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 For no apparent reason, my husband, Steve, and I found ourselves constantly butting heads. He would try to explain something, and it made zero sense to me. I’d say something, and it would rub him the wrong way. No matter what it was, we couldn’t seem to see eye to eye, and
By Ashley McIlwain The other day I was having a conversation with someone about how much perspective plays into relationships, conversations, and our general approach to life. We all have a filter that we sift our observations, discussions, and interactions through, which is why no two people see things exactly the same way. That’s also
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 Steve McIlwain Hubs here. Love is a lot of things to a lot of people. For some it’s a lifetime. For some it’s right now. For some it’s until it doesn’t work anymore. Our culture tells us that love is a fleeting sensation with an open exit door available whenever it fades. The idea
By Ashley McIlwain In a world of social media and smart phones, the concept of privacy is becoming extinct. We’re constantly being pulled into a self-revealing state of mind that beckons us to share that, post this, and all around put our private lives on public display. But how much is too much? I open
By Ashley McIlwain Note: There is a GIVEAWAY included with this interview! See below. Money affects each of us every single day in one way or another. It matters not whether it’s spending or trying to save, the possession of or lack of money, we find ourselves stuck in this perpetual and vicious cycle that
By Ashley McIlwain There you are feeling hurt, frustrated, confused, and most of all disappointed. Once again, you’ve been let down by someone, and the sting of the disappointment leaves you stunned. What now? How do you move forward? How do you trust? Questions whirl as you retreat inwardly to a safer place where you
By Ashley McIlwain When we think of struggles, we often cringe. No one wants to go through difficult or tough times. They’re never fun. They’re always taxing. We come out the other side bruised, battered, and wondering what happened and why. Add a spouse (or significant other) to the equation, and those tough times are
By Ashley McIlwain I know that many of you have been married for a while and are finding yourselves and your marriage in a place where you’re maybe rethinking things. You don’t feel in love any more. You and your spouse have changed so much, and you’re looking at each other wondering who this person
