Couples

 
 

Does Valentine's Turn a Woman into a Despotic Venus in Furs?

Alessandro Allori (Flickr)

He and I don't feel cherished because of the flowers he sends, the meals he makes or the little gifts that I get him. It's about the time we spend arranging those flowers in a vase, sharing those meals, and playing with those little gifts. Valentine's Day isn't about stuff and it shouldn't be. It should be about reminding ourselves that our relationships matter.  Read more >

Anti-Gay Marriage Proposition 8 Ruled Unconstitutional

Today holds particular importance to families like mine. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled today that Proposition 8 -- a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in California -- is not valid under the U.S. Constitution, a step that could lead to the right to marry nationwide.  Read more >

The Re-​​Appearing Act: When An Ex Returns

Photo by Enrique Gutierrez

At some point in many of our lives, we will find some­one to whom we are des­per­ately attracted, and yet who end­lessly hurts or exhausts us. The stakes seem so high, the desire is so deep, but so too the pain. In her diaries, Anais Nin writes of Henry Miller: "this love will either kill or save me forever." Which will it be? Will the love slowly eat at your soul as you fruitlessly con­tinue to search for the grail while suf­fo­cat­ing in its tomb -- or will it give you the courage to cru­sade, to fight to the death, and to dis­cover some­thing truly sacred?  Read more >

Talking about Debt with Your Partner

Working through debt together (Shutterstock)

Talking about finances with your partner is not easy. What is the best way to approach discussions about money, debt, and spending with your partner?  Read more

Marriage Contracts: Should We Should Have Marital Term Limits?

Courthouse Fountain

Last year marked my ten-year wedding anniversary. I love the legal protections of marriage -- no one argues that my husband can't visit me in the hospital or shouldn't be able to pick something up for me or inherit my money. I love the psychological aspect of marriage, too -- but it's the LEGAL aspect of marriage that ups the ante societally from living together. The legal aspect is also the part that I think we should change: We should have marital term limits.  Read more >

Thinking About Cheating? Read This

Ed Yourdon (Flickr)

Cheating is an all too common problem for people in long-term relationships. In this piece on the Post-Divorce Chronicles, Lee Block digs deep into the heart of cheating: a reason is never a justification.  Read more

Chronic Illness and Keeping the Marriage Thriving

time out together by Jason Goldman

"Dating" your spouse when dealing with a chronic illness or pain can be difficult, and often falls pretty low on the priority list of things to do. These are some ideas for keeping the passion alive in a marriage affected by chronic illness. What are yours?  Read more >

He Wants to Watch Porn Together but I Don't!

TV Eye by Goldsardine (Flickr)

They've been together for seven years and seemingly out of nowhere, he has decided that the best thing for their sex life is to watch porn together. The problem? She gave it a shot, but instead of discovering she enjoyed it, she was assured she never wanted to do it again! What is a girl to do when our ideas of foreplay or sex aids don't match up?  Read more >

Is Moving in Together a Good Idea?

Boxes by Jessica Spengler (Flickr)

It would be excellent if there was an equation, a check list, or some elaborate chart to complete on a spreadsheet in this post to help you determine whether it's a good idea to move in with someone. But there isn't. This is only a story about how I finally decided to take that step.  Read more >

Three Interactive Ways to Spice Things up in Bed

Love Kit via AHAlife

Fall is gaining ground, but that doesn't mean things need to cool down one bit. In fact, now that summer is drawing to a close, we think it's time to take things up a notch, and here are some ideas for going about doing just that.  Read more >