Whew! Perhaps you’re just recently engaged and over the moon ecstatic about upcoming newlywed life, or maybe this finds you in the dating pool and you find yourself wondering if the ‘one’ is really out there for you. Regardless of what end of the spectrum you may be, it’s such a unique and defining time in life.
Now, I’m definitely NOT a dating expert by any means. Believe me, this girl got so nervous for a blind date, she read the menu upside-down. So yeah, dating was hard for me. Yes, it was fun to dress up and go out, but it was also a time of rejection and awkwardness and feeling vulnerable and insecure. Holy smokes! But over the years, I stumbled across a few books that were so instrumental and helpful during these seasons of life and I wanted to share them with ya!
Now, I’m definitely NOT a dating expert by any means. Believe me, this girl got so nervous for a blind date, she read the menu upside-down. So yeah, dating was hard for me. Yes, it was fun to dress up and go out, but it was also a time of rejection and awkwardness and feeling vulnerable and insecure. Holy smokes! But over the years, I stumbled across a few books that were so instrumental and helpful during these seasons of life and I wanted to share them with ya!
1) THE BEST YES by Lysa Terkeurst
This book. Oh, this book! I am such a people pleaser and desperately want to make others happy. But at the end of the day, sometimes making others happy, whether that is your parents or co-workers or friends or pressures of life, can leave you…empty. And unfulfilled. Especially during the dating and engagement season of life when you might feel like you’re ‘behind’ or life’s not turning out as you had thought or your life looks different than what others envisioned for you. But what is right and true for someone else DOES NOT necessarily mean it’s right and true for you too, and I love how this book uncovers what the ‘Best Yes’ looks like. For you.
2) THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES by Gary Chapman
Everyone has a different way they express and need love, and this book spells it out!!! Gary Chapman walks through the Five Love Languages and how each one of us have a different love ‘language’. Allan and I have very different love languages. His is Words of Affirmation, where mine is Gifts. Having a better understanding of his love language through this book has given me a deeper understanding of how he feels loved and also practical tools to show him love since I am not wired with Words of Affirmation. This book has been super helpful in my relationship with Allan, but its also SO great for all kinds of reelationships. Knowing how your friends and family and others feel loved can allow you to show them how you care in a more personal and meaningful way. Love this book!
3) WILD AT HEART by John Eldredge
I read this book in college and I remember thinking, I want a man like this. The book is more written and meant for guys, and there is actually a women’s version called Captivating written by the same author and his wife, but I personally loved the guy version. So much. I loved reading about what God designed men for. And as a single, dating at the time, this book painted a beautiful picture of what I longed for in my future husband.
4) SHEET MUSIC by Dr. Kevin Leman
A dear friend handed me this book when I got engaged, and I am SO very thankful cause let’s be real, guys and girls have VERY different expectations and ideas of sex! This book is written for couples about to be married and or already married couples. And if possible, definitely best to read WITH your partner. Some topics are kind of awkward and revealing, but Dr. Kevin Leman breaks things down in a way that allows for some good and honest discussion.
5) THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE by Timothy Keller
I like to know the WHY behind things. Why did you choose that job, or school or church? Why do you love me? Why do you want to travel there? The why is the reason we do certain and don’t do certain things. So when it came to marriage, the most important decision I’d ever make, I definitely wanted to know ‘The Why’!!! And this book changed my whole perspective of marriage. Tim Keller is so brilliant. This read was a life changer for me and such an insightful look at ‘the why’ of marriage, and the purpose behind it!
I hope you find these books helpful and or insightful wherever you may be in this season of life! And…if you have anything or questions you’d like me to chat about in a future post, comment below or send me an email at hello@lisadejagerphotography.com.
Happy Thursday all!
This book. Oh, this book! I am such a people pleaser and desperately want to make others happy. But at the end of the day, sometimes making others happy, whether that is your parents or co-workers or friends or pressures of life, can leave you…empty. And unfulfilled. Especially during the dating and engagement season of life when you might feel like you’re ‘behind’ or life’s not turning out as you had thought or your life looks different than what others envisioned for you. But what is right and true for someone else DOES NOT necessarily mean it’s right and true for you too, and I love how this book uncovers what the ‘Best Yes’ looks like. For you.
2) THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES by Gary Chapman
Everyone has a different way they express and need love, and this book spells it out!!! Gary Chapman walks through the Five Love Languages and how each one of us have a different love ‘language’. Allan and I have very different love languages. His is Words of Affirmation, where mine is Gifts. Having a better understanding of his love language through this book has given me a deeper understanding of how he feels loved and also practical tools to show him love since I am not wired with Words of Affirmation. This book has been super helpful in my relationship with Allan, but its also SO great for all kinds of reelationships. Knowing how your friends and family and others feel loved can allow you to show them how you care in a more personal and meaningful way. Love this book!
3) WILD AT HEART by John Eldredge
I read this book in college and I remember thinking, I want a man like this. The book is more written and meant for guys, and there is actually a women’s version called Captivating written by the same author and his wife, but I personally loved the guy version. So much. I loved reading about what God designed men for. And as a single, dating at the time, this book painted a beautiful picture of what I longed for in my future husband.
4) SHEET MUSIC by Dr. Kevin Leman
A dear friend handed me this book when I got engaged, and I am SO very thankful cause let’s be real, guys and girls have VERY different expectations and ideas of sex! This book is written for couples about to be married and or already married couples. And if possible, definitely best to read WITH your partner. Some topics are kind of awkward and revealing, but Dr. Kevin Leman breaks things down in a way that allows for some good and honest discussion.
5) THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE by Timothy Keller
I like to know the WHY behind things. Why did you choose that job, or school or church? Why do you love me? Why do you want to travel there? The why is the reason we do certain and don’t do certain things. So when it came to marriage, the most important decision I’d ever make, I definitely wanted to know ‘The Why’!!! And this book changed my whole perspective of marriage. Tim Keller is so brilliant. This read was a life changer for me and such an insightful look at ‘the why’ of marriage, and the purpose behind it!
I hope you find these books helpful and or insightful wherever you may be in this season of life! And…if you have anything or questions you’d like me to chat about in a future post, comment below or send me an email at hello@lisadejagerphotography.com.
Happy Thursday all!