Reflections on Valentine's Day, Love and Marriage

In this post-Valentine’s Day episode, Jeff and Steve look back on their combined 65-plus years of marriage, reflecting on the lessons learned along the way. They discuss their "marriage faux pas" with their wives, share personal stories, wisdom and things they wish they had known in the early days.

A major topic was conflict in marriage, including emotional flooding and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse of relational conflict, as described by Dr. John Gottman (criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling). They talked about how the horsemen can erode intimacy if left unchecked. At the same time, when healthy conflict resolution skills are practiced love, intimacy and connection can grow.

Through humor, wisdom, and real-life experiences, this episode provides insight, encouragement, and practical advice for couples navigating the ups and downs of marriage and offers hope for a better way forward in any relationship.