Category: Relationships

Sacred Love: Being Seen

A Series of Longing from the Song of Songs

I welcome love that sees me and honors me for who I am.

We all have a longing.
To be recognized.
To be understood.
To be cherished.

And yet we often hide the very depths of our souls.
Those quiet places.
Tender spaces.
The place where there is fear.

We fear we are too much.
Or not enough.
Not worthy.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

One of my long-time friends once told me he loved my eyes — “exotic, almond‑shaped,” he said. Forty years later, I still remember those words. Why? Because in that moment, I felt noticed. I felt like I mattered. I felt valued.

How often do people notice a small sacred detail about you and then actually speak it?

What kind of world would we live in if we spoke the beauty we see instead of keeping it to ourselves?

How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes behind your veil are doves. Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from the hills of Gilead.

– Song of Solomon 4:1

May you truly experience what it feels like to be seen —
not for what you do, but for who you are.
May sacred love meet and guide you where you need to be. Amen.

Image Credit: “The Veiled Woman” by Koshyk is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

#SacredLove #SongOfSongs #Valentine’sDay #Intimacy #Faith #Poetry #IntimateFaith #HolyLove #LoveJourney

Sacred Love: Welcome

A Series of Longing from the Song of Songs

Welcome to Sacred Love.
A month of longing.
A month of poetry.
A month of receiving real, sacred love.

Throughout this series, we will explore the longing that rises from the Song of Songs:
the longing to be seen,
to be held,
to be delighted in,
to belong.

This is an invitation to slow down.
To breathe.

To cherish the beauty of intimacy — emotional, spiritual, and physical.
And to honor the desire God placed within us for connection that is tender, virtuous, and deeply human.

I welcome the beauty of sacred love.

February invites us pause and reflect on love—
Not the commercial love of Valentine’s Day.
But the love that is felt before it is understood.
A love that stirs.
A love that is found in the sacred space within each one of us.

Song of Songs is a book of longing—
the longing to connect to another human soul.
One that is designed by God.
Blessed by God.
And breathed into our very being.
Yet it is only experienced when we invite God into it.

Take me away with you—let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his chambers.

—Song of Solomon 1:4

May your heart and eyes open to sacred love.
May you see and feel this love reaching for you more and more each day. Amen.

Two figures embracing by Joy Cho found on Athome.com

#SacredLove #SongofSongs #Valentine’sDay #Intimacy #Faith #Poetry #IntimateFaith #HolyLove #LoveJourney

Sacred Love: Introduction

A Series of Longing from the Song of Songs

Love is tender, poetic, and intimate.
There is no doubt that love rises from the sacred space within each of us.
It is the longing to be seen.
To be heard.
To fill the loneliness.
And to remind us that we were created for connection.

The Song of Songs is one of the poetry books of the bible. It is the 22nd book in the Old Testament. Some say it is erotic poetry. But it is far more than that.

Two lovers on a love journey, each longing for the other. Their story is filled with desire, delight, and devotion. Rich with allegory and vivid imagery, this book sings a song of longing and intimacy —
a song that helps us understand what love is all about.

This month, we will step into that longing. The place where we want to be known,
chosen,
pursued,
and deeply cherished.

Sacred love is designed and defined by God.
It is passionate.
It is faithful.
It is holy.
And it is reachable.

It is like nothing else on this earth.
Love is fragrant.
It is mystical.
It is emotional.
It is intimate.
It is sacred.
It reflects God’s love for us.

And so, we begin —
a month of love. And what better place to start than the Song of Songs.

“Pair lovers, null ida teichmann” is marked with CC0 1.0.

#SacredLove #SongOfSongs #Valentine’sDay #Intimacy #Faith #Poetry #IntimateFaith #HolyLove #LoveJourney

Hey, Honey! I’m Home: Final Thoughts

A Series on Love, Relationships, and Bricks

A Seven-Story House of Love

Image Source: “brick wall” by palmerkim29 is licensed under CC BY 2.0 with inserted text overlay

Brick by Brick

A Solid Foundation

Seven bricks.
One beautiful foundation.
If you’ve made it this far, you’re not just dreaming of love—you’re building it.
One question, one smile, one kind response at a time.

Love

Love isn’t found.
It’s formed.
It’s in between the moments of each day.
It lives in the mundane. The mysterious. The life ever after.

Love isn’t built in a day.
It’s built in the everyday.
It’s not something you find.
It’s something you build.
Together.


Brick by brick.

Practice with me:

When things feel hard, let’s remind each other:

“We’ve got this… brick by brick.”

Want to keep these bricks close by?

I’ve put together a  “7 Bricks to Build a Love that Lasts” PDF—a little reminder you can hang on the fridge or tuck in your journal.

Go to www.thepaisleyfrog.com and fill out the contact form, and I’ll send it your way!

You’ve got this…
A House Built Upon a Rock!

What brick are you working on right now in your relationship?

I’d love to hear in the comments.
Yes, it really does matter for more reach.

#Building Together #FaithandLove #StrongFoundation #MarriageMatters #LifetimeCommitment #BrickByBrick

Hey, Honey! I’m Home: Build Your World

A Series on Love, Relationships, and Bricks

A Seven-Story House of Love

Image Source: “brick wall” by palmerkim29 is licensed under CC BY 2.0 with inserted text overlay

Brick by Brick

Brick 7: Build Your World

This is the fun part.

The inside jokes.
The Friday night pizza routine.
The dance moves no one else gets to see.

Every couple builds a world.

What will yours look like?

Creating shared meaning is what turns a relationship into a home.

It’s the stories you tell.
The quirky traditions that might make others scratch their heads, but make the two of you laugh every time.

Do you have a theme song?
A go-to snack?
A code word for “I need a hug”?

These are the things you create over time.

They whisper:

“We’re a team.”
“We’ve built something that’s uniquely ours.”

And when hard days come (because they will), these shared moments become little lighthouses.

A refuge.
A place to go to for safety.
For joy. And comfort.

Practice with me:

“Let’s brainstorm a team name for us.”
“What’s one thing we could do every month, just us?”
“Remember our first vacation? You bought a postcard? Let’s buy one each time we go somewhere new. Okay?”

A Lifetime

A lifetime of love isn’t about avoiding the cracks.
It’s about noticing them early and repairing them quickly.
Within 24 hours.
So you can get back to what you were meant to do:

Grow together.
Build your world.
One story.
One layer.
One postcard at a time.

Let your love be something between both of you. Something you treasure with your whole heart.

You’ve got this…
A House Built Upon a Rock!

I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Please comment and like this post. Yes, it really does matter for more reach.

#Building Together #FaithandLove #StrongFoundation #MarriageMatters #LifetimeCommitment #BrickByBrick

Hey, Honey! I’m Home: Dream Together

A Series on Love, Relationships, and Bricks

A Seven-Story House of Love

Image Source: “brick wall” by palmerkim29 is licensed under CC BY 2.0 with inserted text overlay

Brick by Brick

Brick 6: Dream Together

Let’s dream a little. Shall we?

Big dreams.
Little dreams.
Someday dreams.
Right now, one’s, too.

Whether it’s climbing Mount Everest or finally cleaning out the garage—

Every. Dream. Matters.

In a healthy relationship, dreams aren’t just “yours” or “mine.” They become ours.

You cheer each other on.

You say:

“I believe in you, honey.”
“I’ve got your back.”
“I’ll hold the ladder while you climb.”

Dreams aren’t always glamorous.

Sometimes they’re small:

Like walking 10,000 steps a day, growing a garden, or returning to school.

The size doesn’t matter.
But support? That matters a lot.

And dreams have a habit of shifting over time.

Keep asking:

“What are your goals today? This weekend? This year?”
“What’s something new you’d love to try?”
“How can I help you get there?”

Practice with me:

“Great job walking 10,000 steps today. I’m proud of you.”
“I see you working so hard. I’m cheering you on.”
“What can I do to help you reach your goal?”

When you dream together, you grow together.

So go ahead and cheer each other on!

Because love isn’t just about where you are now. It’s about where you’re heading—together.

You’ve got this…
Brick by brick.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Please comment and like this post if you feel led.

#BuildingTogether #FaithandLove #StrongFoundation #MarriageMatters #LifetimeCommitment #BrickbyBrick

Hey, Honey! I’m Home: Manage Conflict

A Series on Love, Relationships, and Bricks

A Seven-Story House of Love

Image Source: “brick wall” by palmerkim29 is licensed under CC BY 2.0 with inserted text overlay

Brick by Brick

Brick 5: Manage Conflict

Let’s be honest. Conflict happens whether we like it or not. Even in the best relationships, you’ll hit a bump (or twelve million).

So, how do you manage it?

You learn to fight fair, not dirty.
You’re not enemies.
You’re co-captains of the same ship.
You are mates.
On a ship.
Sailing in the same direction.

It’s okay to feel angry, frustrated, or overwhelmed.

What To Do Next?

That’s what matters.
It’s critical like a SOS.
Will you throw words like daggers?
Or take a breath… and talk it out?

Managing conflict means:

Taking a pause before reacting.
Speaking to your honey, not at them or in a condescending tone.
Choosing calm over chaos.

Why?

Because when you let things fester, it spreads like a fungus.
A virus.
Hard to shake. Harder to fix.

Practice with me:

“I’m sorry you’re upset. Let’s sit down.
Tell me what’s going on—I’ll listen. Promise.”
(Write it down. Repeat it if you need to. It’s okay.)

You’re not trying to “win” the argument.
You’re trying to protect the treasure: your connection.

Every Couple Disagrees

But how you repair those bricks is how the house keeps standing.

So next time things heat up:

Take a break if you need it.
Return with respect.
And remind each other: You’re on the same team.

You’re not just patching bricks with mortar. You’re reinforcing the layers to withstand the storms of time.

You’ve got this…
Brick by brick.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Please comment and like this post if you feel led.

#BuildingTogether #FaithandLove #StrongFoundation #MarriageMatters #LifetimeCommitment #BrickbyBrick

Hey, Honey! I’m Home: Be Positive

A Series on Love, Relationships, and Bricks

A Seven-Story House of Love

Image Source: “brick wall” by palmerkim29 is licensed under CC BY 2.0 with inserted text overlay

Brick by Brick

Brick 4: Be Positive

Let’s face it—real life gets messy.

The sink overflows.
The laundry sits (again).
You forget the milk for the third time this week.

It’s easy to sigh, grumble, or roll your eyes in these moments. Isn’t it?

But what if you flipped the script?

What if you looked at your honey and thought:

We’re a team.
We’ve got this.
Even when it’s soggy, spilled, or slightly burnt.

Positivity is more than pretending things are perfect.

It’s the decision to face the imperfect—together—with hope,
humor,
and a sprinkle of grace.

Practice with me:

“No worries, honey! We can get through anything.”
“It’s just milk. We’ll live.”
“At least the floor got a good rinse!”

These little moments?

They’re opportunities to choose joy over judgment.
To choose grace instead of jumping to a wrong conclusion.
To offer patience, even when you’re tempted to huff and puff.

Think of positivity as the mortar between your relationship’s bricks. It is the glue that holds everything in place.

It says:

“You’re not alone in this – even if the roof leaks.”

So next time the unexpected happens:

Take a deep breath.
Smile if you can.
And say something kind.

You’ve got this…
Brick by brick.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Please comment and like this post if you feel led.

#BuildingTogether #FaithandLove #StrongFoundation #MarriageMatters #LifetimeCommitment #BrickbyBrick

Hey, Honey! I’m Home: Lean In

A Series on Love, Relationships, and Bricks

A Seven-Story House of Love

Image Source: “brick wall” by palmerkim29 is licensed under CC BY 2.0 with inserted text overlay

Brick by Brick

Brick 3: Lean In

In every relationship, nanoseconds of opportunity are just waiting to be discovered.

Tiny openings.
Little cues that say:

“Hey, I need you.”

It might be as simple as:

“Honey, can you help me for a sec?”
Or
“Will you sit with me?”

In those moments, you have a choice:

Sail away… or drop anchor and lean in.

Leaning in means showing up.

It means noticing opportunities to connect.
To respond with love, even when you’re tired or distracted.

A Tender Treasure Map of Sorts

Sometimes, it is quiet.

“Can you come here?”

Sounds simple. Yet how often do we say,“In a sec!” and then forget?

It’s okay.

It happens to the best of us. But let’s look at it differently. It might just be map of sorts leading you to each other for a purpose. And that purpose may be clear or not even recognizable.

It’s not always about fixing a problem.
Sometimes, it’s just about being near. Or keeping your partner company on the journey of life.

Practice with me:

“Honey, can you come here for a moment?”
“Sure!”

These little “yeses” build trust.
They stack up and help fill up the treasure chest.
And over time, they compound. The more you put in, the more they sparkle and shine during the storms of life.

So next time your honey reaches out—

Pause.
Lean in.
And choose to connect instead of reaching for your phone.

You’ve got this…
Brick by brick.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Please comment and like this post if you feel led.

#BuildingTogether #FaithandLove #StrongFoundation #MarriageMatters #LifetimeCommitment #BrickbyBrick

Hey, Honey! I’m Home: Share Admiration

A Series on Love, Relationships, and Bricks

A Seven-Story House of Love

Image Source: “brick wall” by palmerkim29 is licensed under CC BY 2.0 with inserted text overlay

Brick by Brick

Brick 2: Share Admiration

Why?

Because praise is positive.
It’s powerful.
And it fills your honey’s tank right up.

Question:

When was the last time you looked at your honey and thought,

“Wow, I’m lucky”?

Now think about the last time you said it to your partner. Your honey may be a pirate…But they’re not a mind reader.

Mutual admiration is one of the most powerful bricks you can lay.

It’s not about grand gestures or dramatic speeches.
It’s about noticing the small things—and saying thank you.

Did they fold the laundry?
Make you coffee?
Fix something that’s been squeaking for weeks?

Say something!

Practice with me:

“You did a great job, honey.”
“I love how you handled that.”
“Thank you for being you.”
“You are such a honey!”

Tiny compliments are gold nuggets that fill your treasure chest. They remind your partner that they are seen, valued, and appreciated.

So go ahead—be your partner’s biggest fan.

Admire their heart, their hard work, and their humor.

You’ve got this…
Brick by brick

I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Please comment and like this post if you feel led to.

#LoveThatLasts #BuildingTogether #FaithandLove #StrongFoundation #MarriageMatters #BrickbyBrick