Love Must Be Tough by Dr. James Dobson

p 42 Human freedom is a precious thing and we react decisively against those who take it or restrict it from us. .. FREEDOM IS THE FUEL OF ROMANTIC FIRE....The word respect...is absolutely basic to all human relationships...The basic marital problem usually involves matters of respect which are often generated during instances of confrontation.
p 45 It is very difficult to love a person romantically and pity him or her at the same time.
p 55 Genuine love demands toughness in moments of crisis...Grown ups too..unconsciously perhaps, are asking the question: HOW MUCH COURAGE DO YOU HAVE? and DO YOU LOVE ME ENOUGH TO STOP ME FROM DOING THIS FOOLISH THING?
p 62 (If a person who is feeling smothered) there will be INSTANT relief if you make it clear that there are limits to what you can tolerate; this shows self-respect and confidence....Your purpose is to be tough but loving as well.
p 77 The confrontation may result in the sudden demise of the relationship. But without the crisis, there is a much higher probability of a lingering death...A blowout is better than a slow leak.
p 82 When one partner makes up his mind to act irresponsibly, he usually seeks to justify his behavior by magnifying the failures of his partner.....Rejection by the one you love, particularly, is the most powerful destroyer of self-esteem in the entire realm of humanity.
p 192 Don't marry the person you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can't live without.

c. 1984 c. 2004 Multnomah

Heartfelt Blessing by Kate Nowak

There was once a wise woman traveling in the mountains who found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and she opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked if she might give it to him. She did so without hesitation.

The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But only a few days later he came back to return the stone to the woman who had given it to him.

"I've been thinking," he said, "I know how valuable the stone is, but I'm giving it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. I want you to give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone."