Eps 7: Independence and Freedom in a Marriage? with Brandon Ward (her husband)

Summary

In this conversation, Cielle and Brandon discuss their relationship and the concepts of independence/freedom as it pertains to their marriage. They share their first impressions of each other and talk about their journey of getting engaged, moving in together, and how to keep a long lasting relationship from not 'getting boring'. They discuss the stereotypes and societal expectations surrounding marriage and highlight the importance of communication and transparency in maintaining a strong partnership. In this conversation, Cielle and Brandon discuss the challenges and joys of marriage, including the importance of investing in each other's passions and interests, the beauty of communal care,  the importance of assuming good intent, and being intentional in showing love.

 

Keywords

relationship, marriage, independence, moving in together, roommates, communication, transparency, marriage, challenges, joys, investing, passions, interests, communal care, financial independence, freedom, love languages, assuming good intent, intentional care, life coach, life coaching, colorado life coach, denver life coach, relationship tips

 

Takeaways

• Marriage is a choice and not necessarily a loss of independence (depending on the definition)
• For us, communication and transparency are super duper necessary
• Stereotypes and societal expectations should not define a marriage
• Maintaining a strong relationship requires reassessing and adapting along the way
• Investing in each other's passions and interests is important in a partnership
• There is beauty in communal care and depending on each other for livelihood and subsistence.
• Assuming good intent and being intentional in showing love is crucial
• Keeping the relationship from getting boring can include creativity, creating weird and fun moments, and finding joy in the ordinary
• Love languages that feel supporting can shift hourly- you can actually ask for what you need.

   

 

Sound Bites

• "Living together as a couple requires open communication and transparency."
• "Moving in together is a personal choice and doesn't have a one-size-fits-all approach."
• "Marriage is a commitment to be in it together, supporting and loving each other."
• "There is a beauty in communal care, in being able to take care of each other and be able to depend on people."
• "It feels good to be able to trade off and support each other. I know we are going to be that team."

 

Chapters

00:00 Intro
01:36 Topic Intro: Is there Freedom and Independence in Marriage?
03:05 Brandon Introducing Himself
05:06 How We Met and Got Engaged
08:21 Any Advice on Moving In Together?
14:37 What Was Our First Impressions of Each Other?
19:47 How Do You Make It Feel Like You Are Not Roommates?
24:22 Independence and Marriage?
40:04 Freedom and Marriage?
45:55 What Has Tested Our Marriage The Most?
50:01 Tips to Not Let the Relationship Get Boring
54:22 What To Do If Love Languages Don't Align?

 

Mentions:

Thank you, Brandon Ward, for being my partner, being a guest on this episode, and also for creating the intro.  I love you.

Big thank you to Miracle Laurie and Bobbo Byrnes for the music used in the outro Effin' Groovy.  AND, if you have not checked them out yet- they both have amazing music out with new albums and singles! Woot!