What I Learned Archives - Tim and Olive's Blog

What I Learned: 10 Things Your Spouse Needs to Hear You Say

[“What I Learned” is a guest post series of lessons learned in relationships that matter the most (you can send us your story too). This guest post is by fellow blogger Ngina Otiende.]

Words have creative power.

The universe was created with words.

In marriage and when life gets busier – kids, career commitments e.t.c – the small things tend to suffer first.
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What I Learned: Have You Celebrated Your UNbirthday?

“What I Learned” is a guest post series of lessons learned in relationships that matter the most (you can send us your story too). This guest post is by our friend Hannah Wong Greiner.

[Before you go any further, kindly click on this YouTube Link and let it play as you scroll down to read this post.] Many of you will be familiar with the story Alice in Wonderland, especially the animated Disney version released in 1951. The most memorable song for me is the “Unbirthday Song.” In that scene, Alice is shocked to see the Mad Hatter, March Hare and the very adorable Dormouse celebrating what they explain is an unbirthday party, which occurs 364 days out of the year. She soon joins the party and has a fun time singing and enjoying tea and cake.
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What I Learned: The Financial Implications of Common Law Relationships

“What I Learned” is a guest post series of lessons learned in relationships that matter the most (you can send us your story too). This guest post is by our friend Vincent Ng. [Note: Although Olive and I have never considered a common law relationship for ourselves, we know more people are choosing this option (the 2011 census shows 17% of Canadian families are common-law couples). We decided to publish this post because we value and seek to learn from other perspectives about marriage and relationships, and hope this will generate helpful discussion.]

On March 28th, 2013 the government of British Columbia, Canada made some new changes to the Family Law Act that affects common law relationships in our beautiful province. Contrary to popular myth, common law relationships are not dictated by the federal government and are determined on a provincial level.
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What I Learned: How to Get Along With Everyone

“What I Learned” is a guest post series of readers telling their personal stories about lessons they have learned about relationships in hopes of helping us all grow and cherish the relationships that matter the most to us (you can send us your story too). This guest post is by Laurie Rappeport from Safed, Israel. (Note: While we may not agree with everything Laurie writes in this post, we wanted to publish this because her thoughts offer a great opportunity for discussion. We’re excited to hear your responses.)

About ten years ago someone accused me of something that I absolutely had not done. It came like a lightning bolt out of the blue and obsessed me — how could this person believe that I had acted in a way that was completely unethical, and that went against everything that I believed? What had spurred this false accusation? And most importantly, how could I get my reputation back, even if it was just with this one person?
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What I Learned: About Winning a Baby’s Heart

“What I Learned” is a guest post series of readers telling their personal stories about lessons they have learned about relationships in hopes of helping us all grow and cherish the relationships that matter the most to us (you can send us your story too). This guest post is by Tiffany Chan (a.k.a. Tim’s favourite, and only sister). We are thrilled that she is a part of Allie’s life and that she’s such an excellent aunt.

The baby was crying. And this time it was because I was leaving. Not her mom. Not her dad. Me. Her aunt. I couldn’t help but get excited.
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What I Learned: About Defining Expectations in Marriage

“What I Learned” is a guest post series of readers telling their personal stories about lessons they have learned about relationships in hopes of helping us all grow and cherish the relationships that matter the most to us. If you would like to submit a story for this series, click here. This guest post is by Alicia Perez.

Two years before my husband and I were married, I left to serve with a ministry for a year in South Africa. Young in our relationship, we hadn’t yet celebrated our birthdays together and planned a snowshoeing trip beneath the stars at Mount Seymour in lieu. In the weeks leading to this special faux birthday I listened carefully for his favourites.

What I Learned: About Maintaining Long-Distance friendships

“What I Learned” is a guest post series of readers telling their personal stories about lessons they have learned about relationships in hopes of helping us all grow and cherish the relationships that matter the most to us. If you would like to submit a story for this series, click here. This guest post is by Kristen Soo.

At some point in your life, you will likely have to navigate the sometimes-murky waters of long-distance friendships. Whether it’s you or your friend doing the moving, it can be a confusing and sometimes unsettling time as you adjust to the new dynamics of no longer being geographically together.

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