Emma Keeling – Content Editor
However you’re spending this Valentine’s Day, whether it’s out to dinner with your partner, a cozy night in with a book, or getting ahead on some homework, I think we can all agree that dating and relationships in today’s world is no easy fleet. But it’s also one hundred percent possible to build lasting and meaningful relationships with hard work and communication with your person. Below are three books by relationships experts and counselors that you can turn to if you’re having problems, are in a new relationship, or if you’re just curious on what makes a healthy relationship.
Love in Every Season: Understanding the Four Stages of Every Healthy Relationship by Debra Fileta
Love in Every Season is a modern, easy to navigate read for anyone – whether you’re in a relationship or not. Debra Fileta, professional counselor and relationship expert, breaks down a relationship into, you guessed it, the four seasons. She explains how to navigate through every season so that it is a smooth and lovely transition to the next and does so in a way that helps the reader actually understand these phases of a relationship. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in bettering their current relationship, may be getting into a new one, or just wants to be prepared for the future.
Mindful Relationship Habits: 25 Practices for Couples to Enhance Intimacy, Nurture Closeness, and Grow a Deeper Connection by S.J. Scott and Barrie Davenport
It can be quite easy to fall in love. Where relationships fail isn’t in lack of love, but lack of that “spark” that made them fall for their partner in the first place. Scott and Davenport believe that practicing mindful habits in a relationship can be the thing that fixes that issue. Building mindful habits gives way to making intentional decisions when given choices. Intention is the key to being proactive rather than reactive to your partners words and actions. Mindful Relationship Habits illustrates 25 specific habits couples can practice in order to stay sharp, intentional, and connected to your partner.
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman
This bestseller is deemed a “classic” in the world of relationship help books. Gary Chapman is most known for his “The 5 Love Languages” series that includes books focused on single people, men, military and teenagers, among many others. This specific one, The Secret to Love that Lasts, creates a basis for realizing and understanding the 5 love languages so that you can understand your partner’s language and reciprocate love in a way they understand and appreciate. I would recommend this book to anyone who may be struggling to connect to their partner or just wants a better understanding of how to recognize someone’s love language.
Emma Keeling is a third-year student at BGSU studying Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Her favorite genres of books include mystery and horror, and her favorite author is Stephen King. She can usually be found curled up on the couch studying, reading, or watching movies. To easily contact Emma, email her at emmamk@bgsu.edu.
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