There's a common belief that closeness in a relationship should just happen naturally if you love each other enough. But real life doesn't work that way.

If you're in a long-term relationship or married, there's a good chance you've had moments where you thought, "I didn't realize I was marrying into this."

Having kids is one of the biggest transformations a relationship will ever go through. It's beautiful, overwhelming, heart-expanding, exhausting, and sometimes downright confusing.

When children grow up and move out, the house becomes quieter, but inside, things can feel much more complicated. Many couples enter the empty nest season expecting calm, freedom, or a long-awaited chance to reconnect.

In long-term relationships, it's easy to assume that love is built through grand gestures like romantic getaways, surprise gifts, or a big "I'm sorry" after a fight.

Have you ever found yourself in a relationship that feels draining, confusing, and painfully familiar? Maybe you keep ending up with the same kind of partner, having the same arguments, feeling stuck in the same emotional loops.

Bringing a baby into the world is an incredible experience. But as a couple, it's also one of the biggest transitions you'll ever face.

Every couple fights—even the healthiest, happiest couples in the world argue over seemingly silly things like dishes, money, and whose turn it is to walk the dog. Disagreements are simply part of being in a relationship.

Every couple argues, misreads each other, or talks past one another at times. However, the problem often isn’t what you’re saying, it’s whether you’re really listening.

Physical intimacy isn’t the most important aspect of a relationship, but it’s certainly one of them. So, when it starts to decline, it can feel like you and your partner are on rocky ground—even if you’re not sure why.

We all have different attachment styles, formed from a very early age. Ideally, everyone would live with a secure attachment. That typically means you had parents or caregivers who met your needs and provided a sense of comfort and stability.

Money and finances have long been a topic of contention for far too many couples. Maybe you like to save and your partner likes to spend. Maybe you argue about what you should spend your money on.

Life is all about connection. As human beings, we crave connection and closeness with others.

In relationships, the lines between innocent behavior and betrayal can sometimes blur. Why? Because everyone has different views on cheating.

Conflict in relationships is inevitable—differences in opinions, needs, and expectations will eventually surface, even in the healthiest partnerships. But it's not the presence of arguments that determine the success of a relationship; it's how those arguments are handled.

Do you ever feel like no matter how much you talk to your partner, you never feel as though they're hearing you? You may be having the same argument over and over again.

Fearful that your partner may be having eyes for someone else? Fear not—this is normal! It may sound strange, but jealousy is a natural emotion to experience in relationships.

Infidelity is one of the most painful breaches of trust a couple can experience. Discovering a partner's betrayal can feel like your entire world has spun upside-down.

In the whirlwind of life, it's easy to drift through on autopilot. Busy schedules, daily responsibilities, and ever-changing life circumstances can keep us preoccupied for days, weeks, and months at a time.

What makes long-term relationships strong? Is it attraction? Shared values? Communication? While all of these are excellent guesses, there is one element that is often overlooked, but deeply essential—emotional intimacy.