Ep 186 - Creating Joy & Connection: 18 Years of Real-Life Marriage Lessons

Ep 186 – Creating Joy & Connection: 18 Years of Real-Life Marriage Lessons

When you’re a high-achieving woman deeply invested in both personal growth and meaningful partnership, there’s a question that tugs at your heart:

How do we stay connected—while staying true to ourselves?

As we celebrate 18 years of marriage (Whaaaat?! YESSS!), I’m reflecting on the real-life lessons that have helped us build something beautiful—not perfect, but deeply intentional.

This isn’t a list of “marriage hacks.” It’s a glimpse into the everyday choices, hilarious moments, and powerful mindsets that help us stay connected even when life gets lifey.

The Power of Intentional Joy

Years ago in Costa Rica, we locked our rental car keys inside the car in a remote mountain village. No cell service. No plan B. Total mess.

Instead of spiraling into blame, we turned it into an adventure. We hiked. We laughed. We made a memory.

That moment became a model for how we approach challenges: not by pretending they’re fun, but by choosing how we meet them. Whether it’s a travel blooper or a dishwasher dilemma—joy is something we create on purpose.

Opposites Can Strengthen, Not Separate

I’m expressive and expansive. He’s steady and silent. We’ve joked for years that it’s “an unstoppable force meets an immovable wall.”

But instead of trying to change each other, we’ve learned to leverage our differences.

His calm grounds my fire. My energy inspires his growth. It’s the art of complementary power—two people, wildly different, building something extraordinary by honoring who we each are.

Small Actions That Say: “You Matter”

One of my favorite things? He always replies to my texts—even if it’s later or just an emoji. That simple “I see you” lands every time.

I light up when he walks through the door. He truly listens when I talk about my day.

None of it’s flashy. But all of it builds emotional safety and partnership trust—one small moment at a time.

Growth That Inspires, Not Demands

When I struggled with insomnia, I didn’t wait for us to fix it together. I found support. I followed through.

Eventually, my own transformation inspired him to explore his own sleep solutions.

That’s The Power of One in action—changing a relationship by changing yourself first, with love.

Sometimes? Rose-Colored Glasses Are the Move

Not because we ignore problems. But because we choose to interpret everyday friction through a lens of appreciation and possibility.

You can be strategic and generous with your perspective. That’s real love.

What We’ve Learned About Lasting Partnership

Here are the principles that keep us anchored (even in stormy seas… or cruise ship bloopers 😉):

Make your marriage a priority without making it a prison
Create joy on purpose—even when things go sideways
Celebrate your differences instead of trying to erase them
Build trust through small, consistent actions
Focus on your growth first—and let that energy ripple outward
Choose lenses that serve your love, not just your logic

Because a thriving marriage isn’t measured in years—it’s measured in connection.

As my hubby says (and I quote!):

“Marriages are built one day at a time… and you get to pick how you want to build it.”

Concepts by Maggie Reyes, with a little organizational writing help from AI

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

PRIVATE COACHING

If you are finding the concepts I teach in this podcast useful, and you want in depth personalized support for your own relationship, I invite you to apply for my personalized coaching program where we take all the things I talk about here and apply them to you and your marriage. CLICK HERE to apply.