We will admit that having kids is not as easy as it sounds and can widen the divide if your marriage/relationship is already experiencing some challenges. But we think that using the word "ruin" is way too harsh!

Kids require you to communicate differently, and more often, as well as more intentionally.

Remember when you used to spend all day and night playing video games or waiting in line at Best Buy or Game Stop for the next release of Madden?

Well tonight unleash your inner gamer, and relive some of that joy, by sending your kids away for the night and stay up playing their video games!

Growing up we learned a lot of things from just watching the people around us. Our parents, aunts, uncles, other family members, and friends all contributed to our family of origins.

Depending on how we saw affection being given, in our childhoods, could hinder how we show affection to our spouses now. Did you see your parents kissing or holding hands? Did you see family or friends hugging or was PDA out of the question.

Society likes to label men as weak if they show any vulnerabilities or feelings. So when men get married sometimes it's a tough transition to share their hearts and reveal any weaknesses because they are trying to appear strong .

Not sure what the weather is like where you are at, but in Texas it is chilly....the perfect weather to snuggle up and binge watch a show with your bae!

So yes! Netflix and chill!

Pick out a new series or a show that you guys have fallen behind on, and enjoy some quality time together.

Bonus tip - Use the ads (or commercials) as an opportunity to make out with your spouse. I'm sure you guys won't make it through many episodes!

With today being an extra-special day, we want to spend time performing some introspection.

Think about this question, what makes you better better? Would you rather be agreed with or is being understood more important to you? There is a difference between the two and it is important to evaluate what drives your expectations based on your inner experiences.

It is more important on how you handle your childhood baggage rather than that you have some. Everyone has some triggers, behaviors, or trauma from their childhood, but that doesn't mean that you have to repeat those issues in your marriage!

Who loves hearing words of affirmation? I do! Hearing my spouse give me unsolicited affirmations mean the world to me! Plus hearing the reasons behind what she loves about me fills my love tank.

Starting this weekend, speak affirming words to and around your spouse so that there is an overflow of their love tank.

Scheduling helps make sure that physical touch needs are being met, schedules are in sync, and both of you are on the same page.

But we also believe that you should romance your spouse throughout the day which feeds into the
anticipation of what is going to go down later that night!

Often times, spouses feel the pressure to purchase gifts, candy, flowers, and fancy dinners to celebrate Valentine's Day. But I think that pressure is unnecessary!

Valentine's Day should be an expression of your love for your spouse in the way that they receive love; which looks different for each marriage/relationship!

Kissing games are awesome because you don’t have to get dressed up and leave the comforts of your home to have fun. They also are sure to heat things up!

There are several types of kissing games that can be played...how about guess the word where you take turns spelling words with your tongue? Or, blindfolding your spouse and taking turns to kiss different body parts using only your mouths? It is guaranteed to be a steamy time!

Playing these types of games is a great start to your Valentine's day weekend!

Since we are in the month of love, we want to make sure that we are intentional on speaking our spouses' love languages this month!

For this week let's discuss a date that you loved the most! Explain to your husband/wife exactly which date was your favorite and what made it to be your top choice?

Let's spend this month filling up each other's love tanks instead of operating at a deficit!

Note - Every Tuesday we will share with you some maintenance relationship check questions so that you can identify any early symptoms that may determine if a tune up is needed for your marriage.

Every relationship is going to have its challenges and victories!

Don't get caught up in a temporary moment and start to question the integrity of your relationship. You cannot judge the actions of your partner solely based on the current difficulty. Staying in the moment will keep you in the cycle of negativity.

So this weekend talk with your spouse and agree on the phrase you want to use and make up your very own acronym.

There will be certain seasons and phases of your marriage where you, or your spouse, will be giving more than the other. And to be honest, it is too hard to try and track how much each person needs to give for equal effort, equal love, and doing equal the amount of work in the relationship and household.

Remember when you were dating and you would send little texts to each other throughout the day saying things like "just wanted to let you know you're on my mind", "I can't wait to get off work so we can hang out", or "I can't wait to kiss you again"?

This week's question is to discuss what is stressing your spouse out currently. Give time for both of you all to share, but make sure that you are listening to each other speak and not preparing your own dialogue in your head.

Couples therapy is not only for couples who are experiencing extreme issues or problems. Couples therapy is for everyone! It is designed to help partners recognize and resolve any conflict or challenges that they may be experiencing in their relationship; or just fine tune some of the tools that they already have.

We are halfway through 2021 and now is the perfect time to take a moment to look back at what you have been able to accomplish so far in 2021 as a couple!

Praise your spouse for their part in those accomplishments (and be specific)!

Have things not been going as well as you would like them to? No problem!

Take time to dream and discuss what you would like to see happen in the next 6 months together.

Every Tuesday we will share with you some maintenance relationship check questions so that you can identify any early symptoms that may determine if a tune up is needed for your marriage.

This week's question is to discuss what things about the life, that you've created together, make you happy? Even though the purpose of marriage is not to be happy; you do not want to be in a miserable one.

Take time this week to talk about what you enjoy about your marriage and how often do you pay attention to what's going well in it.

This is a gratitude exercise!