Most marriages don't drift apart because of one dramatic moment. More often, it's the quiet accumulation of overlooked conversations, missed opportunities to connect, and the everyday busyness of life. The encouraging news is that just as distance grows through small moments, connection can be rebuilt the same way—one intentional choice at a time.

Marriage isn't always easy, but research continues to show that investing in a healthy relationship can lead to greater emotional well-being, stronger support, better financial stability, and lasting benefits for families and communities. Discover why a strong marriage is worth the effort.

When conflict arises, it's easy to focus on what your spouse needs to change. But what if the greatest opportunity to strengthen your marriage begins with your own response? Discover five questions that can help shift your perspective, improve communication, and build deeper connection.

What can 14,000 miles on a tandem bicycle teach you about marriage? More than we ever imagined. Over thirteen years of riding together, we discovered that communication, teamwork, shared goals, and learning to navigate life's hills are just as essential on a tandem bike as they are in a healthy relationship. Along the way, we experienced plenty of laughter, a few falls, and lessons that transformed both our cycling and our marriage.

A few years ago, a woman asked a simple but loaded question: "How do I love my spouse, but still express my own voice and needs?" 

It's a question we hear in different words almost every week. Couples come to us tired — not because they don't love each other, but because somewhere along the way they lost track of where one person ends and the other begins. 

That's a boundaries problem. And it's worth talking about, because boundaries are one of the most misunderstood words in marriage. 

Say "boundaries" out loud and a lot of people picture walls — distance, keeping someone out, building a case for separateness. In reality, healthy boundaries are what make closeness possible. They're not the opposite of connection. They're what keeps connection from collapsing into either control or distance. 

Recreational marijuana has become part of the daily landscape for millions of American couples. It is legal in most states. It is normalized in popular culture. And for many people, it feels like a harmless way to unwind at the end of a long day. 

But in my work with couples at Encompass Connection Center, I keep hearing a version of the same story. One partner feels like the other isn't really there. Conversations that should be simple turn into arguments — or get avoided altogether. Something has shifted, and neither person can quite name what it is. 

Sometimes, after we spend time together, the question quietly surfaces: could recreational marijuana be part of what's happening here? 

If that question has crossed your mind — about your own use, your partner's use, or what the two of you have stopped talking about — this is worth reading. 

It is one of the most common phrases couples use: 
“We’re not fighting. We just feel like roommates.” 
There may be no dramatic conflict. No major betrayal. No obvious crisis. 
Just distance. 
A roommate marriage often develops gradually. Two people share responsibilities, schedules, and space—but not much emotional connection. Over time, the relationship becomes functional rather than fulfilling. 
If your marriage feels distant, you are not alone. And emotional connection in marriage can be rebuilt. ​

The holidays have a way of lighting up both the beauty and the rough edges of our relationships. We anticipate the traditions, the good food, the laughter, and the moments with people we love. But we also carry the awareness that the season can stir up tension—old frustrations, unrealistic expectations, or the simple weight of an overloaded schedule.

Probably the greatest danger of taking people or things for granted is that we lose our gratitude for them. Thankfulness is a theme that runs cover to cover through the Bible and is a cornerstone of nearly every moral belief system. Yet gratitude is an attitude that seems to be increasingly losing latitude in our culture. 

It’s the small things that make a marriage feel alive. A touch on the shoulder, a shared laugh over morning coffee, a quick check-in before bed — these moments may seem ordinary, but they’re what hold couples together over time.

Parenting is hard. Full stop! As a mom of five, I’ve done a lot of things well over the years—and made plenty of mistakes too. One of the hardest areas to navigate is parenting during conflict. Anger, frustration, exhaustion, and a dozen other emotions can bring out the worst in any of us. Let’s look at three common mistakes parents make in conflict—and some practical ways to fix them.​

We are living in what experts are calling an epidemic of disconnection. 

Why relationship skills are the new mental health crisis response.

A secure marriage doesn’t just make life better for two people; it creates stability, confidence, and hope for the next generation. ​

“When not recognized and broken, generational curses can destroy marriages and families.”

That statement got my attention—and it has kept my attention ever since.

When we talk about strengthening families and communities, one concept consistently rises to the top: Responsible Fatherhood. But what does that really mean—and why is it so vital?

While it's not the only path to a fulfilling life, there’s something unique about marriage that other types of relationships can’t quite match. If you're wondering whether marriage is worth it or if it's just an old tradition, here’s why you should get married—and stay married. 

Between 2010 and 2015 the number of teens reporting feelings of uselessness and lack of joy increased 33 percent in large national surveys. Teen suicide attempts increased 23 percent while actual suicides between 13 to 18-year-olds increased 31 percent. A significant trend. What could account for such dramatic increases?

Anger. Fear. Sadness. Joy. Excitement. You've felt these emotions. All people do. But not all people know what to do with them. Want to know a master skill in understanding yourself and others?

If you've ever been in the presence of a masterful listener you feel quite different than when someone is preoccupied with talking about themselves. Is there anything we can do to listen better?

When things are going sideways in a relationship it is easy to focus on negatives, with what's going wrong. Much like gravity, such a focus pulls us downward and decreases our hope for improvement or restoration. Is there a better way to approach relationship challenges?