Relationships Archives

Newlywed Mother’s Day: Moms & Mother In Laws

Handling your first newlywed mother’s day? Hopefully wedding planning and newlywed life has improved your relationship with your mother as you now share even more life events in common. Newlywed life has also provided you with another mother to honor on Mother’s Day, your Mother-In-Law. Below are a few tips for incorporating your Mother-in-Law into the holiday.

To avoid any disappointment on either side of the family, it is wise to chat with your spouse about their traditions for Mother’s Day. Some families may simply send a card, while others plan elaborate weekends together. Understanding expectations before the holiday will help you plan a way to make both moms happy and prevent hard feelings between families.

For your first married Mother’s Day, it may be easier to celebrate separately. This is especially helpful if your mother’s live in different states. If both of you plan to spend time with both of your moms, you’ll need to schedule times in advance or see if both mothers would want to celebrate together.
This may sound like a great deal of planning for a single day, but happy in-law relationships can only help your marriage. If you’re planning a family in the future, it will also lay the ground work for your mothers to be flexible when it is your first Mother’s Day.

How are you spending Mother’s Day as a newlywed? Did you have to juggle family traditions or are you celebrating your own first Mother’s Day? We’d love to hear from you in a comment.

Spring Fling Newlywed Style: 3 Ways to Make the Most of the Season

Here are three ways to make the most of Spring Fling newlywed style. After what seemed like an endless winter for most of the U.S., Spring has finally arrived! The sun is shining, birds are chirping and love is in the air. As newlyweds, there is no better time to shake off the “winter blahs” and reconnect as a couple.

1. Take a walk and hold hands. Enjoying the warm sunshine and blooms is good for your soul and your relationship. You’re making Vitamin D, lowering your stress levels and physically connecting on a very sweet level.

2. Plant something together. Whether you stop by your local nursery and plant already blooming bulbs or select a tree or bush for your yard, working together on a project that beautifies your yard or community is a great way to enjoy Spring as newlyweds. Added bonus: you’ll get a sense of satisfaction and nostalgia each Spring when you see your handiwork in full bloom.

3. Follow nature’s example. Birds do it, bees do it….and so should you! Shave your legs, put on a sundress and make the most of Spring Fling newlyweds. If you’ve been contemplating starting a family, this may be the perfect season to get started.

Whatever you do to enjoy Spring Fling newlywed style, be sure to take time as a couple to enjoy each other and the season. We’d love to hear what your favorite Spring activities are as newlyweds, so please leave a comment.

Newlywed Love Is Being Stupid Together

Newlywed love is being stupid together! Most weddings I attend (including my own) have a reading from First Corinthians “Love is patient, Love is kind…” While this scripture is very true, I feel that the strongest newlywed couples understand that love is also being stupid together.

In a world that emphasizes and idolizes “perfect couples”, it’s freeing to know that being goofy is okay. In fact, silliness and inside jokes helps cement your relationship. If you haven’t laughed or been stupid together in a while, here are a few suggestions:

Rent a Comedy – Plop on the couch and reconnect as you laugh at actors antics. You may even pick up a movie quote that will make you both laugh for years to come.
Play Charades – This game is guaranteed to have you both laughing hysterically as you try to guess what your partner is acting out.
Play With Small Children or Animals – There’s nothing like little kid laughter or puppy antics to make you smile and have a good time.
Have a Squirt Gun or Water Balloon Fight – Who can keep a straight face when they’re chasing or being chased by their mate armed with liquid ammo?

How do you enjoy being stupid together with your fiancé or spouse? We’d love to hear them in a comment!

Would You Could You In A…(5 Unique Newlywed Dates)!

Are you looking for unique newlywed dates? It’s busy being a newlywed! There’s the whirlwind of post-wedding thank you, possible moving/merging of your stuff and lives as well as your jobs, families and friends. You may find yourself going on fewer dates and recycling the same restaurants or activities over and over again. The solution? Try something new!

I was inspired by Dr. Seuss’s book Green Eggs & Ham….what better way to keep your dates interesting than adopting the mantra “Would you, could you in a…”? Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a weeknight meal start asking that question. Below are a few ideas:

1. Would You, Could You In A Tent? I think it would be incredibly romantic to drink wine and watch the sun set in a hanging tent. You could enjoy a trip to the circus or even plan a camping trip/date.

2. Would You, Could You In A Train? Imagine hopping a train for a weekend getaway in New York, Cape Code, the Grand Canyon…the adventure would be something you’d share and tell friends about for years! Check out a list of romantic train rides at vacationsbyrail.com. If that’s a bit much for you, consider looking for a train museum or a restaurant built in a station or train car.

3. Would You, Could You On A Roof? While it might be dangerous to picnic on your own roof, consider having cocktails at a bar with a roof top deck or find a restaurant on the top floor of a building. The views will be lovely and will help you feel far away from everyday life (unless you’re a roofer).

4. Would You, Could You In A Library? Channel your inner sexy librarian for a date night at a library. The older, bigger and more interesting the library, the better. I recommend a college library if you live near one. Snuggle up and share a saucy book of poetry or pass each other notes as you read. You can whisper about your all time favorite books…and connect on a new literary level.

5. Would You Could You In The Mud? There are two drastically different ways this idea can go. First way: train for a tough mudder together. You’ll burn calories, build a closer relationship and end up with some amazing muddy finish line photos! Feeling less than thrilled about dirty athletics? Book a couples mud massage at a local spa. You can relax and let the mud remove toxins from your body…together.

I challenge you to sit down with your spouse and make a list of “would you could you” unique newlywed date scenarios. It will be entertaining at a minimum and could result in your most memorable date as newlyweds. Please post comments with the dates you end up trying!

Where You Found Your Bridesmaids & What That Means About You

Where you found your bridesmaids is a really interesting snapshot of your life. I recently saw a photo, and thought it was first of all a great wedding photo idea and also a great topic to write about. The people you choose to stand up in your wedding party are supposed to be the most important people in your life that you picture supporting your marriage through all of its ups and downs. This pin made we wonder about the meaning of who your bridesmaids are/were and where/when did you meet them in life?

My bridesmaids included my hometown best friend (we met in Girl Scouts), college & post college roommate and fellow bio major (she was one of the first people I met on campus), my first post college co-worker (who introduced me to my husband and later married my cousin) and my husband’s best girl friend (who helped salvage him after a terrible long term relationship). All of these women have had profound impacts on me and have stood by me through many phases of my life.

Curiously absent from the bridal posse? My sorority sisters. I loved those crazy ladies but while I could picture them holding my hair back, I couldn’t see them supporting my new marriage. Years later, I realize that they would and do, but at the time it was impossible to tell. Do I regret not having one or two of them in my wedding? Yes. But I don’t regret making bridesmaid decisions based on who I though would see me through newlywed and married life.

In the day and age where women factor in who will look best in their wedding photos and ask bridesmaids sign contracts about their weight and hair length, I would like to remind brides of the importance of who they surround themselves with on their big day and beyond.