Jeff and Lora Helton, authors of the marriage-transformation book The 50 Fridays Marriage Challenge, are a husband-and-wife duo who coach, counsel, and consult other married couples. Between them, they have an impressive background: Lora earned her Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton Graduate School and was in private practice for seven years, while Jeff spent nearly three decades as a pastor, offering spiritual guidance to men and families.
Now, they’re offering their expert advice to an even broader audience. In their new book, they encourage their readers to ask themselves one question each week. Their hope is to spark conversation and open up the boundaries in a relationship, allowing spouses to better understand each other and thus increase the intimacy that they share. Here, Lora and Jeff give CupidsPulse.com the inside scoop on their game-changing challenge.
Getting married is a big step in a couple’s relationship. This should be an exciting time for you as long as you’re doing it for the right reasons. Are you about to tie the knot with that special someone, but in the back of your mind you’re still questioning your motives? Cupid has four questions you should ask yourself before you decide whether or not you’re ready to commit:
The first woman to win The Biggest Loser — a show that premieres its fifteenth season next Tuesday, October 8th — Ali Vincent really lives up to her motto of “believe it, be it.” She has moved on from reality television to become a motivational speaker and author of Believe It, Be It: How Being the Biggest Loser Won Me Back My Life. Vincent continues to live a rich, full life with her new show Live Big with Ali Vincent on the Live Well Network.
Jayson Blair and Rumer Willis. Photo: GBKProductions
By Kerri Sheehan
Celebrities came out this weekend for GBK’s Annual Luxury Gift Lounge at the W. Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The Gift Lounge honored nominees and presenters of the 2013 Emmy Awards and featured a range of great gifts and brands while also including some worthwhile charities, such as The Creative Coalition, Lambda Legal, GUARDaHEART Foundation, and spcaLA.
GBK teamed up with NEW Tidy Cats® LightWeight 24/7 Performance® to put on the event and raised a whooping $49,000 for charity. Some of the luxury gifts given away at the Lounge were jewelry from Helzberg Diamonds, flat irons from Barbar Hair Tools, and hair extensions from Pelo Hair, Los Angeles. Many great vacation destinations were also highlighted like The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, which gifted an all-inclusive resort stay. Guests such as Rumer Willis, Ed O’Neil, Dennis Quaid, Jason Isaacs, and Neil Patrick Harris, this year’s Emmy’s host, were in attendance.
CupidsPulse.com was there to chat with the stars about dating and relationships–check out the star’s advice below!
What is your best tip for maintaining a healthy relationship?
Zoe Kravitz and Penn Badgley. Photo: GTRES/FAMEFLYNET
By April Littleton
The romance may still be alive for Penn Badgley and Zoe Kravitz. The couple, who called it quits this past June, seemed to work things out during a romantic getaway to Rome, Italy Sunday, September 22.
They broke up because of schedules but they had a moment to reconnect and those feelings are still there. We’ll see,” a source close to the After Earth actress told UsMagazine.com.
How do you balance your career with your relationship?
How to plan the perfect proposal. Photo: dolgachov / Bigstock.com
By Rachel Seliger, JDate Community Manager
Over the past few years, we have seen hundreds of couples share videos of their engagements for the world to see. We laugh, we cry, and we love to share that special moment with the happy couple.
If you are planning the big moment and need a little inspiration, here are my top five suggestions for seamlessly executing your proposal:
Alicia Etheredge and Bobby Brown. Photo: Izumi Hasegawa / PR Photos
On Thursday, September 19, 2013, the First Annual “Legends Beyond” Gala gathered some of the biggest celebrity names in Beverly Hills, California, to help benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. The disease affects over 1.5 million people with the United States, so all donations from the charity directly went to fund research with the foundation. This elite vintage glamour-themed evening consisted of live performances, silent auctions, and of course, a fantastic array of stars to join in on the excitement. CupidsPulse.com was there for the fun too!
Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen were the hosts of this red carpet event that honored musicians, like Maurice White, who was part of the multi Grammy-winning group, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Grammy-winning artist Howard McCrary, as well as other stars that advocate for Parkinson’s awareness.
We asked some famous stars that attended the event for their best relationship advice — check out their responses below!
After the performance at the VMA’s and her newest music video, it is safe to say that Miley Cyrus is on everyone’s minds whether we like it or not. She has taken the media by storm and consequently our consciousness but don’t fret. This is not a complete lost cause. There are lessons to be learned from this. So here are five don’ts that should never enter the dating world as seen by Miley Cyrus:
Couple before sunrise. Photo: aaasimon / Bigstock.com
By April Littleton
Dating someone who has lost a significant other can prove to be challenging. It’ll be hard for them to let someone else into their heart after such a tragedy, but if you’re willing to be patient and show them there’s love after loss, the relationship you might be able to build will prove to be worth it. Cupid has some advice:
Kailen Rosenberg, Oprah’s “Love Ambassador” and co-host of the revolutionary television show Lovetown USA, knows what it takes to find a lasting relationship and love. The relationship author has a method that inspires people to put aside their bad habits and find their true self — and she has proof that the dating advice works in many happy famous couples that she’s helped. Her new book, Real Love, Right Now, is a set of guidelines that focus on discovering what really matters in a romantic relationship. The dating expert touches upon physical, mental and emotional self-appraisal before explaining her 30-day plan to help singles succeed in their search for The One. Real Love, Right Now even comes with it’s own set of fun “homework” assignments to deepen its impact.
Lance Bass and Michael Turchin. Credit: Rocstar/CPR/Goodwin/FAMEFLYNET
By April Littleton
A source confirmed to People that Lance Bass is engaged to artist Michael Turchin. A week after his reunion with the other ‘NSYNC bandmates for the VMAs, Bass revealed that he popped the question to his longtime boyfriend. “He said YES!! Love this man,” Bass wrote on Instagram Sunday with a photo of the couple showing off the engagement ring.
Couple getting ready for work. Photo: Wavebreak Media Ltd / Bigstock.com
By Courtney Allen
It is said that “a woman’s loyalty is tested when her man has nothing, and a man’s loyalty is tested when he has everything.” And let’s face it; every guy and gal is bound to face these crucial tests in their relationship.
That is because in this complicated and unpredictable life, failure and success go hand in hand; whether it is at your first D1 college soccer game after your coach unexpectedly declares you goalie or your first, real job out of college as a local reporter at your hometown television station. But it’s not failure that defines you; it’s how you recover from the seemingly life-ending experience that determines just how bright your future will be. Believe it or not, your partner can make all the difference in getting you back on the path to success. For better, but in this case, for worse, every great partner will do these exact things to get the one they love through the hardest of times:
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Photo: Andrew Evans / PR Photos
By Kristyn Schwiep
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas are taking a break. According to People, the celebrity couple hasn’t been photographed together since April 22 and they have been vacationing separately with their kids. The couple has not filed for divorce and they hope they can work out their differences. “They want the best for their kids no matter what happens,” said a source.
What are three reasons to take a break from your relationship?
Secrets to a happy relationship. Photo: Subbotina Anna / Bigstock.com
By Lesli Doares
Reality shows focus on hooking up, finding a spouse and the wedding. Movies and books end at the beginning of a couples’ life together or as the relationship is ending in divorce. There is very little focus on the time married. Ben Affleck got in trouble at the Oscars when he publicly thanked his wife, Jennifer Garner, and the work their marriage has been for the last ten years. Wow, who wants to sign up for that? So, how does any couple keep their marriage healthy and happy over the years?
People confirms that Khloe Kardashian has been in touch with husband Lamar Odom since his alleged disappearance. Amid all of the drug reports, rumors of infidelity are also swirling around the couple. The duo hasn’t been photographed together since June 2.
What are some ways to help your partner through an addiction?
Rumors are swirling around about Lamar Odom’s alleged drug use. A source close to both Odom and Khloe Kardashian told People that the Keeping up with the Kardashians star has been struggling to help her husband. “It’s a really hard time for Khloe. She’s kept this secret for almost two years trying to save Lamar and their marriage,” the source said.
What are some ways to support your partner through substance abuse?
As if relationships aren’t challenging enough, many people face an additional obstacle when they discover that their parents do not support the romance and advocate a breakup. While it’s always important to be true to yourself, love can sometimes be blind and sometimes outside opinions can be helpful in evaluating your relationship. After all, your parents have known you the longest and only have your best intentions at heart. So, how do you know when you should listen when your parents advise you to break up? Here are some of Cupid’s tips:
How to survive wedding season. Photo: Ina.Pandora / Bigstock.com
By Rachel Seliger, JDate Community Manager
The summer months are known for a few things: warm nights, pool parties, BBQs and of course, weddings. For singles, wedding season is exciting, but it can be overwhelming when you feel like you are always the bridesmaid and never the bride.
Goofy couple on wedding day. Photo: llaszlo / Bigstock.com
By Laura Seldon for GalTime.com
What’s “normal” and what’s not when it comes to dating, love and relationships? Think you and your partner align with the average couple? Or are your relationship behaviors totally out there? We’ve asked several therapists, marriage counselors and relationship experts from around the country to shed some light on relationship behaviors that seem odd at first, but are actually quite normal. Take a seat and see how you and your mate compare!
Couple gazing at each other. Photo: AndreyPopov / Bigstock.com
By Matty Staudt for GalTime.com
I have been with my wife for over 10 years. We have an amazing relationship that is full of love and understanding. We rarely argue, never fight and are genuinely each other’s best friends. The one thing that we have recently realized though, is that we don’t really communicate everything that is on our mind or bothering us about the other person. We are so busy keeping each other happy that we don’t make time to talk about the little bothers that can build up.
How to overcome marital hardships. Photo: PH.OK / Bigstock.com
By Mark Baer
Marriage is a wonderful institution that affords couples significant psychological, emotional and financial benefits, in addition to being a commitment of their love to each other. Almost certainly, nobody enters into a marriage, expecting that it will end in divorce. However, over the years, certain risk factors that contribute to the likelihood of divorce have become increasingly clear. The following is a list of 5 of the top risk factors for divorce:
Chances are, you’re familiar with Alex Fernandez’s work. After years of playing small roles on television shows like Heroes, Prison Break and Army Wives and lending his voice to video games like Call of Duty: Black Ops and Socom 4: US Navy Seals, the actor is now enjoying more prominent parts on Lifetime’s hit summer series Devious Maids as well asKiller Women and The Bridge.
Alex Pettyfer and Riley Keough are back together again. Photo: asquez/Flynetpictures.com
By April Littleton
Riley Keough was seen with her ex-fiance, Magic Mike actor Alex Pettyfer, at the L.A. premiere screening of Lee Daniels’ The Butler. “There was definitely warmth between Riley and Alex. They were laughing together and smiling at each other,” an onlooker told UsMagazine.com. Another eyewitness reported seeing the duo “holding hands” in the VIP area. The couple first appeared together in October 2011. Six months later, Keough stepped out with an engagement ring, but before the year was up, the lovebirds called off the wedding.
How do you know when it’s time to give your ex a second chance?
It happens all the time. Things are going really well in your relationship, and then all of a sudden — BOOM, like a guillotine coming down on someone’s head — something goes wrong. But this time, the guillotine is coming down on your head, and you’re facing another heartbreak.
You thought you knew exactly what he wanted; you read all the books and watched all the dating programs; and you did everything you could to make sure you were the perfect girlfriend. You even spoke for hours on end with the girls about what men really want and how to play the relationship game properly. Trouble is, it seems you still don’t know what men DON’T want in a relationship.
