I just read an article called “8 Tips For Renewing Your Relationship This Valentine’s Day” by couples therapist and educator Marty Babits, LCSW, BCD.  Babits wrote a relationship advice book “The Power of The Middle Ground:  A Couple’s Guide to Renewing Your Relationship” that is actually top on my list of relationship books to read right now.  Ideas about balance and adaptation are the underlying themes throughout all of my articles about relationships, so I’m looking forward to finding out what this professional has to say about couples finding a middle ground.
In Babits’ 8 Tips, I picked out my favorites …read more

Who says Valentine’s Day is only for two people? It can be a day to celebrate the love of your honey, your friends, or some combination of the two. Sometimes couples who are good friends with another couple can have just as great a time. Here are a few ideas if you’re celebrating February 14th with another couples.

Game Nights
Game nights are great fun, and in this economy, it’s a night of cheap entertainment. Games like Cranium, Settlers, and Apples to Apples are perfect for couples to play.
Movie Night
Romantic comedies work best in this setting, but hey, …read more

A new mobile app called Urban Signals cleverly combines the technology of GPS-enabled phones with online dating profiles to connect people instantaneously.  Urban Signals allows you to use a map on your phone to spot other singles around you and instantly send or receive messages.  It sounds like a pretty fun idea to me!
Aubree Nichols, the founder and CEO of Urban Signals, designed the program after living in New York and developing a fascination with urban behavior and “missed connections.”  It is definitely true that sometimes you are walking down the street and just spot someone who looks cool, attractive, …read more

Did you enter the fabulous giveaway we held for Jack Cards? If so, today is the day we announce the winner! As always, our winner was chosen randomly using random.org. Our winner was the fifth commenter, tanyetta. Congrats to her! Remember that if you didn’t win, Jack Cards are a wonderful and affordable product (and service, if you have them mailed out) so be sure to visit their website.

As part of the giveaway, I also asked you all for the sweetest thing you’ve ever given or received for Valentine’s Day. Here are some of …read more

I get asked a lot what is a good (or bad) date activity. Typical questions are something like:

“Is going to a movie a good first date?”
“I love football, but will my girl want to watch the game on a date?”
“Can we head to the gym as part of a date?”

The answer to all of these questions is, sure! With a caveat: your date has to be into the same activity or interest as you. For example, on the football date question, of course you both can watch the game and have it be a great time. …read more

By Guest Blogger Dawn Meisch
While the traditional gifts of Valentine’s Day of flowers and candy are wonderful, this year surprise your special someone with a gift that will last throughout the year. It’s important to show our loved ones we care the entire year, not just one one day. Thoughtful ideas to create more romance throughout the year will be more appreciated than a one-time gift of a candy heart and a bouquet of roses.
There are many gift options that keep the fire going all year long.
A “Love Note” Mailbox – Buy a small mailbox with a usable flag, and …read more

We recently talked about online dating and whether it was for “desperate people.” (Result: no way!) Then, last week I was talking with the Q100 Bert Show in Atlanta, and one of the questions they asked me for whether online dating had a bad rap.

Want to know what I said? The answer might surprise you but I said online dating did have a bad rap! But it shouldn’t. Online dating is a great way to get introduced to people, but here are some reasons why it gets a bad rap.
People Who Have Never Tried Online …read more

The past can make a strong and ugly appearance in the present…if you let it.  His past experiences related to sex, love, drugs, or bad decisions could get into your head and haunt you forever.  Why did he do those things?  What does it say about who he is?  What does it say about you?  The questions could keep coming and you can be certain that you will never get any answers that help you to get over it.
I’ve experienced and witnessed many many relationships where one becomes absolutely obsessed with the past of the other.  These usually occur when …read more

We’ve talked quite a bit about Valentine’s Day the last few weeks, but I realize there is some pressure to go out on February 14th. Besides that, some of you really, really enjoy the holiday (and there is nothing wrong with that.) So if you’d like to go out and don’t have a date yet, here are some ways to get one. These suggestions are for a date – not the love of your life! In other words, it may be someone that you just go out with once. That’s okay. Remember, dating is …read more

Facebook is one of the most fabulous ways to keep in touch with people around. It can help you and your friends stay connected, and can even reconnect with someone you’ve lost contact with. It can also improve your dating life. Here’s how.

Getting to Know Your Guy or Girl
Why you should not friend your date too quickly, when you do become pals on Facebook, it can help you learn that much more about them. What do they use Facebook for? Are they kind to people? Do they comment nicely on others pages or pick …read more