The summer months have flown by for our family.   At the end of each summer, I (Erin) love to reflect back and remember all of the fun things we did as a family-going to the pool, fishing together, weekend get-a-ways, etc.  I would love summer to go on forever, and I hate that “all good things much come to an end!” 

As the summer months concludes and we move into a “new” season of school, fall weather, etc, there are many opportunities to “make new” which means “coming or occurring afresh; further.”  For me, the fall does feel like “coming afresh and going further”-especially with my time commitments.  There are those set in stone commitments that cannot change; however, I love the challenge of creating more time for my top priorities like my marriage and my kids. 

What Have You Done for Your Marriage Today?

As you enter into this “fresh new season,” we at NWA Healthy Marriages would like to challenge you to take time to prioritize your marriage.  As you plan out the fall, make sure to schedule the time in for dates, conversations, dinners together or even a NWA Healthy Marriages event!  Research shows that 20 minutes of daily “face to face” time can significantly increase marital satisfaction.  Make your marriage a priority as you enter into this “new season”!

Tell Us About Your Marital Successes! We would love to hear about the dreams you have for your marriage, so join us on our website, blog or facebook page to share these with us!

The One. We spend much of our young lives searching for this mythical counterpart to our hearts, and when we finally say our “I Do’s,” we begin to question if we gave up our search too quickly. We begin to wonder why marriage is so difficult, thinking that it would be easier if we were matched up with our soul mate. But where did we get this idea that there is only one person out there for us? Let me point a finger…

Hollywood has ingrained this notion into us, telling us that we must find that one person out there, and then life will become much easier.  For, after all, all we need is love, right?  But when marital troubles arise and difficulties ensue, we tell ourselves “I did not sign up for this.  It would be easier if we were meant to be.” 

Marriage is hard.  Hollywood can try to hide it, but reality will always prevail.  Love is certainly a necessary ingredient in a healthy marriage, but it cannot overcome the everyday routines, the unrealistic expectations, or the meshing of two different people.  When you find yourself in a difficult time in marriage, remember that you are not alone.  All marriages go through rough patches.  But do not give up on your marriage or your spouse.  Take some time to adjust your expectations of your marriage.  Try not to let Hollywood dictate the rhythm of your marriage.