The Couples Post

While out to dinner recently we had a misunderstanding near the end of the meal.I (Mel) was looking up information on my phone and showing it to Mark.He was clearly disinterested, and I felt puzzled.

"Fine!" and "Whatever!" These 2 powerful words have the incredible potential to bring nearly any discussion to a screeching halt.  They send the insensitive message of "I don't care. Discussion over.  Period. Full stop!"   As married couples, we have probably used these or similar words.  And, if we have raised children we have probably employed time out, taken the car keys or other forms of discipline.

Those 2 little words are not  the focus of this blog.

MF:  One rainy spring weekend we came to a new insight about clutter and our marriageas we set out to deep clean some closets and cabinets.  "A good weekend to KonMari," I told Tom.  To which he replied "Kon-what?"  "Time to tidy-up and de-clutter.  Bring on the Joy!"

Here's our 'Short List' of the things that have had the biggest impact on our marriage.

1. The 5 Love Languages - In this book, Dr Gary Chapman explains there are 5 basic love languages and we each have a primary "language."  We might be knocking ourselves out trying to show our spouse we love them,