Great Marriage

Gossip

Jo Crosby — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 11:31:43 GMT

Have you ever heard a piece of juicy gossip that seemed to fit your heart like a charm? Do you keep a tidbit of talk around only to discover that it has charmed your intentions, perspective, or judgments of a person? Have you normalized tossing a person around, inside out, and upside down as it they didn’t matter or couldn’t hear? Have you laughed it off thinking,
What’s the harm?”

Wounds in Marriage

Jo Crosby — Sat, 05 Sep 2026 11:30:50 GMT

Have you ever wondered if you wounded your spouse? I’m not talking about physical abuse. (Not only is that a different subject, but also a clear, evident NO. And a direct pass to seek professional help.)

Too Affects Two

Jo Crosby — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 11:30:45 GMT

Three letters. Two members of the alphabet. A word small enough to fit into a writer’s pocket, yet large enough to topple the day. A word that can change the plot of the story or alter the plight of my own heart. Whenever I whisper it in prayer, I feel the shift. It’s noted presence echoing something about a situation that matters. The situation may be my physical state, or it might be a decision to make a shopping purchase. It could be that the word describes the wayward state of my feelings. And on several occasions, I’ve used the word to justify choices. Maybe you have too?

Our Social Media Story

Jo Crosby — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 11:30:44 GMT

Last week, I wrote about the heart and the mirror we use to see it. I lightly discussed the idea of social media with its filters and curated stories. Initially, I left it there, as it was. However, the more I wrote, the more I realized that the social media image of our marriage is an actual relevant topic in Great Marriage.

Great Book Resource

Jo Crosby — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 11:31:16 GMT

A few weeks ago, I posted about the power of words in Six Lines. Six Feet. Six Minutes. I thought I would recommend a book we use in office:

Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall

Jo Crosby — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 11:30:49 GMT

Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall.

Do you recognize this common phrase. It was used in a children’s fairy tale, but it’s reach has gone beyond its origin. It lives in the adulthood of most people.

Six Lines.Six Feet Apart.Six Minutes.

Jo Crosby — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 11:30:48 GMT

Six Lines. Six Feet Apart. Six Minutes.

As a writer, I like words. And I love the way words land across a page with beauty and finesse. Much like a skilled fisherman casts a fly upon a river, writing is poetic craft. It’s motion with a landing point. And, when it lands, it can catch. It can catch the attention of the reader.

Mic Drop

Jo Crosby — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 12:01:25 GMT

What is the mic drop moment in your Great Marriage?

The Last Nerve

Jo Crosby — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:00:15 GMT

In your Great Marriage, what steps on your last nerve? What action solidly finds it? What creates the situation that leaves you feeling misunderstood? Overlooked? Frazzled? Stressed to the Max! What pushes you to the edge of “Leave me alone.”

Drift

Jo Crosby — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 12:00:33 GMT

Sweet Spot. The sweet spot of relationship. you’ve been there. That wonderful moment when everything just seems to be perfect. Connection is strong. Stress is low. Closeness is a given. Hearts are happy.

Tense Subjects

Jo Crosby — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 12:00:39 GMT

Some subjects just reek of tension. They enter a conversation as if they have been soaked in stress. There is the common handful: finances, parenting, in-laws, sex. And, then there’s always one or two that are anything but common such as, “Can you look at this bump?”

Lying is a Big Deal

Jo Crosby — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 12:01:54 GMT

It wasn’t a big deal.

It was just a little, tiny lie.

A Smile is the Best Gift

Jo Crosby — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 11:30:51 GMT

Do you have RBF? Resting Bad Face.

Farting Under the Sheets

Jo Crosby — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 12:00:34 GMT

Have your love story behaviors moved from I would never do that to it’s normal.

Here’s a well known secret in marriage: Everyone farts under the sheets; it is never welcomed; and no one likes to talk about it.

Vacation Me

Jo Crosby — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:02:06 GMT

Vacation is not a one-size-fits-all concept. For some, vacation means days of nothing but blue skies and white sand. For others, vacation means an opportunity to visit with extended family. For some, vacation means it’s home project time! None of these views is right nor wrong, but they can collide if each spouse holds a different view.

Through the years, I have heard comments such as “The longer you’re married, the more you look alike, act alike, and sound alike.” I don’t know if that’s true or not? In thirty-seven years of marriage, John and I are more connected, anticipate each other’s needs more accurately, and show more grace, kindness, and flexibility with each other. However, we definitely do not look any more like the other. Although, I would take John’s hair any day of the week.

Happy July 4th

Jo Crosby — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 12:52:01 GMT

Happy 4th of July! John and I hope your weekend is filled with celebration and you make new, fun memories as a couple/family.

Anger Tells a Story

Jo Crosby — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:31:25 GMT

Have you ever struggled your way through a weekend that was ruined by anger? Is it a recent memory?

Anger spoils a lot of moments in marriage.

I can’t recall seeing our chocolate lab, Jake, get angry. Confused. Disappointed. Hungry. Bored. Check, check, check, and check. But angry? Not so much.

Grace

Jo Crosby — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 12:01:09 GMT

Grace.

Such a beautiful word. The way it leaves the vocal cords; lands on the ears; and touches the heart – all simply beautiful.

Anger

Jo Crosby — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:31:04 GMT

Here is a fun (well maybe not fun, but definitely insightful) counseling type of exercise:

Conflict

Jo Crosby — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 12:00:47 GMT

Conflict. It’s common.

Even if it’s not the primary issue, most of the couples we see in our office are struggling with conflict. Turns out, the primary issue typically stirs a lot of emotional debris and chaotic thinking– which leads to conflict. In truth, the primary issue is often easier to address than the conflict itself or the damage created by the conflict.