when you marry your family loyalty shifts. Bride and groom holding hands.

Marriage and Family Loyalty

Marriage Dynamics InstituteCommitment, Communication, Conflict, Connection, Family, Finances, Marriage Health, Weddings

In marriage, there should be no doubt about family loyalty. Because when you get married, primary loyalty shifts from family of origin to the new family unit. Your spouse becomes your immediate family, and your first loyalty. And while your spouse will not be your only friend in life, they really should be your best friend, and your closest companion. …

Older couple walking on beach.- close together.

From Separation to Sharing the Love: A Dynamic Marriage Journey

Marriage Dynamics InstituteCommitment, Communication, Connection, Faith, Family, Forgiveness, Humility, Intimacy, Marriage Counseling, Marriage Courses, Marriage Health, Quality Time, Reconnecting, Selfishness, Separation, Uncategorized

Every Dynamic Marriage journey has a “before” story. For *Greg and Kate Watts, the story began when they met in 1976. According to them, it was love at first sight. We enjoyed being together and spending hours in great conversation.  We shared the same sense of humor.  Our interests were similar.  We enjoyed going to church together and our personalities …

What kind of legacy will your marriage leave?

The Gift of A Strong Marriage (Part 3) Legacy

Marriage Dynamics InstituteCommitment, Faith, Family, Hope, Loss, Marriage Health, When Life is Difficult

Legacy is often thought of in financial terms. It’s the money or the property or the family heirlooms left behind when someone dies. And while that is true,  legacy is not always something you can hold in your hand. Because legacy is what you pass down to those who come after you. That might include money and property, but it …

Gratitude journal.

Gratitude: It’s Good for your Marriage

Marriage Dynamics InstituteCommunication, Connection, Contentment, Family, Gratitude, Holidays, Listening, Marriage Health

‘Tis the season for gratitude, aka Thanksgiving. And traditionally, Thanksgiving is marked by gathering around the holiday table with family and friends. (And watching football games on television. While enjoying another piece of pie.) Hopefully, in the midst of all the food and fun, we take time to give thanks for our blessings. Because Thanksgiving is all about gratitude. But …

The holidays can put extra stress on your marriage.

Make the Holidays Easier on Your Marriage

Marriage Dynamics InstituteCommunication, Conflict, Connection, Contentment, Family, Finances, Holidays, Quality Time

Does your blood pressure rise when you look up and realize there are Christmas decorations out at your local big-box store, and it’s only OCTOBER?  And feeling pressure to catch the Christmas spirit does not seem to make the holidays easier.  Healthline surveyed more than 2,200 people and found that nearly 65% of people feel moderate or significant amounts of …

Man battling depression

If Depression is Affecting Your Marriage, It’s Time to Get Help

MattFamily, Marriage Health, Uncategorized

If you or your spouse is battling depression, you are not alone…. Dwayne Johnson probably isn’t quite a household name yet, but he’s got to be getting close. Having appeared in more than 50 movies and television shows, Johnson is the star of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. The 2017 film is the sequel to the 1995 offering featuring the …

Couple reading Bible together - spiritual growth

How to Grow Closer Together Spiritually

Marriage Dynamics InstituteFaith, Family, Uncategorized

Spiritual growth in your marriage starts with you…. Achieving spiritual intimacy with your spouse is a fantastic goal. It’s a gift many long for but never seem to find. You can meet this lofty summit, but it doesn’t start with two. It begins with one. You. While it’s great to get to a point where you and your spouse are …

Married couple - National Marriage Week 2018

Celebrating National Marriage Week 2018!

Deb PattersonFamily, Marriage Health, Uncategorized

It’s National Marriage Week! National Marriage Week 2018 (Feb. 7-14) is a great time to celebrate one of God’s most precious gifts to us—marriage! This annual celebration raises awareness of the need to build stronger marriages and reduce the divorce rate, which in turn benefits children and helps curtail poverty. Chuck Stetson, chairman of National Marriage Week USA, says, “The …