The world is full of dating advice – much of which is toxic and damaging to relationships. We approach dating advice from the perspective of Catholic teachings as they relate to the persons and the role that dating and romantic relationships play in our lives as Christians.
In this section, we’ll explore dating advice for first time dates as well as advice for those who are going on their 20th date. More importantly, we’ll look at why relationships sometimes fail and what it takes to make the work.
I vividly remember a day, about three months into my divorce, driving to my counselor’s office. I remember it because I was feeling so emotionally crushed. I had been battling to keep my marriage alive for the prior two years, and for the last three months I had been witnessing its destruction, piece by painful […]
There are many ways to make a bad movie. This week, I’ve decided to give a spanking to two movies that are vastly different yet are equally painful viewing experiences. First, the newest movie of the two is “The Finest Hours,” which tells the story of the most daring small-boat rescue in the US Coast […]
I got a text from a friend last week, “Adam and I broke up.” It was too bad since last month I had drinks with her and Adam and they seemed to be really happy together. It just doesn’t make sense. It raises the question, “Why did this happen?” I know what you’re going to […]
A feeling of relief washed over me as my cellphone began to ring. I could tell from the Caller-ID that it was an international number. My brother was working over in Italy, and I had been anxiously waiting for his call all day. Anxious is probably too mild a word to describe my emotional state […]
It was about two months into my divorce and I was at the grocery store picking up a few things to feed the kids. I was not in there for me, as I was not very hungry. In fact, I had pretty much lost my appetite since my divorce hit. As a result, I had […]
I’m an optimist. Always have been, always will be. I did not get married until I was 46 so I can honestly say I understand what it is like to be single for the holidays and I can honestly say…it never got me down. Other times, yes, but never during the Christmas season. And no…I […]
Christmas was only two months after my divorce was filed. It was a terrible time in my life. I was an emotional wreck, my kids were struggling big-time, and I even got a call from my attorney Christmas morning (he’s Jewish) about some major issue with my divorce. Yet, somehow, I had to pull it […]
It was the eve of Christmas Eve, 2015, the Magnificent Mile Chicago. “You have plans for tonight?” I asked. “No,” she said. “Would you like to grab a drink with me?” She smiled, “Sure”. We both climbed out of the hotel swimming pool and headed to our rooms. She was an Austrian researcher living in […]
It was late one October evening and I was in my basement office. All my kids were sound asleep. Their mother was out — again. This had become part of a distinct pattern over the past year. Her late nights, unexplained absences, missing important school events, and a general detachment from family life, had become […]
Blame it on the Hallmark channel and fairy tale Christmas flicks for convincing us that no matter what our family situation, the Holidays will make everything wonderful when everyone comes together. Maybe that happens for a few, but generally it takes more than decorations and cheery feelings to make those family gatherings memorable experiences. Here, […]
