#Relationships – Page 2 – I and Thou Reflections

Hey Cutie-Pie, Are We in Love? #2: Honesty

A Series on Love, Laughter, and the Little Things

Let’s be real.

Honesty is the best policy. Right?

But if your partner’s “constructive feedback” sounds like a bad Yelp review, maybe it’s time to dial it back a tad.

Learning to tell it like is with love comes with practice.

“Instead, speaking the truth in love…” — Ephesians 4:15

Fun & Faithful

Honesty is about sharing your heart, not tearing someone else’s apart.

It’s about gently nudging each other to grow—like pruning a rosebush, not hacking it to bits.

It’s the warm voice.
The soft words.
The caring eyes.

It’s the gentle stuff that says:

“I’m on your team. I believe in us.”

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

#Love #Kindness #Honesty #Relationships #GoingTheDistance #IandThouReflections

Hey Cutie-Pie, Are We in Love? #1: Kindness

A Series on Love, Laughter, and the Little Things

Let’s be real.

Holding the door for each other is sweet. Right?

But if that’s the only time your partner shows kindness, you might be dating the doorman, not your soulmate.

Kindness is the secret sauce that makes even the worst days feel a little better.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32

Fun & Faithful

Kindness is more than sweet gestures. Sure, flowers are lovely! But it is the kindness in the everyday stuff.

It’s about remembering your coffee order (even if it’s longer than your grocery list).
It’s about listening to your story for the fourth time, nodding like it’s brand new.

It’s the smile.
The tender eyes.
The tone of voice.

It’s the gentle stuff that says:

“I see you. You matter.”

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

#Love #Kindness #Relationships #GoingTheDistance

Hey Cutie-Pie, Are We in Love? Introduction

A Series on Love, Laughter, and the Little Things

Introduction

Do you have what it takes for the long haul?

Hmm.

Want to find out?

Let’s start by rating our humor meter. On a scale of 1 to 10, what’s yours? And what’s your partners?

Over the next few blog posts, we’re going to explore what makes a couple “tick.” Hopefully, we will uncover the secrets of a long-lasting relationship. And maybe laugh a little, too. We’ve synthesized years of research to create short, playful insights just for you.

So whether you’re already married, engaged, or daydreaming about the love of your life – grab a cup of coffee and join us!

Here’s to June!

The magical month of weddings, sweet promises, and love stories that can last a lifetime.

P.S. Curious about how June weddings got their start? Check out this previous post here:

June Weddings – Part 1: The Origin

See you next time when we’ll dive into the small, sweet gestures that can keep love alive. Like opening the door for each other.

Image Credit: “Cutie Pie” by ginnerobot is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.

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

#Love #Kindness #Relationships #GoingTheDistance

Wine & Faith by Nadia Crane: Reflection #4

A Reflection Series for Mental Health Awareness Month

The Stress of Walking on Eggshells

Excerpt from Wine & Faith – 19 Days in Napa

It’s the day before Jill’s trip to Napa. Her husband, Derek, enters the bedroom.

Derek: “Jill, what in the world are you doing?” Derek’s tone exuded disbelief.
Jill: “I’m packing,” I said calmly.
Derek: “…Stop packing!… You’re not going anywhere. Who do you think you are?…”
Jill: … “You told me to go to Amelia’s…You and Dr. Kate agreed…”
Derek: “I didn’t mean that literally. Are you stupid, Jill?”
Jill: “No… Are you saying I shouldn’t believe anything you say?…”
Derek: “…. Go! Get out of here! Good riddance.”

He stormed out of the bedroom in a huff.

Faith Reflection

Have you ever had the feeling of being one misstep away from a blow-up? Or a sense that your words are twisted despite your calm tone and kind intentions?

When we feel this psychological wear and tear, it is exhausting. Over time, the body stays on high alert. Trapped in a never-ending loop of fight-or-flight. Eventually, emotions become harder and harder to regulate.

You begin to second-guess yourself. Then, you start to wonder if you’re the crazy one.

But sometimes, this feeling of walking on eggshells is a signal. It tells us that something needs to change.

In Wine & Faith, Jill isn’t just packing a suitcase. She’s on a quest to unpack years of silent suffering, invalidation, and anxiety.

She is stepping into a place of self-preservation. A sanctuary where she can confront the reality of her life.

To reflect.
To unravel the complexities.
To seek clarity amid the chaos.
To reclaim her identity.

In this pivotal scene, Jill clings to the hope of transformation.

Jill stands up and draws a line in the sand. She wants the walking on eggshells to stop. But Derek sees this moment as a betrayal. A boundary crossed.

God sees Jill’s line. And He honors it.

Even when others twist your words or belittle your truth, God never will.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18

God knows what was said, what was done, and how it made you feel. He is our safe place.

Haiku

Words dig deep within
Crackling eggs beneath my feet
Divine presence awaits

Reflective Questions

Have you ever felt like you had to watch every word or action to avoid someone’s anger? How did it affect your sense of peace, trust, or identity?

What boundary do you need to place (or reinforce) to reclaim peace in your inner sanctuary?

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

#MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #Overwhelm #FeelingInvisible #EmotionalIsolation #WalkingOnEggshells #Relationships #WineandFaith #NadiaCrane #thepaiseleyfrog #LifeJourney

Wine & Faith by Nadia Crane: Reflection #3

The Weight of Emotional Isolation

Excerpt from Wine & Faith – 19 Days in Napa

This dialogue takes place after Jill and Derek attend a parenting workshop.

Jill: “Derek, what did you think of the workshop?”

Derek: “Well, you know, it is all psychobabble. Goals. Talking together. What is the point? Our kids are fine…”

He doesn’t get it, does he? Can’t he see that he is too authoritarian? It was his way or the highway, which left me feeling like chopped liver.

Faith Reflection

Have you ever been surrounded by people and still feel alone?

Emotional isolation is feeling disconnected despite being physically present. It is a heavy burden. Relationships thrive on mutual understanding and validation.

When you try to share your thoughts, and they’re met with dismissal, it can feel like your voice is lost. Like you don’t matter. This lack of connection breeds loneliness and mistrust. It’s like the person you want to count on and have your back – has checked out.

In Jill’s story, she longs for a moment of mutual understanding but is met with a wall of indifference instead.

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. – Psalm 55:22

This verse reminds us that God sees our pain. Even when it is hidden from others.

When you feel isolated, turn to the One that is always there.
God!

God knows your heart and hears your cries. Go ahead. Bear your soul. Let God lift the burden from you.

Haiku

Spoken words dissolve
Into a sea of loneliness
Where God whispers love.

Reflective Questions

When was the last time you felt emotionally isolated? How did you cope?

What steps can you take to make your voice heard?

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

#MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #Overwhelm #FeelingInvisible #EmotionalIsolation #Relationships #WineandFaith #NadiaCrane #thepaiseleyfrog #LifeJourney

Wine & Faith by Nadia Crane: Reflection #2

A Reflection Series for Mental Health Awareness Month

The Stress of Feeling Invisible

Excerpt from Wine & Faith – 19 Days in Napa

Jill is confiding in her friend Amelia about feeling invisible in her marriage.

Amelia: “Do you feel invisible with Derek?”

Jill: “Incredibly so. I’ll tell you a quick story. My friend Carla and I rearranged the living room one afternoon, having a great time mixing things up. When we got back from the store, Derek had moved everything back without saying a word. When I asked about it, he snapped, ‘I will do what I want. You are not the boss of me!’ I felt dismissed, like my preferences didn’t matter.”

Faith Reflection

Have you ever felt invisible to someone you love?

It’s not a great feeling. Is it?

It’s a unique kind of loneliness. You are physically present yet emotionally disregarded or ignored. This type of feeling creates distance. Not only that, it attacks your self-worth, and you begin questioning.

Yourself.
Others.
And God.

In relationships, it’s natural to want to be noticed.

To be acknowledged.
To be affirmed.
These are fundamental building blocks of a relationship.

When others brush aside our efforts or desires, it’s easy to question our value. Jill’s story reflects the tension between longing to connect and being met with indifference.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted – Psalm 34:18

Feeling unseen erodes self-worth and drives a wedge between partners. Seeking support is not a weakness but a step toward healing. When you feel unnoticed, hold onto the truth that your feelings matter. Even when you think they don’t.

Haiku

Eyes that never see
Words that vanish in the air
God is there for you.

Reflective Questions

-When was the last time you felt unseen in a relationship? How did it affect you?

-What steps can you take to feel more valued and heard?

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

#MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #Overwhelm #FeelingInvisible #Relationships #WineandFaith #NadiaCrane #thepaiseleyfrog #LifeJourney

Wine & Faith by Nadia Crane: Reflection #1

A Reflection Series for Mental Health Awareness Month

The Weight of The Overwhelm

Excerpt from Wine & Faith – 19 Days in Napa

Jill, the main character, is having an internal dialogue with herself about her husband, Derek…

“With the teacher conference conversation still fresh in my mind, I felt at a crossroads. I saw a pattern. Derek did not. My good kids were morphing into out-of-control kids. As a mother, I had to fix this problem….So, I decided to call Amelia and finally take her up on her offer for a visit.” – Jill Mandela

Faith Reflection

Have you ever felt like you were at the end of your rope and had to do something fast?

When we get overwhelmed, it feels like the walls are closing in. And there is nowhere to escape. In other words, it is that crushing point when everything feels urgent.

The people we love hurt.
Responsibilities pile up.
And there is pressure to “fix it.”

But sometimes, feeling overwhelmed can be a signal. It tells us that something needs to change.

Jill realizes she needs distance.

Not to escape – but to find clarity.

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” -Luke 5:16

In this passage, we read that Jesus withdrew to quiet places to pray. He needed space to breathe. A place to pause and regroup. Clarity doesn’t always come through effort. Sometimes, it arrives in stillness and prayer.

In several key moments in the book, Jill reads scripture and then seems to receive a divine message. All leading her to greater insights and a softer heart.

Haiku

In the tangled noise
Clarity waits, whispering—
Step back, take a pause

Reflective Questions

When life feels too full, where do you go for clarity?

What’s one area in your life where stepping back could help you see more clearly?

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

#MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #Overwhelm #Relationships #WineandFaith #NadiaCrane #thepaiseleyfrog #LifeJourney

Wine & Faith by Nadia Crane: Introduction

A Reflection Series for Mental Health Awareness Month

Introduction

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

It’s a perfect time to pause and reflect.

In the next few days, I invite you to join me in a series of reflections drawn from the novel Wine & Faith – 19 Days in Napa.

Whether you’ve read Wine & Faith or not, these blog posts are designed to stand on their own. Wine & Faith isn’t for everyone. Yet, in the next few weeks, we’ll explore a few themes that most people encounter at some point.

This book isn’t about mental health in the clinical sense, but it speaks to the emotional burdens we carry. It is the perfect book to use as a backdrop for Mental Health awareness.

A Little About the Book

Wine & Faith touches the heart. It shows patterns that repeat across generations, feelings of loneliness, unmet emotional needs, and a strong wish to be seen and heard. It weaves themes of faith and personal transformation with the rawness of human experience.

In Wine & Faith, we follow Jill, a woman trying to make sense of the growing chaos in her life. The walls seem to be caving in, and she is facing a crisis of faith. Her husband, Derek, carries his own inherited, unhealthy patterns.

Wine & Faith explores how brokenness can slowly lead to healing.

In the next few posts, I’ll share:

~A brief excerpt from the book
~A faith-grounded reflection on a hidden stressor
~A haiku to uplift your spirit
~A journal prompt to guide your thoughts

Let’s navigate through Jill’s journey together.

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

#MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #Relationships #WineandFaith #NadiaCrane #thepaisleyfrog #LifeJourney

A Mother’s Day Tribute

It was Mother’s Day.
Decades ago.
I told my mom I would have a baby, too!

Here is a poem she wrote after she found out..

Our Baby

Our baby’s having a baby –
We can’t believe it’s true!
Seems like only yesterday,
We were diapering you.

Our baby’s having a baby –
We’re excited as can be.
Grandchild number five
Is added to our “tree.”

Our baby’s having a baby –
A bundle in pink or blue;
A little girl or a little boy,
With features from each of you.

Our baby’s having a baby –
Isn’t it exciting?
For the dad’s side, it’s number four;
As we welcome soon one more.

~Connie Walton, 1992
1924 – 2017

Here is my tribute to her, written today for Mother’s Day 2025…

My Mom, The Rock

She never told me what to do
and didn’t map the road ahead.
She listened.
Quiet.
Steady.
Like a rock.

As I poured out my thoughts,
Not once did she say, “You should…”
She only nodded and stayed silent.
Like a rock.

And when I stood in that kitchen,
telling her I’d be a mother too,
she didn’t give advice,
she beamed from ear to ear.
As if she already knew.
Like a rock.

Although I swear I saw a tear,
A tear of joy was shed for me.
Listening was the lesson.
Her warmth, her knowing glance,
Blanketed me with comfort.
Like a rock.

Love wasn’t in instructions or advice,
but in her presence, that was real.
At two o’clock in the morning,
she would answer my email
in the stillness of the night.
Like a rock.

My mom’s face was like a book.
She proudly wore her emotions.
Steady.
Loving.
Like a rock.

A solid rock, was she,
Secretly rooting for me each day.
I know deep inside my heart,
She lives on through me.
Like a rock.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

#Love #MothersDay #Poetry #Mom #Baby

14 Days of Love: Love Your Partner – Day 12

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
Ephesians 5:25

Prayer

Lord,

Please help me affirm my partner more and reveal to me how to love more selflessly.

Amen

Reflective Question

What little acts can I do each day to show my partner how much they mean to me?

#Love #TheBible #Valentine’sDay #Spirituality #Meditation #Relationships #14DaysofLove