~~~ SO TOOTSIE ~~~

Abuse is not always physical, it can be emotional and verbal as well. I am a strong believer in respecting those around me as well as respecting myself. I encourage and challenge everyone reading this to think before they speak; yes, even when you are angry! Below are two ways to recognize if you are the perpetrator or recipient of verbal abuse and what you can do towards ending it. Before introducing you to them; I want to make note, it is possible for the acting perpetrator or recipient to change rolls in the relationship. This is not what you want to happen. The goal here is to eliminate verbal abuse altogether. If you are saying harsh things to your spouse or partner that you, yourself, wouldn't want to hear or receive; you are the acting perpetrator. If your partner or spouse makes comments to and

Say "I Love you" and mean it. Don't make your date uncomfortable! You may end up with a restraining order if you go too far! Discuss past relationships or how many partners you have had. This is a big mistake and can lead to your date going to the bathroom and never coming back!

It is important to not only know who you are but to also love who you are. Below are six steps you can incorporate in your life to help you love yourself more. Write down 10 great qualities you recognize about yourself. If you can't list 10, enlist family members and friends to help. They can sometimes recognize great qualities in us that we don't see in ourselves. Get a piece of paper and write, "I love that I am _______."  Fill in the blank with a positive quality. Next say the complete sentence out loud in the mirror. If you like, take this a step farther and log them in a written or online diary so that you can refer to them at a later time.

It is important, especially in a relationship or marriage, to understand how your words and actions affect others. Below are some things you can do that sound really easy and, in fact, will become healthy lifestyle changes with lots of practice amongst your significant other and yourself! Learn to be humble ; having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance. Daily consider the stress and/or negative events that may have taken place in your partner's day or life. Apologize when you are wrong! Know that it is okay to have differences but it is not okay to physically fight and verbally abuse each other over them! Write down and pray on things that you can or could do better. Ask your partner what you need him or her to do more of? Don't take offense to the answer but instead use it as a platform of communication.

Never go outside if your date blows the horn; they need to come to the door! It's okay to demand respect as long as you are willing to return the favor. If you are going on a date with someone new; get directions and meet your date at the destination (drive yourself)! Always let someone you know and trust know where you are going; keep them posted on all of your whereabouts throughout the duration of the date!

Do you know the difference between dating and courting?  Dating is defined as an informal outing with someone you are romantically or sexually interested in. Courting on the other hand, is being involved with someone romantically, with the intention of marrying. With this perspective, what are the top 5 things you are looking for in a potential mate?  Please respond I am interested in your response!

 I am reveling how important and dynamic the word and emotion of love is. It is the only word or emotion that can be warm yet cold, high yet low, strong yet weak, painful yet pleasurable, revered yet rebuked, understood yet unspoken, appreciated yet overlooked, nurtured yet abused, hidden yet exposed, careful yet