I recently told you guys that hubby and I are considering joining the Air Force. Yes, both of us. For the most part, we’ve gotten positive feedback and lots of support. Even from some people I did not expect would support it right away (my mom and one of my oldest friends), almost everyone feels like it’s a good idea. There are some people, however, who question our decision and wonder why we’re choosing the military for the next chapter in our lives. While I don’t really owe anybody an explanation, I always like to express my reasoning for things because one of my biggest pet peeves is being misunderstood.

So why the Air Force? Why the military at all? Why now? Why both of us? There’s a few reasons. One of the biggest being that I’ve been unemployed for 15 months now. That’s a long time for someone who has always had a strong work ethic. While freelance writing has kept me afloat during this time, it still hasn’t been as fulfilling as having a guaranteed income and a full time job. Despite the hundreds of applications I’ve put in, and the scores of interviews I’ve gone to and didn’t get the job for one reason or another, I’m still waking up every morning wondering if anything would change from day to day.

School is ending and a lot of my former classmates have graduated or are graduating. While I’m so proud of them and happy for them, it also makes me realize I should be walking the stage along with them. But life got in the way and I took a break from school to work full time. Now the jobs that I find require a degree I don’t have or experience I don’t meet yet. I only have 3 years experience as a Social Media Coordinator. That’s enough for some if I had a degree. It’s not enough for others to look past that fact.

Even part time jobs like fast food places and clothing stores aren’t interested because I don’t have that experience. Trust me, I’ve applied to McDonalds, Starbucks, and department stores. I never hear anything back. When I call, they refer me to the online application I’ve already filled out. I’ve tried Craigslist and the few jobs that are interested in me don’t choose me as the candidate they hire. All this defeat is upsetting and depressing.

What about the Sheriff’s Department? I can honestly say this is the longest process I’ve ever endured. I took my written test in December. I turned in my background application in March. I have yet to hear from my background investigator. I’ve applied for several other positions within the department, but the process would be just as long. While some would say I have nothing but time, I feel differently because I still have bills to pay. I have maxed out credit cards from trying to survive when I first lost my job. I have a loan I have to pay back. I’m paying for school. I’m paying for storage. Gas is ridiculous. My income and outcome are not on the same page.

So why not the Air Force? We have family members who are in it and we’re more familiar with it than any other military branch. Minimum amount of service is 4 years, so even after serving, we’ll both still be young (25 or 26 depending on when we enlist). We’d have guaranteed jobs, a steady paycheck, amazing benefits, housing, and we could continue our education while serving our country. Will we have to move? Yes. Will we be away from our family? Yup. Could we be physically separated? Possibly.

But we don’t have children, which is a plus. There’s a possibility we could stay together. We could pay off our debt. We can finish school and have assistance paying for it. We can have careers and additional career experience. We could travel. We’d be in a much better situation than we’re in now. Back home, separately, with no money and lots of bills? Who wants to wake up to that reality day to day? Not me.

So yes, the Air Force sounds good to me. I want this. I need this. I feel like I’ve been patient and I’ve tried really hard and nothing’s really moving forward. I need a change in the right direction. So some people may say why, I’m saying why not?

Hubby and I had a great time away from it all in Las Vegas for our anniversary. However, all good things must come to an end, so we made our way back to reality on the day of our actual anniversary. On our way back, we brought up our next steps, our next chapter of our lives. Somehow, the military came up. We’re not really strangers to the service. His oldest sister and her husband are in the Air Force. One of my brothers is also in the Air Force. We both have friends in the service. We discussed the possibilities of how our life would change if we did what neither one of us previously considered. We agreed we’d look more into it.

The next day, I woke up and went to the Air Force website. I learned about what was expected and what to look forward to. 8.5 weeks of Basic Military Training in San Antonio, Texas. Probably the hardest weeks of my life physically and possibly mentally. Amazing benefits, including pay, rent, a guaranteed job, and much more. A route I previously vowed to never really consider was seeming like a new route towards the life we wanted. As usual, I was more focused on making it happen. I asked hubby if he’d go to the recruiter’s office with me that day. He declined, but I still wanted to learn more.

My mom took the news so much better than I expected. She supported right off the bat and went with me to the local recruiter’s office. The guy was super nice and answered a lot of my questions. I took a pre-test and scored pretty well. I learned about some of the different bases, expectations (4 years of service minimum), and that this would be an awesome opportunity for a young couple such as us. The only thing really standing in my way to continue is I have to lose 15 more pounds, so that’s my mission.

Hubby and I were talking about it yesterday and he was hesitant because his dad is sick, going through chemo, and he doesn’t really want to leave him. Completely understandable. He said he wanted to talk to him about it, get his opinion and words of wisdom. I told him I understood and also I was honest about my feelings. I was feeling that he was more asking his dad for permission to live his life. I made it clear I wasn’t making him choose between me and his parents, but I wanted him to understand that when it comes down to it,  he also has an obligation to me as his wife to make our lives better as well. I wasn’t guilt tripping him; I wanted him to understand where I was coming from and to know that I understand his position as well.

This morning, he brought up the Air Force to his dad. He said his dad flipped out. He thinks he’s going to go to combat and pulled a major guilt trip on hubby: what if he passes away while he’s gone. I felt that was completely unfair of him to do that, but hubby said regardless, he’s going to do it. I don’t want him to resent me about the decision and I want the decision to be his own. I also want us to be in a better situation than we’re in now. I want us to live the life we want to live.

After talking to his dad, hubby went to the recruiter’s office. I was so happy that he went, even if he didn’t go with me. That showed me that this is something he actually wants to do also. He also did well on his pre-test and the recruiter is excited for us. I’m feeling anxious because this is a huge step for us as individuals and for us as a married couple. There will be times where we’re not together and can’t be together, much farther than the 3.5 miles we’re apart right now.

So who knows! Maybe we’re both going to the Air Force. Maybe something else will happen. Whatever the case may be, we have to endure this together.

What do you think about us joining the military? Do you have experience with this? Words of advice?

This Sunday will mark my one year anniversary from the day I became 20 and married. Can you believe it, because I sure can’t! For those of you who’ve been around that long (thank you for your support) you’ll remember that this time last year, I was debating on whether I would have a courthouse wedding, no wedding, or move on with the wedding I always wanted but could no longer afford. We decided to wed at the local courthouse and have been happily married ever since.

Well obviously, it wasn’t always happy times. We went through a lot just in this past one year. We welcomed Frankie into our lives, hubby got laid off, we struggled to make ends meet and keep our marriage strong. We laughed, we cried, and we learned about each other. I personally was a bit disappointed that what was supposed to be our “honeymoon” period was anything but, yet I realized something I already knew: we’re the exception, not the rule.

My first year as a wife has taught me:

• To be less selfish. Selfish was never a word I’ve described myself as in the past, but then again, my life was usually all about me anyways. When you’re in a partnership like a marriage, you have to exchange “I” and “me” for “us” and “we”. I used to think that was so corny but it’s so true. Things that in the past may have only affected me would also in some way affect my hubby. So I had to make decisions with him in mind.
• Hubby actually listens to me. Not only that, but when it comes to making decisions, I almost always have the last say! I was not expecting this at all, but I have learned that my husband trusts my instincts and my opinions, and does not just discard them. I used to think he would hear me but not listen to me, but I soon learned he truly does listen to what I’m saying.
• It’s easy to lose your identity as a spouse. I don’t want this to come off as bad as it sounds, but when we first got married, I was so focused on my role as a wife. However, that’s not the only role I hold. I’m also a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, a friend, and also an individual. I know this sort of goes against my first point, but at times I found myself sacrificing my identity in order to be the best wife. But I can’t be the best wife if I’m slacking in other areas of my personality. So I’m learning to balance the role.
• Communication is more than talking at each other. Hubby and I have definitely been working on our communication since we got married. It’s not enough to talk at each other. You have to talk with each other, and ensure that the conversation is understood on both ends. We communicate using eye contact, undivided attention, physical touch, and of course electronic methods like e-mail, instant message, and text. We try to verify what we mean before jumping to conclusions.
• Our love languages. To this day, 5 Love Languages is the best marriage book I have read. I learned that my love languages are words of affirmation and acts of service, while hubby’s are physical touch and quality time. This has helped me understand more the ways my husband shows me he loves me, and has helped me express to him that I love him. Knowing this will certainly keep our marriage strong.

I learned so many things just in this one year of being a wife. As we approach 5 years of being in a relationship, I am still learning so much about my husband. From the things he experienced in his childhood, to his preference of television shows, I gain new knowledge that makes my significant other so much more interesting. Just the other day, we had an intense conversation on our favorite cereals growing up (I love / he loathes Honey Nut Cheerios, I loathe / he loves Pops).

In a couple of hours, we’ll be heading to Las Vegas to celebrate one year of being husband and wife. We have a very laid back agenda, which is mainly going to be focused on relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. It’s much needed and anticipated, especially since we really only spend 2-3 nights with each other per week. I’m looking forward to our time together.

So I get to say my marriage lasted longer than a lot of celebrities, even at just the 1 year mark. But I’m not stopping there. I can’t wait to celebrate each and every year. I’m excited to learn even more about him. I can’t wait until we get back on our feet financially and get to be back under the same roof on a daily basis. In a few years, children are on the horizon. I love him more today than I did last year, which I didn’t think was possible, but now I certainly understand.

I’m so blessed to have such an amazing man by my side who loves me unconditionally, despite my many faults and flaws. Someone I feel absolutely comfortable around to talk about anything and do anything with (like our 7-11 Slushie binge this past summer). I have someone to argue with and make up with. Another person to stuff my face with and take an afternoon nap with. Someone who I can make laugh and who tickles me uncontrollably.

Are we perfect? Absolutely not. But we fit together perfectly. I wouldn’t trade him for anything (although I’d be willing to rent him out, jk). I’ll probably strangle him with love this weekend. When I get smitten like this, I just can’t let go. And he thinks mushy stuff is weird which makes me do it even more.

So cheers to year #2 of being Mrs. Myricks. I even love my name! But I hate that no one pronounces it correctly. It was so much simpler being a Ford. It’s My-ricks. Just how it’s spelled! But I digress. It’s his name so I love it.

What did you do for your first anniversary? What did you learn your first year of marriage?

Saturday night, I went out with hubby to celebrate his best friend’s graduation. It was a cultural affair (his best friend is Ethiopian) and went on for hours, but we really enjoyed ourselves. Even though I spent my two nights at his house earlier in the week, I told my mom I was staying another night because it was late by the time the event was over. So I got to spend another night with my husband (funny how that sounds, isn’t it?) I was happy I was next to him but I contemplated going home because I was freezing! But what’s one night of freezing when I get to spend it with the one I love?

My, how that thought hit home when I woke up Sunday morning. Logging on to Facebook expecting to see the lovely posts of how much my friends love their mothers and all the wonderful moms around them, I read a devastating Facebook status. A status that read Rest in Peace. My heart dropped all the way down to my feet and I was still laying down. I scrolled down my feed and read the status again…and again. I logged on to Twitter to see if the rumors were true. They were. Another classmate of mine passed away. His life was taken all too soon.

This loss hurt for numerous reasons. My classmate was a great guy. He was funny, he was awesome at football, and he was doing big things with his life. The loves of his life were his girlfriend and his daughter. He was such a great dad. So to know that a young woman loss the love of her life and a little girl loss her father, my soul ached. I was distraught all day. A mother loss her son on Mother’s Day.

It’s awful that it takes a loss to realize how temporary life is, how short it can be. My classmate made it so clear how much he loved his family and friends. That’s why everyone is so hurt. I couldn’t imagine losing my husband. I would absolutely lose my mind. As some of my friends say on Twitter, I “might don’t make it”. But it’s a possibility. A very sobering possibility. The last thing you want on your mind when a loved one passed away is “did they know how much I loved them?”

A lot of people are hesitant in relationships because they’re afraid of being hurt. We reserve ourselves and don’t allow ourselves to be vulnerable because of the fear of being hurt. We have to take that risk. That’s how we learn what true love feels like. Sometimes we focus so much on our needs when we should try to see what we can do to show our loved ones how much we love them. It doesn’t have to be your significant other, although that’s the perfect place to start.

I’d be the first to admit I’m not the best at loving to my maximum, but I want to change that. I don’t want to make anymore mistakes. I don’t want to hold grudges. I want to forgive. I want to love. I want to mend broken relationships with my family and friends. We thrive on energy, and the energy that love gives you is amazing. You can’t love to your maximum if you’re holding on to something or restricting yourself.

Unconditional love is the greatest gift to give and receive. It makes you richer than any billionaire. It gets you higher than any drug. It’s so rewarding. It’s so fulfilling. It’s such a blessing. We take it for granted. Let us try to love to our maximum.

It’s a no brainer that when you get married, you’re starting a new nuclear family. The husband is the head of the household and the wife is second in command. Part of your family will include your children, maybe your parents or your spouse’s parents, and even your pets. Every person in the family should have responsibilities and expectations. While your family should be a source of love and support, you should also think of your family as a small business.

Family meetings used to sound a bit cliche but after watching How to Have a Family Meeting the Stoddard Way, I was inspired. This family certainly gave me some great ideas for when hubby and I build our family. First, I wasn’t quite sure what goes on during a family meeting. I believe the first place to start is by assigning roles to everyone.

Family Roles

In our (future) household, hubby will automatically assume the role of President of the household. We believe that the man is the head of the house and it will also be the same for our “business”. As the wife (mom in the future), I will assume the role of Vice President, or second in command. Other families may want the husband and wife to be Co-Presidents or Co-Captains. That’s fine, whatever works for your family. I have no problem being the second in charge. Although hubby always confirms with me and runs things by me, ultimately things will be his decision. (I have the power but I like to let him think he does haha).

When we have children, I think it’ll be great to have them each assume a role. Maybe someone will take on the role of Secretary and take notes during the meetings. Maybe we’ll have a Treasurer who, when they’re old enough, will handle the budget. In the beginning, one of us (or both of us) will be handling the household finances, but it’d be great to teach our children that early. Someone can assume the position of Historian and document family outings and memories. Everyone having a role will ensure everyone will feel important and that they matter.

Family Agenda

No meeting should occur without a clear agenda of what’s to be discussed. There should be regular things that always occur for each meeting. In our family, I’d love to start off with a prayer, family updates, a topic of discussion, and end with feedback. The family updates can be anything from how the week went, what you’re working on, how you’re feeling, etc. Along with the family updates will be a report of the budget. I think a budget is very important for every family to have, and each family member should know what’s going on in the budget. What bills are getting paid? What’s the savings account looking like? How about the vacation fund? Who earned their allowance? That should be public information for the entire household. A topic of discussion could be something going on in current events, in the household, or something that everyone in the family needs to be aware of. Feedback can be something that one family member needs to say to another, and it should be a supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable saying things in a non-judgmental way.

Regular Occurrence

Some people will choose to have their family meetings on a nightly basis, maybe during dinner. Others may choose weekly, monthly, or even an annual meeting. I would love to sit down with my family every night but I personally don’t want to make every night a meeting night. I think once a week for brief updates. Once a month for a recap of the month’s progress. Once a year to assess and decide on goals for the following year. The important thing is to be consistent. I’ve seen a lot of families say they’ve had meetings but inconsistently. I want our family to succeed in every avenue, so holding regular meetings is going to be crucial.

I’m a nerd though, so I know this doesn’t excite most people, but the idea of a family meeting makes me happy. I love agendas and appointments and updates. Those things tickle me and irk others. Whatever the case may be, try it out. You don’t need kids to start your family meeting. If it’s just you and your spouse, have it a little less formal, but take it seriously nonetheless. Open lines of communication, transparency, and honesty is what makes a family unit thrive.

Have you held family meetings? What are your tips and suggestions?

Many people can feel nervous about starting to date online as they’re worried about getting it right. Like anything, online dating has its dos and don’ts. Follow them and it’s really quite a simple process. If you’re thinking about trying online dating and want to go about it the right way, then here are five things to avoid.

Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not

It can be tempting to embellish when creating your profile or even when chatting with someone online. Just remember you’re looking for someone who wants to connect with the real you. Using a fake photo, lying about your interests or job and generally painting a false picture are not a good idea.

At some point you’re going to need to come clean and it will leave people feeling cheated. Think about how much you appreciate honesty in other people’s profiles and make sure you do the same for yours.

Don’t be negative

Knowing what you’re looking for in a partner and being honest about that is imperative in online dating. However, it’s important not to be negative. Try listing what you are looking for rather than what you’re not.

Listing all the things you’re not looking for can make you seem judgemental. Many people can also feel rather shy about dating and you don’t want to put them off by giving the impression you’re a harsh judge.

Don’t be hands off

As with many things, you’ll get out what you put into online dating. Setting up a profile and then sitting back, waiting for Mr or Mrs Perfect to get in touch is not the best idea. Remember, there might be a lot of users and your profile might not show up straight away. Take charge and proactively search for someone who interests you and get in touch.

Women also need to remember to be hands on in terms of suggesting a date. You don’t have to leave it to the man to decide and he’ll likely appreciate you making the first move.

Don’t be too critical

Remember that a person’s profile is only part of their story so don’t be too critical of how they look on paper. Don’t write someone off straight away because of one aspect of their profile that you don’t like. It might turn out to be a very small part of who they are and once you get to know them they might be the love match you’ve been waiting for.

Don’t be fooled into thinking free means better

With several different dating sites out there, make sure you do your research and choose the one that’s right for you. Remember, free doesn’t always mean better. Many of the free sites don’t send through suggestions of people who might work for you.

Other sites, such as eHarmony, will work to match your profile with that of another and send through recommended matches. The eHarmony free trial means users can even receive and review their recommended matches for free.

I am a nag. In fact, without knowing the requirements or the course load, I can guarantee that I am a certified nag. Sometimes my nagging is merely for recreational purposes and it’s just that I am in need of some mild form of entertainment. But, there are times that I must use my powers for good (i.e. begging my husband to please, for the sake of all that is right with the world, run the vacuum, or to reiterate that when I say, “Please help me clean,” it means more than half-heartedly folding some random piece of clothing in the midst of a tornado ravaged living room, then resuming reading the new book that he recently downloaded on his Kindle Fire).

With that said, sometimes, as a nag, I simply don’t give credit when credit is due. So here’s to my husband:

• Who washes the dishes every single evening after I cook
• Who feeds the baby at night if we wakes up because my husband knows he can operate on much less sleep than I can
• Who brings me tea when I am sick
• Who does his fair share of changing the baby’s diapers (even the awful ones)
• Who visited every single daycare facility with me and listened to me complain about the awful institution of daycare when I went through the phase of believing my son was too good for daycare
• Who accompanied me to our son’s first day of daycare and took over getting our son settled in his room when I broke down crying
• Who proposed that I stay home instead of sending our son to daycare when he watched how devastated I was to leave him
• Who did not treat me like a crazy lady when I asked him to call the daycare and check on our son one hour after we left
• Who helps me research the most impossible topics for work when I have reached my breaking point
• Who tells me I look just like I did before I had the baby when we both know that ain’t true
• Who loves my mother as much as I do and is always coming up with ways to ensure she is happy
• Who offers to cook when I am tired, even though we both know he can barely boil water and is just —well, a good man

My husband isn’t perfect. We have a our fair share of disagreements and sometimes I wonder if he is the same person that I dated two years ago. But, when I read the above list, I realize he is. Marriage isn’t perfect. But sometimes we can get so incredibly caught up with what is wrong and what the other person is not doing, that we forget to reflect upon the things that are good. Here’s to hoping you take a moment to do the same for your partner.

Why does your spouse deserve the award for best significant other? Tell us 3 things that make you absolutely love and appreciate your lover.

It’s not all that uncommon, especially with older generations. There are some couples who swear that sleeping in separate bedrooms has kept them married for years and years. And sources say the trend is on the rise again. According to Huffington Post, separate bedrooms can steam up a marriage. Sort of playing on the “absence makes the heart grow fonder” saying, couples insist that having separate bedrooms and/or bathrooms keeps the spice in your life, indicating that being a little more reserved about your nudity and other strange habits we discover about our spouse when we move in together more of a secret.

Can you remember the time you saw your husband shaving naked? Have you tried to forget that day you discovered your wife poops too? Would you go to the extreme of being a little more conservative with your openness? I took to the social sphere to find out what others thought:

Couples, chime in: separate bedrooms, yay or nay? Why or why not?

May 6, 2012 5:15 pm via FacebookReplyRetweetFavorite

@20andengaged

Briana Myricks

@20andengaged Nay, intimacy built by both convenience and inconvenience.

May 6, 2012 5:19 pm via HootSuiteReplyRetweetFavorite

@scoblentz

Suzanne Coblentz

@20andengaged I don't have a problem with it...as long as the couple agrees on it, sure why not?

May 6, 2012 5:19 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@ScoutsHonor21

Miss Dei

@20andengaged I vote no. I see cohabitation as a big part of marriage, and to me that means sharing a bedroom, bathroom, everything

May 6, 2012 5:27 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@4hatsandfrugal

Amiyrah Martin

@20andengaged Hubs snores & still NAY! There's sex factor but intimacy in general. We have some of our best spontaneous convs in bed.

May 6, 2012 5:28 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@BKGurl208

Tasha

@20andengaged Nah, I think you would lose the intimacy and just end up growing apart. Maybe diff rooms like a man cave and a girls room.

May 6, 2012 5:29 pm via Twitter for AndroidReplyRetweetFavorite

@ypfinances

YPFinances

@20andengaged Nay to the separate bedrooms. Unless one is is acquires a severe medical allergy to the other we're bunking together.

May 6, 2012 5:32 pm via UberSocial for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@mrssays

The Mrs

@20andengaged A couple of my friends parents do this. While it's not something I would do, I do believe that diff things work for diff ppl

May 6, 2012 5:39 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@SenseofCents

Michelle

@20andengaged Nay. Important to intimacy to share a bed.

May 6, 2012 5:53 pm via HootSuiteReplyRetweetFavorite

@thriftyandfit

Kristen

In our townhouse, hubby and I had different bathrooms and he had a man cave. But we slept in the same room.

May 6, 2012 5:41 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@20andengaged

Briana Myricks

I asked hubby what he thought and he said:

I think I watched my grandparents sleep in separate bedrooms for 20 years and I never understood it.

Sound off! What do you think about separate bedrooms? Does it set the flames or put them out?

Yesterday, my father-in-law started his first day of chemotherapy. It’s been something we’ve been anticipating for a while now, but nevertheless, it’s certainly scary. I saw that hubby was a little unnerved yesterday, and no doubt he’s been worried about his dad’s health. At church on Sunday, the pastor prayed vigorously for the family, and at the end of the prayer, I noticed hubby and my mother-in-law both sneak off to the bathroom to wipe their tears. It was quite emotional.

Just a few years ago, it was my mom who was very sick and it was really scary. We constantly were going to the emergency room. Multiple medications and misdiagnoses later, my mom had a heart attack. I was so scared, but hubby (then boyfriend) was there for me the whole time. The tough thing is, it’s sort of hard being there for your significant other when a parent is sick. It’s hard to see them going through the emotions, and knowing that you can’t do much except offer supportive words.

A lady I know and respect told me that one of the hardest tests on your marriage is when a parent passes away. I can’t imagine the pain that has to be experienced when that time comes. I hate talking about death, and don’t want to imagine a life without our parents, but it is unfortunately inevitable. My in-laws are considerably older than my parents, but anything can happen. It’s just really stressful to even think about.

One of the stressors is the inevitable drama that will occur when my FIL passes away. Hubby has 11 brothers and sisters who will undoubtedly come out from the woodwork insisting something belongs to them. MIL is going to be in a daze. Hubby is going to be upset. I’m going to have to be the rock and the glue to keep things in order. It’s going to be hard but as is life and death.

I pray that my FIL’s chemotherapy goes smoothly. I’ve heard stories about how hard it can be on the person and the family, so I’ve just been asking God for strength for my family.

Have you had to deal with a sick parent or in-law? How did it affect your marriage?

I hear the sounds of “hell yes” and “hell no” coming from many of you. Could you have sex with your spouse 7 days in a row? What if it was an attempt to save your marriage? The good people of Lifetime have started a new series called 7 Days of Sex, where they challenge married couples to make love everyday for a week, in an attempt to increase their intimacy and bring them closer together.

I just finished watching the 1st episode, and I love it. They profiled two couples who were having sex irregularly. One couple cited their children and being tired as the reason they weren’t doing the deed consistently. The other couple had no children, but were stressed by their financial situation (been there, done that). So what happens when married couples do what, well, married couples should be doing anyways? You can catch the episode online.

Could I do it? I don’t know. 7 days in a row is a lot LOL. I thought intimacy was sparse before, but try not even living in the same house. Awkward! But nevertheless, it would certainly be an experiment I’d be willing to try. One thing you’d have to do is spice it up. If you see sex as a chore or a thing on your to-do list doesn’t make it exciting. It could make you dread it instead. Vary the times and locations. Try new ways and incorporate new things. Ask what your partner wants. Tell your partner what you want.

I think that this type of intimacy is an important piece in the success of a marriage. Why else do you think a pastor brought a stripper pole into the pulpit? Even when I was reading Spousonomics, I was surprised to see that sex is one of the first things to go in a marriage. If your spouse’s primary love language is physical touch like hubby’s is, then sex will most certainly be an integral part of the way you show them that you love them.

Sex has become so taboo and hush hush, and also tainted by the media, thrown in our faces and yet people get so much anxiety when it’s talked about. Sex education should be more than preventing teens from getting pregnant. There should be a movement of sex education for married couples too. Talk about it with your significant other and see if they’d be up for the challenge, or at least game enough to watch the show with you.

Do you think a 7 day sex challenge could help a marriage? Why or why not? How important is physical intimacy in your relationship?