A Relationship Like Peter II

So what’s the cautionary in the tale here? Don’t deny Jesus when hanging out with strangers around a fire?

The Case for Being Direct // the How

During my last year of teaching, I had the privilege to teach a few upperclassmen a Communications class. Among other things, I took the opportunity to teach them from the book Crucial Conversations (which I beyond-highly recommend to every single human). Essentially, it walks the reader through practical ways to handle high-stakes and high-emotion conversations. I sure wish I learned those points when I was 16! Many of these practical points are adapted from these fantastic book.

Is It Too Early for Marriage Reflections?

Today marks two months since I married my best friend (that is, if you’re counting from the first wedding :). We’ve already done so much! Moved continents, gotten married again, hosted friends and family, gone on several trips, bought furniture, budgeted so many times… Living life with him is nothing short of wonderful; and there […]

Why a Relationship Won’t Fix Your Issues (But…Can)

A good friend of mine recently entered into a wonderful relationship. His random texted questions are punctuated with the same angst and is-this-okay-ness of the first few months of my relationship with the fiancé. Ah, the honeymoon phase, filled with bliss and confusion. I’ve already written about some of the lies that media tells us […]

Just Listen

During my nine months of intense character-refining with 10 others near University of Michigan, I was shown many things about myself. One is that I have a terrible habit of interrupting people.

Encourage the Strong

I remember sitting in her office, probably for the thousandth time. I was talking about how I wanted to be, who I wanted to be. The loving mentor didn’t seem to get what I was describing. Pointing through the library window, I pointed to her. “That’s how I want to be,” I said wistfully, gesturing towards […]

Meaningful Relationships | How to Manage Darker Days

Maintaining meaningful relationships amidst anxiety is both extremely difficult and extremely necessary. It’s difficult because when anxious, we often push away those closest and whose care we need the most. It’s necessary because often the only people who can lift our spirits and talk us out of it are those closest to us. I’m running away from that which can help me.

What We Learned From Hiking a Mountain

Someone had the great idea to celebrate being together for a year and a half by doing a strenuous hike. The perpetrator rhymes with rah royfriend.

Interview | The Boyfriend

Your relationship is like having an ox — you’ve got to invest yourself in dealing with the mess that comes with it as well as feed it intentionally with time, energy and love. But at the end of the day, you will reap much more out of it than if you never had it all. I’ve found this applies to all kinds of relationships.

3 Ways Media Lies About (Romantic) Relationships

Most people know the media lies about basically everything. But there are lies that have taken me time to realize I actually believed them, let alone stop believing them. How could they sabotage my relationship when I wasn’t even aware?