Tom and Debi
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Category Archives: Growing Strong Marriages
Six Kisses That Promote Marital Success
Ah! Kissing!! It is what makes a relationship special. When Tom kissed me for the first time I don’t remember much else but this one fact–he loved me! We reserve kisses for those whom we love the most, and this … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Intimacy, Romance, Romantic Ideas
Tagged Intimacy in Marriage, Kissing
1 Comment
When Comfortable Isn’t Good
We are talking about painting the inside of our home. It has been years since we last did it–11 to be exact–and it is time. But considering the colors we want, it will most likely lead to changing furniture, wall … Continue reading
Pruning A Marriage Is Hard Work
It is Spring in FL and everything in our garden needs pruning, weeding, mulching, fertilizing and/or repotting. It can be overwhelming when looked at as a whole. But Tom and I have found that focusing on one thing and completing … Continue reading
Beauty To Behold
It’s the time of year in Florida where we have to prune, trim and weed our yard. Spring comes before the calendar says it’s so, and Saturday was the right time for us to get to work. We enjoy yard … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Conflict, Growing Strong Marriages
Tagged isolation, Marriage help, Pandemic, pruning roses
1 Comment
A Dormant Season
We have a huge, very healthy bougainvillea in our backyard. It is so large it is pushing our new fence and making it difficult to walk by it without getting scratched by it’s enormous thorns. We needed to prune it, … Continue reading
Growth Through Heartache
I referred to it in our last post. Today I want to share the story that took our marriage from the honeymoon stage to the next level of intimacy–growth through heartache. Tom and I wanted children. We had decided on … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Newlyweds, Parenting, Seasons of Life
Tagged heartache, Lasting Love, marriage, Miscarriage
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When Opposites Don’t Attract
The old adage that opposites attract is often said in regard to marriage, and it is true most times. Tom and I couldn’t be more opposite in areas that aren’t important, e.g. how we like our eggs, hot beverage of … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Newlyweds, Troubled Marriage
Tagged Drifting Apart, Pre-marital Counseling questions, When Opposites Don’t Attract
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Forced To Embrace Something I Used To Hate
For one who doesn’t like it, I have had a lot of it in my life. I used to literally hate it. What is this thing I disdained so? Change. In all it’s varying forms I resisted change as much … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages
Tagged #Beholding2021, Change in Marriage
3 Comments
How Advent Informs Our Marriage with Hope
We are in the first week of Advent where we are encouraged to focus on the Hope of the Gospel. Jesus was born of a virgin bringing with Him the hope of the world. It is a lasting hope that … Continue reading
Posted in Advent in Marriage, Christian Marriage, Christmas, Growing Strong Marriages, Holidays
Tagged Advent in Marriage, Hope
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The Well Seasoned Marriage
I find it interesting that Fall brings me such joy. I’ve heard many others say Fall is their favorite season as well. But when it comes to the seasons of marriage I have to ask myself, do I enjoy the … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Seasons of Life
Tagged Fall, Seasons of Marriage, Spring, Summer, Well Seasoned Marriage
4 Comments
No Tricks—All Treats This Halloween
I’ve started to write a post several times and my mind goes blank. Life has been unpredictable this year, and it keeps coming at us. Our youngest daughter gave birth to her first baby at 24 weeks and 5 days … Continue reading
Pandemic Marriage Check Up
Tension. Every marriage faces it. It comes from no where and sometimes settles so thick you could cut it with a knife. Many use words instead, which cuts deeper and always leaves a scar. Pandemics are like a boiler keeping … Continue reading
Make Your Home Welcoming To Others
We have all been spending lots of time in our homes lately. It’s easy to neglect things because you no longer see them as visitors do. So this post is an encouragement to look at your home with fresh eyes. … Continue reading
Making Memories That Last
I haven’t posted in a while because I’ve been on a retreat with several of my dear friends. I am learning to be present wherever I am, and last week I was present with them and with the Lord who … Continue reading
Posted in Cherishing, Christian Marriage, Emotional, Growing Strong Marriages, Intimacy, Love Songs, Music
Tagged Boxes, Goo Goo Dolls, Love Songs, memories, Widowed
1 Comment
A Marriage Many Will Never Know
You may have heard the news about Kelly Clarkson and her husband, Brandon Blackstock, divorcing. She filed for a divorce following the quarantine stating irreconcilable differences. It’s a known fact that celebrities have a harder time keeping the knot tied … Continue reading
Memories That Make Scents
It has been proven that our sense of smell triggers our memories more so than any other sense. I’m not sure why, but I agree. With one whiff of orange blossoms I am taken back to my grandparent’s orange groves … Continue reading
Posted in A Fragrant Aroma, Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Making Scents
Tagged Romance
1 Comment
One More “Let’s Be” to Practice
I’ve been surprised that I haven’t written more during the quarantine. One would think that a writer writes, and only needs time to do so. And that is true, unless you are practicing this final “let’s be”. Let’s be present. … Continue reading
“Let’s Be” These 8 Things Towards Our Spouse
How are you doing in the area of kindness towards your spouse? These have been trying times for everyone and none are affected more by our discontent than our spouse. I have noticed this in my own heart, which has … Continue reading
How Will We Respond In Crisis? The Choice Is Ours
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash[/caption] Today is a guest post by Sheri Bybee Mitchell with Good Job, Mama on Facebook. I met her a while ago after she left an excellent, thought-provoking comment on a post. Since she doesn’t … Continue reading
The Romantic Vineyard 