Men and women communicate differently, and understanding these differences can strengthen your marriage. 💡 Women are often wired to be considerate, subtle, and avoid direct confrontation to maintain emotional harmony. 😊 However, this can sometimes lead to miscommunication, leaving men confused about what’s really being said. 🤔 For husbands, the key is listening beyond the words and paying attention to tone, body language, and emotional cues. 👂 When a woman says something seemingly neutral, there’s often a deeper meaning behind it—one that reflects her desire to be heard, valued, and emotionally connected. ❤️ 🔹 What She Says → What She Means 🔹 ❤️ "I'm fine." → "I’m actually not fine. Please ask me what’s wrong and genuinely listen." ❤️ "Do whatever you want." → "I hope you’ll respect my feelings enough to reconsider your decision." ❤️ "Maybe we can talk later." → "I definitely want to talk about this, but I need some time to process first." ❤️ "You don’t have to do that." → "It would mean a lot to me if you chose to do it anyway." ❤️ "Nothing’s wrong." → "Something is definitely bothering me, but I need you to notice on your own." ❤️ "Sure, go ahead." → "I’d prefer if you didn’t, but I want you to decide to prioritize me without me explicitly asking." ❤️ "Who was that?" → "I noticed that interaction, and I’m feeling insecure. Reassure me." ❤️ "It doesn’t matter." → "It matters to me, and I wish you’d acknowledge that." ❤️ "Maybe later." → "Not really interested right now, but I don't want to outright reject the idea yet." ❤️ "Forget it." → "Please don’t actually forget it—I’m frustrated and wish you’d press further." ❤️ "Do I look okay?" → "I’m feeling insecure and seeking affirmation and reassurance from you." What Husbands Can Do 🤝 ✅ Listen for Emotional Cues – Pay attention to her tone, body language, and facial expressions. ✅ Ask Thoughtful Questions – Instead of taking words at face value, engage with curiosity: “Are you sure? You seem to have something on your mind—do you want to talk about it?”

Through my childhood and into my early 20s, I battled OCD symptoms, unaware that anyone else feels what I feel, believing that I was just weird and unreachable. It has been a long journey of healing, as I became aware that there are answers for my struggles and learned to give myself grace. Also, the more I healed from deep emotional wounds, the less I felt controlled by OCD. I don’t remember how I came across Mark DeJesus’s YouTube channel, but there was a time when I would listen to a lot of his videos. As I listened, I felt so understood, and he would describe things in detail that I thought no one would ever understand about me. I highly recommend his channel, by the way! He speaks from personal experience, provides so much practical information, with so much grace and encouragement. And it all just makes sense. I’m keenly aware that the term “OCD” is often thrown around as a light joke, which presented a challenge when I was in the trenches of surviving and healing. I was coming to grips with my mental battles, trying so hard to fight back and create new patterns in my mind, and I just wanted others to know that I’m trying to get it right and not be weird. I’m now in an even different place from that, and I’m able to smile and stay calm internally when I hear an OCD joke. 😊 I’m saying all of this to bring an awareness to the struggles we might be facing that no one knows about, especially the things we think would make zero sense to another human, and we vow to never let others see what goes on in our minds, because we believe “no one else would be that crazy” and “no one will ever understand”. Struggles are real. Thoughts and feelings are valid. YOU are valid and WORTH fighting for! Your peace is worth fighting for. 🫶🏼🫶🏼

Marriage isn’t meant to be boring or mundane—it’s meant to be full of connection, fun, and passion. And one of the easiest ways to keep that spark alive? Flirting. Flirting with your spouse isn’t just playful—it’s powerful. It’s a way to remind them (and yourself) of the desire that brought you together in the first place. It’s about keeping the dynamic fresh, exciting, and full of life, no matter how long you’ve been together. A simple wink, a cheeky smile, or a suggestive comment can completely change the tone of your day. Whisper something in their ear when no one’s looking. Slide a playful note into their pocket. Text them something spicy in the middle of the day. These little moments build anticipation, remind your partner how much they’re desired, and keep things far from routine. It doesn’t have to be elaborate—sometimes it’s just the way you look at them from across the room or the way you casually brush by them with intention. These small acts send a big message: “I still see you. I still want you. And I’m still crazy about you.” Life can be stressful, routines can be demanding, and it’s easy to fall into autopilot. But creating an adventurous, flirtatious dynamic adds energy, fun, and intimacy to your marriage. It turns the ordinary into extraordinary and keeps you both excited about the connection you share. So don’t hold back. Tease a little, laugh a lot, and let them know they’re still the one who lights your fire. Flirting isn’t just for new couples—it’s the secret sauce to staying passionately connected for life.

We often think of validation as something we offer in moments of pain—to acknowledge someone’s struggle or hurt. And while that’s important, validation is just as crucial for the good emotions: the hopeful, joyful, and positive ones. How often do we unconsciously dismiss the good moments without realizing it? Someone shares their excitement, and we respond with something neutral like, “That’s nice,” or quickly shift the focus. It’s not intentional, but it cuts short the joy they’re experiencing. Validation isn’t just about comforting someone in hard times; it’s about letting them marinate in the oxytocin that comes from positive feelings. When someone shares a win, a dream, or a spark of hope, our validation amplifies that moment. It allows them to stay in that space longer, soaking up the feel-good emotions that fuel connection, creativity, and resilience. So the next time someone shares their joy or excitement, pause. Lean in. Match their energy. Say, “That’s amazing!” or “I’m so happy for you—tell me more!” Watch how their face lights up when you allow them to fully experience the moment. Life isn’t just about working through the struggles—it’s about celebrating the wins. Validation creates space for both, and it deepens the relationships we care about most. Because when we validate the good, we’re not just encouraging positivity—we’re strengthening bonds and creating lasting memories. Let the people around you know it’s okay to feel good. Celebrate with them, cheer them on, and give them the gift of being fully seen in both the hard and the beautiful moments.

My name is Esther. I currently live in Jamesport Missouri, but grew up most of my years in Kentucky. I have 4 children ages 14-6. I have a story, as does everyone, but will try to keep this brief. I’m still learning who I am and what I like but I’m here to develop skills to better connect with my children and learn how to invest wisely and become a better manager of Gods money. I have been in direct sales for the past 6 years with some success. I have an office job and also do transport several days a week which I’ve really come to enjoy. (Except for the time it takes me away from my children.)