Laura's Strengthening Marriage Blog

Official Blog of Author and Intimacy Expert Laura M. Brotherson

Romantic Valentine’s Day Ideas

February 8th, 2012 by Laura M. Brotherson

Less than a week left til Valentine’s Day! Do you have plans?!

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Valentine’s Day is one of my very favorite holidays! It’s a wonderful opportunity to make sure your sweetheart knows how much you love them, and to create a fun family tradition for your children as well. I hope you all will make Valentine’s Day a special day for showing your love!

Valentine’s Chocolate Nuggets Labels

I’m so glad I learned about this wonderful blog “Love Actually” that has tons of great romantic ideas to keep the spark alive in your marriage. It provided a perfect, fun idea for me to add to our romantic Valentine’s Day festivities this year! My husband’s favorite candy is those Hershey Nuggets with toffee and almonds, so the cute Valentine’s Day labels were perfect.

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Category: Date Night, Family, Gift Ideas, Marriage, Valentine's | No Comments »

Monday Marriage Funnies: The Primitive Valentine’s Day

February 6th, 2012 by Laura M Brotherson

I think this is where the saying, “Sorry honey. I’ve got a headache” came from!

Hey guys, hope you’ll treat your honey a bit better than this if you want to have a good Valentine’s Day! : )

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Category: Cartoons, Misc/Fun, Monday Funnies, Valentine's | No Comments »

Monday Marriage Funnies: Almost Romantic

February 6th, 2012 by Laura M Brotherson

Does your spouse need to up the romance a bit?

Watch for our Monday Marriage Funnies (MMF)! Nothing like a little bit of humor for our marriages!

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Category: Cartoons, Marriage, Misc/Fun | No Comments »

Couples Photo Contest Entries

January 30th, 2012 by Laura M Brotherson

We’re loving the entries for our 2012 Couples Photo Contest. Check out some of our first few entries… 

(See if you can find the stow away in this photo! LOL! : )

Be sure to get your pictures in soon, as there will likely be less competition this year for this fabulous prize! But it’s well worth the effort for a chance to get out of your hectic life and into the escape and romance of The Anniversary Inn.

Your photo may be worth nearly $300 if it is chosen for this year’s winner of a romantic getaway to the amazing Anniversary Inn.

Click here for all the details of this annual couples contest!

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Category: Couples Photos, Misc/Fun | No Comments »

Developing a Sexual Identity

January 25th, 2012 by Laura M. Brotherson

couple-happy

This post is in connection with episode #030 “I Am a Sexual Being, and It’s Good” of The Marital Intimacy Show. For your convenience, the questions from that episode are posted here.

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I’ve recently come across some interesting research about women and the sexual issues they face, and what some of the best approaches are for helping women with these issues. It really boils down to women developing a sexual identity, or having that foundation for their intimate relationship in marriage.

Sexual Identity

What is a sexual identity? Basically it means that you see yourself as a sexual being, and embrace that as a good thing. And I’d even take it a step further to say that part of a healthy sexual identity is understanding the fact that your sexuality is of God. Read the rest of this entry »

Category: Marital Intimacy Show, Sex | No Comments »

New Couples Contest…with a Twist!

January 19th, 2012 by Laura M Brotherson

Get your cameras ready!

We’re excited to announce our annual Couples Contest / Valentine’s Giveaway to the romantic Anniversary Inn. And to celebrate the release of And They Were Not Ashamed in eBook form (Kindle, Nook, etc.) we are adding a “prop” to the couples photos for you to send us.

Just send us a photo of you and your spouse with a copy of our book or eBook And They Were Not Ashamed: Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment for a chance to win a fabulous ~ FREE ~ one-night getaway to the delicious Anniversary Inn of your choice, in the suite of your choice! (Valued up to $289!) …and that’s any Anniversary Inn in any state!

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Category: Couples Photos, Date Night, Misc/Fun | 3 Comments »

Sex is Easy–Lovemaking Takes Effort

January 14th, 2012 by Laura M. Brotherson

Couples kiss closeup face

The mechanics of “having sex” are fairly simple, but really “making love” and developing a good intimate relationship takes some time and effort. Movies, pornography and other media tell us that sex is–or should be–easy, which is a set up for problems in a real relationship. For those who have ingested pornography, it’s difficult to have a healthy and accurate perspective of sexuality, and to separate fantasy from reality.

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Category: Intimacy, Pornography, Sex | 1 Comment »

Have You Lost That Lovin’ Feeling about Kissing?

January 6th, 2012 by Laura M Brotherson

Many couples have lost that lovin’ feeling when it comes to kissing and making out!

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When was the last time you and your spouse made out?! Many couples have lost that lovin’ feeling when it comes to kissing and having fun making out.

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Category: Intimacy, Marriage, Sex | No Comments »

Self-Help Sex Therapy

January 2nd, 2012 by Laura M. Brotherson

Now that I am pretty heavy into counseling and therapy in my practice I am finding it difficult to find enough time to help everyone that is requesting my services. In addition, there are some who may not be able to afford counseling or who have spouses that won’t talk to anyone about it…at least at this point.

So, the purpose of this post is to provide some first steps for individuals or couples while they are waiting for additional help (particularly those on my current waiting list) or for those who are on their own in trying to improve their intimate relationship.

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Category: Intimacy, Marriage, Sex | 3 Comments »

Yay for Date Night!—Quotes & Resources

December 9th, 2011 by Laura M. Brotherson

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It’s Friday night. Do you have some plans for date night with your spouse?! It need not be expensive, just something to give you a chance to reconnect after a long week. It’s also great for emotional foreplay for both husband and wife! : )

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Category: Date Night, Intimacy, Marriage, Sex | No Comments »