This blog is dedicated to providing research-based marriage tips to encourage marriages and families, including my own.
For the last several years I have interviewed couples who have used adversity to improve their marriages. The result is FIRST KISS TO LASTING BLISS: HOPE & INSPIRATION FOR YOUR MARRIAGE. In it, I share couples’ experiences with drug addiction, infidelity, military separation, opposing religions, stranger rape, life-threatening illness, differing races, financial crises and much more. Not only did these couples “stick with” marriage, they used their experiences as an impetus for transformation, creating inspiring love stories that offer hope to others going through difficulties. One interviewee sums up the challenge of remaining united in marriage: “You see the fireworks and chemistry, but there is an earthquake coming that you don’t see. You have to find your way through it—it’s a journey.” Follow me at www.Facebook.com/LastingBliss.
As a marriage researcher and writer, I frequently come across interesting studies, opinions and tips that I find valuable in my own life. I share them here and on Twitter @LoriLowe as well as in articles for other publications. Sign up for free updates on the home page, either via email or RSS subscriptions. (I never share your email, and it takes one click to opt out if it’s not your bag.)
I live in Indianapolis with my husband of 17 years (a pilot who keeps me grounded), two children, one crazy cat, and two aquatic frogs. As a busy mom, I try to make my posts as relevant as possible to help people living in the real world. I have a master’s degree in journalism, and I’ve run my own marketing and PR consultancy for more than a decade, specializing in health care. I’m a GenXer and a child of divorce, someone who personally understands the impact of divorce on children. I’m pro-marriage and an advocate for the needs of children. I’m a contributing writer for WTHR.com (NBC’s local affiliate), Hendricks County ICON newspaper, and The Coalition for Divorce Reform.
I most enjoy: the scents of fresh white gardenias, egg nog crème brulee, campfires, and, especially, my children’s heads after they are freshly showered; the rhythmic sound of ocean waves crashing to shore; the feeling of uncontrolled belly laughs, deep-tissue massages and the keyboard under my fingers. I dislike crafts, clutter, and reaching the last page of a fabulous book.
I’m a journalist not a marriage counselor, so I don’t offer advice for specific couples. However, I share my findings and interviews with marriage experts whose advice you may find helpful. And, check my resources page for recommendations on counselors, blogs and books. Contact me if you’d like to have your marriage book reviewed here. If you have topic suggestions or questions, you can email me at loridlowe [at] gmail [dot] com.
Following are a few of my most popular posts; please join the discussion in the comments section.
We all married the wrong person
More on marrying the wrong person
Is love a decision or a feeling?
Read this if you EVER have conflict in your marriage
Stay self-focused to repair marital problems
For a happier marriage, date your spouse
Happy marriages are not carefree
What’s a pro-marriage counselor and how do you find one?
Photo credit for home page image: @Mat Hayward/PhotoXpress
Marriage Gems 
This is a great blog, Lori! You’re going on my blog roll, at http://thefallencleric.wordpress.com. Great stuff!
Hi Lori-
Thank you for the RT on Twitter re:Engaged Marriage. So glad to find you. I am a passionately, happily married woman for 19 1/2 yrs. married my high school sweetheart and we have earned our stripes for sure.
Your book sounds wonderful. People get married with such stars in their eyes and when the clouds blanket over the starry night find themselves lost. Marriage is a marathon not a sprint. Books like your will provide the kind of education people need.
All the best, Lori!
Stephanie
Hi Lori~
It seems as though we have a common marriage mission! I would LOVE to connect and maybe do a guest post for you.. if you do that :o)
Kudos to you on all your great work!!!
Keep it up!!
Saw your post at Novel Journeys and just had to drop you a note to ask…
…am I lost in the mirror room at The Fun House or have I found my alter ego!?
Seriously… My hairdresser has another client named Lori Lough who lives a few miles from me. No relation. But spooky, no? LOL
Our names are further evidence what a small, small world this is. Hope you’re doing well in your corner of it!
Loree
Lori,
Great blog! I really enjoyed reading–intended to read one or two posts and ended up reading about twelve.
Thanks for visiting and for the positive feedback! Be sure to sign up for the email updates.
Great Blog! Marriage is bliss.
This is a most profound topic worthy of discernment. I am a Catholic Theologian who is currently writing a book on marriage preparation. I hope more folks read this webpage.
Peace,
wjholland.wordpress.com
I am glad to read that there is well thought out, prof. and accessible writing in regards to realistic issues with marriage.
Have a great day.
http://westbrookpub.wordpress.com/2009/10/06/a-fathers-care/
http://westbrookpub.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/simple-gifts/
You have no idea how you have blessed my heart.
Keep on- God has blessed you with wisdom and knowledge so use it for His glory. I will write ya an e-mail.
Yusuph (Tanzania-Africa)
Congratualtions being freshly pressed on the WordPress front page. I really enjoyed the article and posted it on Facebook. Gloris
Thanks–freshly pressed was a great surprise. Thanks for sharing via FB. Take care.
What a great perspective!
It’s so nice to see that people are reading and appreciating all you have to offer. You are truly wise and have a way of writing that is entertaining and informing at the same time.
I loved your post about “We All Married the Wrong Person.” My wonderful husband and I have been married for 35 years; my 16 year old daughter said recently, “You and Dad are just lucky, you found the right person, the first time” I told her three things made us lucky, we both commited to God and each other
our commitment to God, our commitment to each other NO MATTER WHAT, and our mutual belief that LOVE is a CHOICE you make every morning. Guess what, NO MATTER WHAT has happened over and over again and we have had to choose LOVE, every morning for 35 years!
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I am very glad to know you and your blog at this present moment in which I was facing many problems in my marriage just three years old. Which is it said that marriage at the age of the first five years facing a lot of temptation. Many problems I face in my household, Now I have a beautiful daughter who was only three years old. I live away from my wife because of work that makes me so, I also have problems of opposing religions. I look forward to reading your blog I hope I can learn a lot more to maintain my household harmony. Btw, I live in Bali, if one day Lori has a time to visit Bali, I would be delighted if Lori would drop by at my place. Thank you so much…
Please sign up for updates on marriage tips. I wish you and your family the very best. I would love to visit Bali! But with a family of my own to care for, I don’t see that happening anytime soon. 😉 It’s great to meet you here. If you have specific issues you want to see addressed, I’d love to hear your topic suggestions or questions.
Lori
Hi Lori,
Is there a way to contact you?
Be well,
Katie
Power of Two
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Lorie,
Through following links on your page I stumbled upon something that looked interesting. It was a fourteen page (quite expensive – 49.95) book on how to save your marriage. It had great reviews. I can’t for the life of me find it now. Do you know what I’m talking about? I would really appreciate it if you could help me find it again. Either email me or I’ll try to check comments if you can help me here.
thank you – very nice blog,
John
Hi John. Do you think it was under the Marriage Resources tab? There are lots of books listed there, and I’m guessing that is where you found it: http://lifegems4marriage.com/marriage-resources/. If you don’t see it there, go to the home page on the right side and scroll down to “Search Categories” and select “books”. Blog posts related to books will then pop up and you can scroll through to see if any of those posts rings a bell. I hope that helps. All the best to you.
Lori
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Hi Lori,
This is a great blog with so many helpful resources for couples looking to strengthen their marriage. There’s a really interesting marriage book that Scott Haltzman was involved in that might be great for your resources section. Is there a way to send you information about it?
Thanks!
Thanks, Jennifer. They are already on my resources page. You can email me any other suggestions.
You’re welcome! Have you seen the book “All-in-One Marriage Prep”? Scott was a contributor. I couldn’t see anyway to email you on your site . . .
Go under About Lori Lowe and there’s an email. You can send me the info. Thanks.
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My name is Rosalind and I am a casting associate for a production company based in NYC. We are looking to speak to the married/divorced community regarding infidelity in marriages.
Please see below the casting notice we are hoping you will post on your site or share with others who may be interested in sharing their story to help someone else.
If you have additional questions please feel free to e-mail me.
Best.
Rosalind
Casting Associate
True Entertainment
infidelity.casting@gmail.com
The company that brings you, A Baby Story, Whose Wedding is it Anyway, Mystery Diagnosis… is now seeking married couples (or divorced) willing to share their stories for a groundbreaking new show.
Coming soon to a major cable network, this new television series will explore the psychology of infidelity. This is NOT a talk show; it is a documentary series and will take an impartial approach to the content.
The show will use first person narrative and psychological input to educate the viewers on the deep internal issues both parties deal with leading up to an affair and after the revelation.
We are currently looking for married couples who have dealt with a complex instance of infidelity and would be interested in retelling their story on our show. It’s important to us that the couples are well past the initial hurt and would be able to discuss their situation and resolution so others can learn from it. If you are interested in hearing more about the project or have any feedback please contact me at infidelity.casting@gmail.com and I’d love to discuss everything in more detail.
Best,
Rosalind-
Casting Associate
True Entertainment
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Couldn’t stop reading, read all twelve I believe.
Hi Lori!
You’re simply amazing! Keep it up!
Tedd,
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This is a great and blog, the articles here are amazing to read and learn from. Thank you for all the hard work you put into this blog constantly. I look forward to the next article that fits into a part of my life.
Hi Lori,i came across your column in the Hendrick County Icon newspaper of September. I’m 34 n been married for three yrs. My husband had n affair n is now living out of state with his mistress. He says he regrets all he’s done n wants me to forgive him n fix our marriage. But yet he continues to live with this woman. I love my husband a lot but he has been unfaithful before. I feel because i have forgave him before is the reason he continues. He has taken it to far this time. I’d love to fix things but i don’t know how true he is about regret. At times he don’t contact me for weeks yet he doesn’t want a divorce. I’m confused on why he done this. We had good communication and our love life was always alive. Money was the only issue. What do you think would be best to do. My mind says run n my heart says stay. I have not told anyone the truth abt him living with her so i have no second opinion. This has been happening for the past ten months. Should i call it quits or should i fight for my marriage? Is it to late and how do i know he truly sorry? Should i just file my divorce and take him away from my life? I’ve never cheated on him n still have remained faithful to him through all these months. What do you advise would be best to do. Plz email back.
Lori,
I really like your blog and wanted to send you a copy of a book I just published called Intimate Conversations for Couples. See the website at: IntimateConversations.com.
The unique aspect of the book is that 70% of it is a conversation between a couple over a weekend and 30% of it highlights the principles behind what they are talking about plus questions for reflection and dialogue.
I couldn’t find any better way than this to contact you. I’d be happy to send you a pdf but you might appreciate getting the physical copy if you’d send me an address to mail it to.
Thanks,
Bill Syrios
bsyrios@hotmail.com
Hello,
My name is Aaron Walsdorf, I am a student at Eastern Washington University and we are currently conducting a study on relationships and personality. I am inquiring about the possibility of this study being posted to your website. The study is completely anonymous and is intended for adults in committed relationships. If this is a possibility please contact me for the remainder of the needed information. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
-Aaron Walsdorf
Lori, hi there, this is Shawn Akers at Charisma Media. Was looking over your blog, and would love to discuss the possibility of using some of your content on our website charismamag.com. Please check it out, especially our section under life labeled men. Your blogs are very insightful and entertaining, and from a Godly point of view. Please let me know if you’re willing to discuss. My email address is shawn.akers@charismamedia.com. Thank you to much and I look forward to hearing from you.
Shawn