choice. It’s a decision. It is not a feeling. Dr. Gary Chapman believes that as well because Love Is a Choice is the name of his newest book. Dr. Gary Chapman is...
Years of mentoring hurting couples and navigating our own hurting relationship have led us to conclude that the number one cause of divorce isn’t money or sex or infidelity or even communication. These are all secondary issues of the deeper issue. They are symptoms of...
When Mark and I went through the dark season in our marriage, it’s no surprise that we sought out counseling. However, what most people find surprising is that our counselor focused more on untangling our childhoods than our skills as a couple. That was exactly what...
In the past, we have shared about some shifts we have made to our evening routine to feel better connected in our marriage. We thought it’s about time we talk about better connecting in the morning as well! The mornings are such an important part of the day for...
Easter is a really special time for Mark and I in our marriage. If you’ve read our story, you know that Easter Sunday a little over a decade ago was the day that Mark had his own personal resurrection in his life after pursuing an affair. It was the day that he...
Jill: One of our favorite ways to support marriages is through our Marriage 2.0 Intensives. Whether a couple is in crisis or not, these intensives move good marriages to become great and hurting marriages to find the hope and help they need. They are hosted at our...
Jill: In every marriage, prayer is one of the most powerful tools we have in our toolbox. When we pray (together or on our own), we have the opportunity to align our own desires to God’s. We also have the opportunity to talk directly to God lifting up to Him...
For this #MarriageMonday, we’re sharing an adapted excerpt of Is There Really Sex After Kids? In the midst of diapers, dishes, and soccer games, how do we find emotional oneness? How do we deepen our intimacy level outside the bedroom? Intimacy builders help us...
Once we get married, it’s important that we continue to grow emotionally, as that will strengthen our ability to relate to our partner. Today’s #MarriageMonday is about evaluating your past in order to have a great future. Mark: Have you ever done an internship in...
Feeling connected in a marriage is essential. However, there are many threats that can undermine this connection and lead to a feeling of distance. In today’s #MarriageMonday, we’re exploring five of the main reasons couples lose that feeling of...
Mark: With the Thanksgiving weekend behind us, we officially find ourselves in the Christmas season. There’s just something about this time of year: The tree is up, the decorations are out, and everything just feels a little extra cozy. Jill: We’ve had to...
The holidays can bring out conflict within a marriage. With both Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner, how can we approach that conflict with a lens of gratitude? In today’s #MarriageMonday, we’re exploring five steps to shift our perspective...
As we release this #MarriageMonday, it’s Halloween. Pumpkins are being carved and many kids and even families are excited to wear their themed costumes to go trick-or-treating. (If you’re into those sorts of things, of course.) As spider webs embellish the...
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
