Improving your Relationship

Susan remembers a time when she and Edward couldn't get enough of each other. They would talk for hours on end. Edward wouldn't want to leave when he dropped Susan off after a date, and they would just talk about everything. Now she asks, "Why doesn't Edward talk to me? We used to talk for hours when we were dating and I knew everything about him, but now I can't get him to open up with me and share any of his dreams and concerns and worst of all he doesn't seem to care what's going on in my life." That is not the only thing that has changed in the relationship. Edward remembers the passion he and Susan used to have together when they were playful and couldn't keep their hands off each other. Now he asks, "Why doesn't Susan want to have sex with me very much? She used to be so full of passion, and now she is stoic when I make advances or touch her. She just makes a joke when I bring up us being together intimately." Have you contemplated anything like that about your relationship? Have you wondered where the spark went? Is there a possibility of reigniting it again? Where is that spark hidden now? Even though there is much more to marriage than conversation and sex, these are important elements to a good marriage. So, what does communication and sex have in common? To understand this, one must understand what each of these accomplishes for both the man and woman. Join Edward and Susan as they explore both the wrong and right way they have been approaching communication and sex.

Those who have not been married look at marriage differently than those who have become single and are now looking for a spouse. If you are divorced or widowed, and start dating, you will appreciate the issues addressed in this book. In the companion volume "The Meeting Room" readers are introduced to the on-line dating scene and how to go about preparing their profiles and precautions to take in meeting people. Suggestions are also given for the meeting process. "Dating by Design" comes in where "The Meeting Room" leaves off. After meeting a person and a relationship is established, what is next? This book presents ideas that help form a pathway to intentionally build a solid friendship upon which to build the relationship that can lead to marriage. Those previously married may find that within three to four months of communication and dating that they feel comfortable enough to start talking about marriage. There are so many other aspects of love that need to be incorporated into their relationship in getting to know each other in order to prepare for marriage. A good path intentionally followed will get us to the right destination. This book talks about specifics to bring into the relationship to prepare each for the long journey ahead of them. In this book we will follow Mike and Lisa to learn how to develop that stronger friendship. We will listen in as they talk about their likes and interests that will make them unique as a couple. They will remind us of elements of communication, how to disagree and handle differences in order to be better prepared us for a relationship that is living and not static. It is easy to be attracted to the personality traits opposite from ours, but it is even more important to be alike in the way the couple views life. Follow Mike and Lisa as they learn about love and the strong need to experience love and respect in their relationship. When a person becomes single they face a great amount of loneliness. Courting is more than looking for a replacement partner, it is a time to develop the basis of a lifelong friendship. In courtship it is important to focus on developing your uniqueness as a couple, to lay the groundwork that helps deal with your differences and come to know the needs of each so they realize they are an important entity in this special relationship. I trust that this book will be helpful to the previously married as well as those who have never been married, to build a strong foundation for a lasting relationship. This book will give you the kinds of ideas that will make it easier to be intentional in building the relationship you desire.