The Anchor Us Journal

Ideas for returning to each other.

Essays, stories, and practical thoughts on presence, communication, faith, affection, fun, and building a marriage in the middle of real life.

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Latest from the Journal

Fresh essays and stories for the conversations, seasons, and ordinary moments that shape a marriage.

Showing 1–12 of 19
couple facing each other, and a text in the background saying Chris Misses Lena. Unfortunately So Do the Kids.
StoryEpisode 0717 min read

Chris Misses Lena. Unfortunately, So Do the Kids.

Chris and Lena love their three kids. Deeply. They would also like to finish one conversation without being asked for water, a charger, help finding something directly in front of someone, or an emergency ruling on whether tomorrow is pajama day. Somewhere inside the family they built, they realize they miss each other too.

Oct 1, 2026Read →
An exhausted mother and father sit closely together on the floor while their two energetic children jump and play on the couch behind them, capturing the joy and exhaustion of family life
EssayTogetherness21 min read

We Love Our Kids. We Also Miss Us.

You can adore your children and still miss the version of your marriage that had more room to breathe. Here’s how couples can stay connected when parenting turns most conversations into logistics, bedtime negotiations, and questions about who moved the water bottle.

Sep 30, 2026Read →
Young couple quarreling at home
EssayReconnect21 min read

Stop Trying to Win the Argument You’re Both Losing

Sometimes the argument stops being about solving the problem and quietly becomes about proving who is right. Here’s how couples can disagree honestly, hold their ground when needed, and still remember they are arguing with someone they love—not opposing counsel.

Sep 27, 2026Read →
Sam and Nina in bed, with sam gently kissing her shoulder, and she has one eye open because she is sleepy.
StoryEpisode 0618 min read

EP 6: Sam Wants Sex. Nina Wants Sleep.

Sam wants sex at night. Nina would prefer that he stop waiting until she has used up nearly all available humanity. What starts as a timing problem reveals years of unspoken assumptions about desire, initiation, pleasure, and what neither of them quite knew how to say.

Sep 24, 2026Read →
A married couple sits facing each other on a bed in a warm, softly lit bedroom, having a quiet and vulnerable conversation. The woman holds a pillow close while looking thoughtful, and her husband sits nearby listening attentively, creating a tender, intimate moment that reflects openness and connection.
EssayTogetherness27 min read

We Love Each Other. So Why Does Sex Feel So Complicated?

You can love your spouse, be attracted to them, and still discover that sex comes with different desires, timing, expectations, insecurities, histories, and unspoken rules. Here’s why married sex can get complicated—and how couples can make it safer to talk about what they actually need.

Sep 21, 2026Read →
A married couple sits together reviewing financial documents and a laptop, appearing concerned as they discuss their household finances.
EssayCommunication23 min read

The Budget Is Probably Not the Real Problem

Couples can argue about groceries, savings, subscriptions, and the mysterious disappearance of money at Target—but the numbers are often carrying something bigger. Here’s how to talk about the safety, freedom, fairness, values, and trust hiding underneath the budget.

Sep 19, 2026Read →
husband dancing funny in kitchen, and wife standing next to the refrigerator looking at him, and kids at the table, with son looking disappointed, and daughter smiling
StoryEpisode 0517 min read

EP 5: Ben Is Dancing? Claire Has Questions.

Ben starts dancing in the kitchen. Claire is not entirely convinced that “dancing” is the correct word. Somewhere between children, work, errands, and becoming respectable adults, they begin wondering when they stopped being quite so ridiculous together.

Sep 17, 2026Read →
A married couple laughing and being playful together dancing in the kitchen with a cup of red wine on the counter
EssayPlay18 min read

When Did We Stop Being Silly Together?

Somewhere between work, bills, children, and everything that needs doing, couples can forget how to be ridiculous together. Here’s why a little playfulness is worth protecting.

Sep 15, 2026Read →
A spouse arriving home from work surprises their partner with flowers at the front door, capturing a warm moment of connection at the end of the day.
EssayReconnect12 min read

The 10-Second Habit That Can Change the Way You Come Home

Before the bags, bills, kids, dinner, and evening logistics take over, give your spouse ten seconds of real arrival. A small homecoming habit can help couples reconnect before the second shift begins.

Sep 12, 2026Read →
husband and wife sitting in the living room with lots of charts and papers showing they are getting things done together.
StoryEpisode 0418 min read

EP 4: Maya and Daniel Are Running a Very Efficient Household

Maya and Daniel have the bills paid, the kids scheduled, the groceries ordered, and the household running with impressive efficiency. The only thing they may have forgotten to keep up with is each other.

Sep 10, 2026Read →
couples sitting next to each other but doing their own individual things. Wife is listening to music, while husband is browsing on his phone
EssayReconnect20 min read

How Couples Slowly Become Roommates—and How to Catch It Early

When marriage starts feeling more like managing a household than enjoying each other, the drift can be easy to miss. Here’s how to notice roommate mode early—and start moving back toward each other.

Sep 8, 2026Read →
a husband trying to explain things to his wife, while she looks as him in disagreement
EssayCommunication15 min read

When Your Spouse Wants Comfort and You Bring a PowerPoint

Sometimes your spouse needs a solution. Sometimes they need you to sit beside them and agree that today was awful. Learning the difference can change the way couples support each other.

Sep 7, 2026Read →