IN PROGRESS 😊 All letters will eventually be here. Married love got complicated while we weren't looking. Let's make it simpler again so we can love and be loved for the long term . . .

It’s nice to have a day once in a while where you only do what you want. I end up in the closet thinning out shirts I don’t wear anymore. Don’t have to do it, I just feel like it…

Last week I mentioned that Brenda and I haven’t ever really tried to address big relationship issues head-on. I think that approach probably seemed too scary to us…

I think sometimes it can be good to remind yourself what you really believe, and what you’ve learned. One of those things I believe, is that instead of trying to fix a bunch of separate issues . . .

For a long time, I didn’t see my role in digging a hole in our marriage relationship. I didn’t see how easy it is for married love to go into auto-pilot, and how easy it can be to take each other for granted…

So, on Father’s Day each daughter calls. I love it. We got caught up, talked about books and kids and trips and how we’re doing and feeling. I noticed something…

We stop at Buc-ee’s on the way to family in Indiana. Brenda goes in while I get gas. After gassing up, I look for a parking spot. It’s a big place. It’s crowded. It’s raining. I'm hungry…

After Tim Keller died, in an old video interview, he’s quoting others, but owning their words for himself - “My wife has been married to five men. Every one of them has been me…”

A divorced friend was reflecting on marriage turmoil and said, “I think we’re all just looking for peace.” One of the biggest stresses I’ve ever experienced has been in the old arguments with Brenda…

We were talking last night and disagreeing about something. It was frustrating but also kinda fun. It reminded me how she and I can definitely see things differently…

We’re at an eye Dr appointment. She’s noticed a little change and wants it checked. I ask if she wants me to go to the exam room with her to take notes…

I’m still changing. I like saying that at age almost 72. It’s freeing to know you haven’t “arrived” and so are not expected to live up to arriving…

I’m in the airport at Denver Sunday night and I’m hungry. I’ve been away from home nine of the last 10 days. I’ve had allergies for two months and have just . . .

I’ve heard this same kind of thing a bunch of times. Here’s Meygan at marriage365 talking about feeling “frustration, disappointment, loneliness, and disconnection” in her marriage . . .

Our taxes were higher than expected this year. When I found out, I realized I was a teeny bit antsy about talking to Brenda about it..

There are times in the past when I thought of Brenda as my enemy. I hate to say that. That’s on me. She’s never been my enemy. My thinking that she’s my enemy is my enemy…

Two of the best things my wife Brenda ever said to me. One - “Poor man. I was trying to have you be Jesus for me.” I never knew that was what she was doing, but I felt it. All I knew was I couldn’t seem to . . .

Last week. In the car. The mood is neutral and calm. One of us (calmly and kindly): “I need to say I feel like maybe I’ve been bugging you. You seem frustrated with me, kinda short with me . . . I can understand . . .

So what changes things? What helped our marriage make progress Though we’ve been married 50 years, Brenda and I have had our share of ugly streaks and scenes. Things are now definitely different than . . .

I asked you recently “What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing in your marriage relationship right now?” You might be curious what kinds of things others are challenged by. So, I tried to group and . . .