Valentine's Day is just around the corner and this time of year, media tells a lot of different stories about what love looks like. Don't set yourself up for disappointment this year. Unrealistic expectations can ruin the day for you and your significant other or your spouse. In this blog, Dr. Tim Muehlhoff explains how Hollywood is painting an unrealistic picture of what relationships should look like. 

Dear CMR,

I hope I am just in time with my question. Valentine's Day is coming up soon and I really want to make it meaningful for my wife this year. Can you give me some advice? What should I do?

Signed,

Wanna-be Cupid

Does leadership always come naturally to men? What about spiritual leadership? In a family that lacks it, spiritual leadership can be a tricky dynamic to develop. How can a wife inspire her husband to spiritually lead the family? This discussion might just help with that. 

Men need each other.

When God created male and female, He made them "like," but "like opposite." They are"like" in that they both are equal image bearers of God, but "opposite" in that they are very distinct in how they think and act. This article by Dr. Paul Friesen explains some of the ways that men and women are different from each other, and four things that men need to acknowledge about the way they connect. 

Dear CMR,

I'll make this short. Is it okay to stay friends with an ex?

Signed,

Relationship Reminiscent 

Every relationship has points of tension that can evolve into fights. Couples can sometimes begin believing that disagreements and fights mean that their relationship is doomed to fail. While that isn't necessarily true, there are some signs that your relationship has taken a dangerous turn and needs to be adjusted. These four signs, outlined by marriage researcher Dr. John Gottman, are signs that your relationship may be in trouble. 

"Describe your father in one word."

One by one, the all-male audience shouted out words like "disconnected; moody; short-tempered; encouraging; quiet; distant; friend; irritable; depressed; non-engaging."  While some of the words are positive, most center on a variation of one word: absent. 

Dear CMR,

What if in a marriage, only one person wants to stay in the marriage and is working and fighting for the relationship to continue? What would you say to them?

Signed,

A Desperate Friend