By Ashley McIlwain I love you. Those are perhaps three of the most powerful words we can ever speak to someone, and they are perhaps three of the most powerful words that can ever be spoken to us. We all long to be loved. We were created to be in relationship and experience the richness
By Ashley McIlwain September thirteenth was Steve’s and my fifth wedding anniversary. Everyone says it will, but it’s still hard to believe how quickly that time has flown by. In a blink of an eye, we’ve found ourselves five years in, celebrating the love we’ve shared, the memories we’ve created, and the commitment we’ve held
By Ashley McIlwain When I look around me, I realize how blessed I am with inspirational, successful marriages. My parents just celebrated their 37th anniversary. My sister and her husband their 11th. My husband, Steve’s, parents just celebrated 42 years. Just last month our board members, Greg and Rosemary, hit the 40 year mark. Steve’s
By Ashley McIlwain Being married has taught me so much about … everything. One thing I’ve learned is that I have a lot of growing to do, but I long for that growth because I want to be the best version of myself possible. That’s what God calls me to, and that’s what my husband
By Ashley McIlwain Personally I’m a fan of Valentine’s Day. Not because I love the commercial craziness of it with all of the overpriced flowers and candy, oversized cards, and overcrowded restaurants. No, what I love is that it gets people thinking about the ones they love and how to express that love. It’s a
By Ashley McIlwain See below for a special GIVEAWAY too ... How do we win at love? It’s a simple enough question, yet the answer seems to evade so many of us. I mean, we search and try, fight and conquer, but yet, somehow it slips from our grasp. After all, we can’t help who
By Steve McIlwain This is Part 2 of Hubs Corner: Worse, Poorer, Sickness. You can check out Part 1 here. Sickness Few stories in marriage draw couples closer and inspire others as the wife who stands stronger than steel through her husband’s battle with cancer. Likewise, few stories in marriage devastate families and are as
By Steve McIlwain Hubs here. Worse, poorer, sicker. If you’re married, you’ve said these words (or some version of them). Granted, they are not the glamorous words. They’re not the words you focused on. As you stood in front of witnesses, no matter how many or few, likely wearing beautiful clothes and a beaming smile,
By Ashley McIlwain If you are like me, you’ve been following the summer Olympics in London. The Olympics always amaze me because those athletes train most of their lives just to have a shot at being the best. They commit so much time, energy, effort, emotion, and everything they have to try and bring home
By Ashley McIlwain From across the room I watch him. There’s a gentleness in his eyes and an ease in his movements that bring me comfort. The concentration on his handsome face puts a smile on mine. Somehow he embodies strength and tenderness all at the same time. As he strums away at his guitar,
