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surprising secrets of highly happy marriages

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February 2025

February 25, 2025

Why Can’t My Husband Seem to Take Criticism Part 2

When it comes to how our men handle criticism and conflict, two big misunderstandings are...

October 2023

October 17, 2023

7 Steps to Keep Defensiveness from Ruining Our Relationships (Part 2)

This is Part 2 of a two-part series on how to reduce defensiveness and have...

October 10, 2023

7 Steps to Keep Defensiveness from Ruining Our Relationships (Part 1)

One woman told me that in reading The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages she...

January 2023

January 10, 2023

Top Marriage Advice for Newlyweds (and Everyone Else) About Conflict – Part 1

Perhaps now more than ever before, this secret is vital to creating a great relationship....

October 2022

October 27, 2022

The Benefits Of Not Getting Married Just To Get Married

I decided to inquire of those who indeed had spent years feeling that Mr. or...

June 2022

June 01, 2022

Top Marriage Advice for Newlyweds (and Everyone Else) About Communication

Learn how to be a generous and kind communicator with your spouse.

May 2022

May 19, 2022

Top Marriage Advice for Newlyweds (and Everyone Else) About Making a Happy Marriage

Your spouse almost certainly deeply cares about and appreciates you. But they won’t live that...

April 2022

April 12, 2022

3 Ways Fictional Marriages can Sabotage Real Ones—and How to Get it Right

Here are three common ways we must replace fiction with truth so we we can...

March 2022

March 22, 2022

Does Marriage Matter? This Study Says Yes

Is marriage optional? Does it matter if I get married? Does it matter if fewer...

March 08, 2022

Simple But Powerful Relationship Lessons We Can Learn From Kids

Children can teach us some of the behaviors that are helpful for building healthy and...

February 2022

February 08, 2022

Guys, Here’s How To Do Real-Life Romance

Dating your wife is an investment that pays big dividends in the long-term health and...

November 2021

November 16, 2021

This One Secret Is A Game-Changer For Any Relationship

If we can just keep in mind one thought the next time we assume a...

October 2021

October 05, 2021

Little Things Make A Big Difference in Marriage

When you’re working with couples on a regular basis, you probably wish you could do...

August 2021

August 05, 2021

When You’ve Found “The One” Go All In

A lifelong commitment provides a secure foundation for persevering through the valleys that are part...

February 2021

February 23, 2021

Help Make Your Marriage Great By Being Grateful For Your Spouse

Have you ever been around one of those couples who just never seem to have...

January 2021

January 07, 2021

When You Tease Your Husband, It’s Really No Joke

Learn from the example of highly happy couples to prevent THIS from happening in your...

April 2019

April 03, 2019

The BEST Wedding Gift Ever

We are approaching wedding season! April, May and June are filled with shopping the registries,...

October 2017

October 23, 2017

Want a happy marriage? 3 Ways to Nix All Marriage Negativity

There’s a couple I know who just seems to have their act together. They’re a...

April 2016

April 01, 2016

Secret #7 to a Highly Happy Marriage: Sign Language to Reconnect

Marriages aren't made or broken through dramatic gestures. It's the small, everyday actions and choices...

March 2016

March 04, 2016

Secret #5 to a Highly Happy Marriage: Boss Your Feelings

Marriages aren't made or broken through dramatic gestures. It's the small, everyday actions and choices...

February 2016

February 12, 2016

Secret #4 to a Highly Happy Marriage: Keep Score

Marriages aren't made or broken through dramatic gestures. It's the small, everyday actions and choices...

November 2015

November 02, 2015

Believing the Best Isn’t Letting Him Off the Hook

Dear Shaunti, In one of your books, you say it’s important to believe the best...

October 2015

October 07, 2015

Realistic Tips for Reeling Him Back In

Dear Shaunti, My husband and I have been married 22 years and I love him,...

September 2015

September 22, 2015

Time to Hang up the Hurt, Hang out Together, and Hang On

Dear Shaunti, My husband and I have been married for 20 years. I still care...

August 2015

August 03, 2015

Does being “all-in” mean not having boundaries?

Dear Shaunti, I just finished your book The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages, and...

July 2015

July 13, 2015

Spill Out Your Secrets To Fill Up Your Marriage

Dear Shaunti, Just before I got married, my grandmother presented me with a check –...

July 06, 2015

Did Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn REALLY break up because of “time?”

View image | gettyimages.com Dear Shaunti, My wife and I got into a “discussion” the...

June 2015

June 22, 2015

Complaining kills, but discussion heals

Dear Shaunti, I know you’re a researcher, but I think most marriage researchers are off...

June 10, 2015

Should I read my wife’s texts?

Dear Shaunti, My wife is the best person I know; she’s funny, warm, affectionate, and...

June 01, 2015

Don’t Let “Facebook Fantasies” Ruin Your View Of Your Spouse

Dear Shaunti, My husband and I have started arguing a lot about how much I...