FEATURED ARTICLES
The Groom’s Guide to the Engagement Stage
What the engagement means and how it prepares you for marriage.
The moment of engagement is often remembered as one of the most vivid milestones in a man’s life. It marks the shift from being a partner in a relationship to stepping into the role of a future husband. For grooms, the engagement period is more than a formality; it is a stage of preparation, learning, and growth. It is the bridge between commitment made in private and commitment soon to be declared before family, friends, and community.
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Engagement has historically served as a public acknowledgement of intent. In many cultures, it was not simply a time for planning the celebration but an essential phase where families were informed, introduced, and united. Today, while social structures may have changed, the essence remains: the engagement period offers time for a couple to prepare for the realities of marriage while sharing the joy of their decision. For the groom, this period can be both exciting and filled with responsibility, as it sets the tone for the months leading up to the wedding.....
Relationship
Pitfalls for Men
What studies show erodes love over time.
Relationships rarely collapse in a sudden storm. More often they erode over time, the foundation worn away by habits and small missteps that may not appear destructive in the beginning. Research in psychology and sociology shows that certain patterns slowly diminish affection, respect, and connection, leaving couples feeling estranged even while living side by side. For men preparing for marriage, awareness of these patterns is more than useful, it is essential, because marriage is built on daily choices that either strengthen or weaken the bond.
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One of the most well-documented killers of relationships is criticism that shifts from behavior to character. John Gottman, a psychologist who has spent decades studying marital stability, has shown that criticism directed at a partner’s identity rather than their actions breeds resentment. Telling a partner that they “always” fail at something or that they “never” care enough makes small frustrations feel like judgments against who they are as a person. Over time, these comments erode trust and affection. What may begin as irritation about housework or punctuality transforms into a sense that one partner is perpetually under attack. It is not the occasional disagreement that corrodes love, but the ongoing habit of framing frustrations as evidence of character flaws....
The Best Philosophy
Books for
the Married Man
Enrich your marriage and perspective
with these timeless reads.
and a constant dialogue. It calls for patience, understanding, and a readiness to see life from perspectives beyond one’s own. For a groom, stepping into this role with clarity and thoughtfulness, the wisdom found in philosophy can provide more than abstract ideas. It can sharpen the way he approaches love, respect, and responsibility. Four books stand out in offering a kind of guidance that transcends time and culture, each opening doors to new ways of thinking about the bonds of marriage and the duties of a man within it.
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Confucius, in ‘The Analects’, offers teachings that are deceptively simple yet endlessly relevant. Rooted in the principle of harmony, his words carry a quiet insistence that character and relationships are inseparable. For the married man, this means cultivating virtues not for himself alone but for the benefit of those closest to him. Respect for family, the practice of courtesy, and the habit of listening with care are constant themes. A groom who reads Confucius does not find rules written for one fixed time but reminders that one’s dignity rests in how he treats others...