Our family likes to watch talent shows (mostly for the singers)—American Idol, America’s Got Talent, and The Voice. My husband calls himself a talent junkie. He’ll put on one of the shows, and I’ll eventually creep in to join him. Sometimes the best part is the judges’ reactions, particularly when you can tell they’ve just…
You might be familiar with this iconic line from the hit series Friends. Every time Joey (Matt LeBlanc) met a new woman, he would inevitably spew his famous line, “How you doin’?” In return, the woman would usually blush and bat her eyes, smitten by him. It’s become a classic Friends line. How are you?…
I am an oldest child. I am a planner and a goal-setter. I have big dreams and plans, and I know exactly how I am going to get there. Then came the drought of 2021. The average rainfall on our North Dakota farm during the growing season is eighteen inches. This year we have had…
“You gave him your debit card?” Incredulous, I stared at my soon-to-be-fiancé. Only now I wasn’t so sure our engagement would happen as soon as I hoped. After six years of dating, I knew it was coming. I’d helped pick out the ring. I knew he’d been saving and that all that money was in…
For most of my life, I have been a non-confrontational person. I hate conflict, and I especially hate bringing up something in conversation that might cause conflict. I have also had trouble being vulnerable about myself and my experiences. So if a topic means being vulnerable and potentially causing conflict, my instinct is to shy…
A few months ago, my husband, Tony, and I were returning home after an annual five-day gathering with siblings and cousins. We always have a blast, and this year also included a wedding. During our drive from Indiana to Florida, I-75 unfolded before me, but I wasn’t enjoying the view. I was tired. Not myself….