By Ashley McIlwain Marriages are boring, affairs are fun! That’s what the spam email said that was sitting in my inbox staring at me candidly and shamelessly. My heart ached as I saw the words beseeching me to believe their ridiculous claim. Unapologetically this lie dared to even show its ugly face. Unfortunately, I’ve witnessed
By Ashley McIlwain If there is one thing I can guarantee you about your marriage, it is that your spouse will hurt you. You read that right. Your spouse will inevitably hurt, disappoint, frustrate, and anger you at some point in time during the course of your marriage. The reverse is true as well. You
By Ashley McIlwain Like most ladies out there, I grew up on fairytales. Those feel-good Disney movies filled with princesses, princes, singing, castles, “true” love, and happy endings. My sisters and I would dance across the living room twirling, singing, and acting out all of our favorite parts. All the while, deep down inside creating
By Ashley McIlwain I wish so badly that, when we walk down the aisle as bride and groom, we could see each other for all that we really are. Past the pure white and big smiles. Past the euphoria and excitement. Past the notion of a “perfect day.” Instead, transparent with our brokenness, baggage, issues,
By Ashley McIlwain Where do we draw the line? Where do we say white meets black in the choices of life? Where does safety end and danger begin? We all face these questions in our lives in nearly every area. When we are dating, these questions often swirl around physical intimacy. How far can we
By Ashley McIlwain What should you expect when you are expecting? You might hear that question and immediately think I’m referencing pregnancy and childrearing. I’m not. However, I am referring to the birth of a certain mentality that can be potentially destructive – expectancy. What I want to discuss is what happens when we begin
By Rob Thorpe I married the woman of my dreams, and she will make me happy. Happiness is the goal of marriage, right? One of the lies that undermines and destroys marriages is a lie we have all heard, and many have believed. God wants me to be happy, and so He brought me together with
