As we began our first counseling session, John and Mary were certainly pleasant and polite, almost to a fault, with each readily deferring to the other. It was soon obvious that there was little open conflict between them; in fact, there was little emotional engagement at all. At first, you might wonder why they even…
I need a husband for the day.” It’s a common phrase I read on social media or hear girls say to their girlfriends. Usually it’s said because it’s tax time or there is some household task that might be better suited for a guy to handle. So, the joke is made that a husband is…
When two people join in holy matrimony they bring a collective financial history with them. Well, in our case, collective is the wrong word. The only thing my wife and I collected was debt. In this respect, my wife and I have always been a perfect match: We both believed in spending money. Until debt…
Many of you know Ashley McIlwain as a relevant, insightful and consistent writer here on startmarriageright.com. Early on she joined the SMR team and helped make the site what it is today. Her contributions have been many, and her involvement priceless. Today, one of Ashley’s dreams has come into reality. It’s called Foundation Restoration. I…
Have you ever seen one of those t-shirts that has bride and groom stick figures with the words “Game Over” written above them? I’ve seen a few recently, and something about them just doesn’t sit well with me. In fact, I usually find myself completely irritated when I catch sight of one. After thinking about…
