Phase 3: Investing in Us

The central focus in Phase 3 of a partnership marriage turns to the personal growth and success of each individual and to that of the marriage itself. This stage of marriage often begins in the fourth or fifth year of marriage when a couple is busy raising children, managing dual careers, managing their home and […]

Phase 2: We’re Committed!

Phase 2 of a partnership marriage begins when the two of you commit to creating a future together. You take the plunge together, get engaged and commit to getting married. Phase 2 often extends into the first few years of marriage. As you look forward to your wedding day, you must learn to balance your […]

Same-Sex Marriage is a Right Nationwide!

“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would […]

Phase 1: Falling into Us

Several years ago, I was sharing with a group of couples in one of my workshops about my second date with Martha, when we attended a community theater production of “Some Like it Hot.” I shared with them that it was on that date when Martha and I first fell in love. Martha, who was […]

Conversations for Partnership in Marriage

In my book, The Partnership Marriage: Creating the Life You Love…Together, I outline six distinct phases of marriage. Many stage models in the marriage literature are strikingly similar. In The Partnership Marriage, I focus on describing the marital commitments and kinds of conversations that are central to each phase of marriage. It is the premise […]

Gender Equality and Marriage

On September 20, 2014, Emma Watson, British actor and Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women, launched the HeForShe initiative for gender equality at the United Nations. She gave a moving speech, in which she called on men and boys to join women and girls in advocating for a world in which both sexes have equal rights […]

Partnership Education

“….though modern Marriage is a tremendous laboratory, its members are often utterly without preparation for the partnership function. How much agony and remorse and failure could have been avoided if there had been at least some rudimentary learning before they entered the partnership….And that statement is equally valid for all relationships.” Leo Buscaglia from Loving […]

“Let’s…”

When we were boys, my twin brother, Wendel, and I always found things to do together. “Let’s play tennis.” “Let’s play catch.” “Let’s ride our bicycles.” “Let’s go to the store and get some baseball cards.” We were always finding ways to play together. Wendel or I would suggest something to do by saying “Let’s…” […]

Valentine’s Day Planning Kit

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching! Just for fun, I want to provide you with resources that you can use to plan your Valentine’s Day celebration. If  you are looking for that special card, here’s a website I recommend: Valentine’s Day cards from Hallmark Cards If you are looking for a bouquet of flowers that is just […]

The Gift of Understanding

Being able to listen to each other is fundamental to a loving relationship. In fact, listening is a much more powerful act than speaking. Listening to your partner grants them their self-expression. Your partner will feel enlivened when you listen to them. They will feel validated, seen and heard when you understand what they say. […]