'50 Shades of Grey ' If you have read the trilogy you have feelings about them. The good, the bad. The possibly pornographic nature of the content. Let me say that I read the trilogy. The books were unlike anything I had ever read, but as a (relationship) writer and an avid book reader, I felt the need to figure out what they were all about. I was not prepared for what I read, but I, like half the women on earth, was gripped by the story. I must have read all three books in less than four days. Although controversial in nature and seemingly improbable in theory, I believe this to be the reason women have been falling over themselves about the possibility of a movie being made out of the

I recently had a question posed to me about "taking sides" after two friends break up. Whom do you give allegiance to? Whoever you have known longer? Whoever wasn't responsible for the breakup? Whoever you have more friends in common with? Some of my best friends have come from a male friend's new relationship. I appreciate it when these relationships last, because then I don't have to choose sides. If the unthinkable happens and they do break up, I have to ask myself these questions: 1. Was I good friends with one of them before they started dating? If so, I have to take into consideration my history with that person. 2. Is one of them really good friends with my husband? I know this q

Q: I know that my boyfriend wants to get married and I think he wants to propose soon, but I have talked with my dad and he said that if my boyfriend asks, he won't give his blessing. It really hurts to know my dad doesn't approve of him, but I love my boyfriend so much. He is exactly the kind of man I have always wanted to marry. I love my dad, but I don't want him to dictate how the rest of my life turns out. I don't know how to make peace with my dad but still marry the man I love. A: That is a really hard situation to be in. I can understand how hurt you must be that your father does not accept the feelings you have for your boyfriend or the decisions you have made. Having a parent's

“Real Relationships.” It’s back. I took a short hiatus because life has been hectic for me. As you may have guessed, this isn't a full-time job for me; actually it isn't a job at all, more like a labor of love. I took a few months off because I didn't have time to manage everything I have going in my life, and this was the easiest thing to toss away. I realized that I can make a very obvious, if not lame, comparison to relationships here. Sometimes we get busy. If you are like me, it is more like occasionally you are not busy, but most of the time you are. It pained me, as I was thinking about how much I missed this little weekly installment, that I was so cavalier with it. Why didn't I t

Pets. Loveable. Frustrating. All-consuming? I seen this more often than I would like. Person A has dog (or cat or bird or whatever). Person A finds themselves in a committed relationship with Person B. Person B does not like animals. Person A is torn. They love their Ruffy, but they also kind of dig Person B. What to do, what to do. Why should you have to choose? If you are an animal lover and you had your best friend before you got in this semi-serious relationship, the incoming significant other needs to understand that your pet is your companion. If they are an animal hater, that is likely to cause some serious dissention in your relationship. I would hate to see relationships fai

I think it is safe to assume that everyone reading this is either a teenager or used to be a teenager. Do you ever look back at your 16-year-old self and feel like punching yourself in the face? I was a late bloomer. I made it to 17 incident-free, but seriously... what was I thinking? It breaks my heart to see parents with errant teens, saddened by their choices and seemingly helpless to correct them. Blank stares, slammed doors, late nights. Teenagers. It breaks my hear to see teenagers – angry, frustrated and unable to effectively communicate with the ones who brought them into this world. I'm not telling you it is easy, or that you can fix it, or, more importantly, that it is anyone’

What separates a shallow relationship from a lifelong commitment? Checking in. OK, I am being super facetious when I say that, because it really can't be separated that way. However, something that I have always appreciated about my husband, even when we were dating, is that he checks in. I, in turn, offer him the same courtesy if I am out of town or going to be working late. By “checking in," I do not mean a 30-minute conversation about everything he did that day or an exact itinerary while he is away. Situation: My husband is out of town for work or screwing around with his buddies. Check-in: Text that says, "Hey wife, hope you had a good day, love you!" Yes, my husband calls me "wi

There are a number of lame decisions that you have to make about your life when you break up with (or divorce) your significant other. One of the worst decisions to be made is how you deal with mutual friendships. Most couples have other "couple friends" or mutual single friends that are part of a group. Well, how awkward is it (particularly if the break-up was messy) to continue to hang out with your mutual friends if your ex is there as well. I suppose it is only awkward if you make it awkward, but consider how your friends must feel. Where does their allegiance lie? Are they trying to figure out how to split their time between the two of you separately, but equal? When they host a part

Romantic relationships are hard. Whether you are in a brand new dating relationship, a lifelong marriage or some kind of awkward in-between stage, there is no easy relationship. If it is easy every day, you may not be doing it right. Real relationships take focus, dedication and time. There are so many contributing factors to the health of your personal relationships, such as work, family, finances, personalities, history, and the list goes on and on. However, looking these challenges in the face while you succeed at your relationship is rich satisfaction. You came, you saw, you conquered. Dating is rough. Can't say I have done it in a long time, but I am very close to those who are. I t

I recently read a blog about comparing ourselves to our friends or society in general and how if affects friendships. I was compelled to think it through and apply the premise to my own life. Do I unconsciously push away relationships because I am too inwardly focused? On the surface, women are the worst offenders, comparing their physical appearance to their friends, celebrities and that other girl who runs by their house each morning (dang, she has a nice body). However, men are just as guilty of competing with their friends and peers for a better car, a better house, a better job, or (gulp) a better-looking girl. Everyone does it. It is human nature. But is this automatic response res