Tom and Debi
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Category Archives: Newlyweds
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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Five Friday Favorites – Firsts
This week we celebrated the 41st anniversary of our first date. While out to dinner tonight I told Tom if there was any day I could watch as it happened, I would love to see our first date. What did … Continue reading
Have You Ever Asked Your Spouse This?
Yesterday we had lunch with friends and this question came up… When have you been the most afraid? It was a good question that led to an hour-long discussion involving lots of emotion. Some had had near-death experiences involving themselves … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Intimacy, Newlyweds, Seasons of Life, Sexual Intimacy
Tagged asking good questions, questions open the door to deeper intimacy, Sexual intimacy, wedding night fear
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Happy Hour
Gary Thomas Taking Action – this post is challenging and practical for wives, but it also can apply to husbands if you change the gender as you read. Here is a quote to whet your appetite for more: Your future … Continue reading
Posted in Blog Love, Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Happy Hour, Newlyweds
Tagged Gary Thomas, Loving Him Well, marriage, Newlywed advice, Sheila Gregoire
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Is Your Marriage Self-Insured?
Last September we took a direct hit by Hurricane Irma. Considering all the damage many experienced, ours was minimal. It wasn’t until January when we had a week of rain that we discovered our roof was leaking. Tom called our … Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Encouragement, Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Encouraging Your Spouse, In Sickness, Newlyweds, Seasons of Life, The Gospel & Marriage
Tagged All In, Hurricane Irma, marriage, Self-insurance
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Is Your Marriage All In?
There is growing tendency in newly married couples to stay independent financially, socially and emotionally. This is cause for great concern. Let me explain… When we said, I Do, we were committing to a new way of life. We were … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Newlyweds, Priorities, Seasons of Life, Showing Honor, Temptation
Tagged Dependence in Marriage, Finances in marriage, Independence in Marriage, Joint Checking Accounts, Priority of Your Spouse
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Decades Of Marriage – The First Ten Years
A decade is a long time–ten years, to be exact and much happens in this span of time. Just consider the past ten years of your life? Where were you in 2006? How have you changed? How has your marriage … Continue reading
A Surprise Wedding
This video is precious and celebrates the joy it is to marry the one you know God has given to you. It’s 30 minutes long, but well worth watching every minute. See how this man loves his bride, and see … Continue reading
Posted in Celebrations, Christian Marriage, Newlyweds, Romance, Romantic Ideas, Seasons of Life
Tagged Surprise Wedding
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A Letter To My Newlywed Self – Age 19
I was thinking recently about the whole idea of reflecting on what I would say to my 21 year old self from the vantage point of today. It made me wonder what I would say to my newlywed self about … Continue reading
My Spouse Has Little Or No Desire For Sex
In our culture, with all the emphasis on sex, you wouldn’t think this is as big of an issue as it actually is. Yet no one wants to talk about it. Except, of course, for the spouse who is having … Continue reading
Posted in Aging, Blog Love, Christian Marriage, communication, Conflict, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Newlyweds, Seasons of Life, Sexual Intimacy, Troubled Marriage
Tagged God, High sex drive, Intimate relationship, Low sex drive, marriage, Sex problems in marriage, Sexual intimacy, Sexual Intimacy in Marriage
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25+ Ways To Bless Your Spouse When You’re Expecting
There is nothing that changes the dynamic of your marriage so quickly as hearing these two words: We’re pregnant! Within days the morning sickness (or all day sickness, in some cases) kicks in and the wife is taken out of her … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Diapers, Toddlers & Romance, Oh My, Encouraging Your Spouse, Growing Strong Marriages, Husbands, Newlyweds, Parenting, Priorities, Roles In Marriage, Seasons of Life, Showing Honor, The Gospel & Marriage, Wives
Tagged Christ, Fruit of the Holy Spirit, God, Holy Spirit, Lord, marriage, Marriage and Pregnancy, Pregnancy, We're Expecting, Wife
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I’ll Do It If You Notice
In a marriage it’s important that each partner knows what is expected of them in order for the home to work well. You may do most of the inside tasks, while your spouse takes care of the ones outside. Or … Continue reading
What Weddings Can Help Us See
Today we have the privilege of witnessing the vows of our life-long friends’ daughter. It is a day to celebrate, because on this day her parents will receive the reward from their years of investment in her life. As he … Continue reading
Embracing the Moment
When a couple stands at the altar to exchange wedding vows, both promise many things to each other. Some share traditional vows and others write in their own words from the heart. Their focus is on the future and all … Continue reading
Marriage Is Only A Shadow
This newly married husband shares a toast at his wedding reception that accurately communicates the beauty of marriage. If all couples had this mindset on their wedding day, there would be no divorce.
The De-Masking Of Prince Charming
Each of us on a specific day of a specific year stood before others and exchanged our marriage vows. Most likely we were full of great anticipation of this being our fairy tale come true. We were committing our life … Continue reading
The Romantic Vineyard 