5 Minutes with God for Newlyweds, by Nadia Crane arrives just in time for wedding season.
This book offers couples a simple way to weave faith into their marriage — one short prayer, a related Scripture, and space to reflect with gratitude and intercession.
Please help spread the word. I hope it may be an encouragement to you or a special couple in your life.
Support indie authors. Available online at Small Town Stories LLC and Amazon.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Brick by Brick
In this series, we’re drawing up the blueprint for a lasting relationship—brick by brick.
Let’s zoom out for a moment and take in the big picture:
You’re not just building a life. You’re building a home. Together.
So, grab a comfy couch. Snuggle up.
Let’s look at the first essential brick for building a home.
Brick 1: Build Love Maps
Ask questions. Be curious. Get to know others’ dreams, fears, and favorite pizza toppings! Think of it as a treasure map to your partner’s heart—without the pirates.
Practice with me:
“How was your day, honey?” “Is there anything I can do to lighten your load?”
Little questions show you care. And that just might lead you to the gold.
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.
I and Thou Reflections 