Relationships Archives

Relationships take a lot of work. Dating, online dating, and courtship all have one goal, to give us a Relationship to thrive in. It is hard to find a healthy, attractive, and willing partner. When you do, what happens next is the most important part. I work on relationship-building as a skill set. How can I be a better partner? How can I say with this person for life?

The New World Order of Dating: What’s the Path?

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:August 1, 2023
Post category:Dating Divorce Love relationship building Relationships Self-care sexual chemistry

Take your time. Find what turns you on. Make sure you know what you want and what you bring to a new relationship. Then, HAVE FUN.

You Saw the Red Flags, Right? Why We Lean In When We Should Leave

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:August 1, 2023
Post category:Dating Drinking Health and Fitness Joy Love relationship building Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad

I'm sensing some sort of "shoe ready to drop" but it's all in my mind at this point. It's like PTSD from my past relationships. I don't really recognize when I meet a healthy partner.

A Dad’s Path After Divorce Is Hard and Lonely

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:August 1, 2023
Post category:Anger Co-Parenting Depression Divorce Health and Fitness humans of divorce Married Life Parenting Relationships Self-care Single-Dad Spirituality

I lost everything in that moment. I lost my fighting spirit. I agreed to the Standard Possession Order (SPO) schedule and I agreed to let my wife be the custodial parent.

I Am Not Where You Left Me: Moving On After a Breakup

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:July 31, 2023
Post category:Dating Relationships sexual chemistry

Getting into a relationship with a willing and joyful partner is only the first step. Building a relationship from scratch is about communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution.

What I Learned About Sex: It’s Almost All In Your Mind

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:July 31, 2023
Post category:Dating Depression Health and Fitness Joy Love relationship building Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad Spirituality

Know what does it for you and being able to show or tell your partner is a key ingredient for evolved sex. As we can let go of traditional SEX as the goal and open up to the full range of erotic experiences, we can expand our pleasure and our sexual vocabularies.

Dating Lessons: Gentle Catch and Release

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:July 27, 2023
Post category:Dating Relationships Self-care Sex Single-Dad

I understand not being ready for a relationship. I understand taking your time getting to know someone. And I'm glad she did seek me out so we could have a few of these illuminating conversations in-person, but it's clear to me she was NOT a touch-oriented person, and as I asked about her love language twice, that was enough to trigger the "not developing" email.

Stepping Back Into the Breach: Dating Again After a Breakup

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:July 23, 2023
Post category:Dating Love Relationships Sex Single-Dad

So with that, even for a week, I am — in theory — off the market, off eHarmony, off the matching of match.com. Because all that “dating” crap is really distracting when what you really want is a friend, not a date.

How Soon Do You Say, “I Love You” In a New Relationship?

Post author:John McElhenney
Post published:July 21, 2023
Post category:Dating Health and Fitness Joy Love Parenting Relationships Self-care

At this point in my life, 8 years divorced with two teenage kids, I have a lot of life ahead of me. As I see this woman standing beside me, I see a partner who can join with me in my dreams, who can challenge me in my beliefs and fallacies, and who is solid enough in her own life path that she shares joy and confidence in our potential lives together.