When I asked my coworker out on a date, he rejected me. I'm still glad I put myself out there.

Tech Insider : Business
a woman and man chatting in an office while holding cups
The author (not pictured) asked her coworker on a date.

Westend61/Getty Images/Westend61

My husband handles all the outside chores, and I handle the inside ones. This compromise is the key to happiness in our marriage.

Tech Insider : Business
a view from inside a washing machine as a couple load it up with their laundry
The author (not pictured) and her husband split their house chores evenly.

freemixer/Getty Images

My ex dumped me by sending a voice note. It was painful and confusing.

Tech Insider : Business
a woman listening to a message on her phone
The author (not pictured) received a voice note from her ex.

Westend61/Getty Images/Westend61

I always ran back to the same ex, calling her my backup plan. She's now engaged to someone else, and I learned how toxic I am.

Tech Insider : Business
a man comforting his distraught girlfriend
The author (not pictured) kept running back to his ex.

Witthaya Prasongsin/Getty Images

I was 7 years sober when I met my husband. I still needed to set boundaries with him when his drinking triggered me.

Tech Insider : Business
Camilla Richardson and her husband embracing
The author (left) had to be open about her sobriety with her husband.

Courtesy of Leah Hope Photography

I've been married for three years and still haven't changed my last name. The longer I wait, the less I want to.

Tech Insider : Business
an unhappy couple on the couch
The author, not pictured, doesn't want to take her husband's last name.

Hispanolistic/Getty Images

I use the term 'partner' when speaking about my boyfriend. I didn't expect it to be a controversial label.

Tech Insider : Business
Couple embracing and looking through the window at the apartment
A couple embraces as they look through the window of their apartment

Frazao Studio Latino/Getty Images

After my divorce, my college boyfriend reached out. We fell in love again, and I'm about to marry him.

Tech Insider
Isobella Jade and her college boyfriend next to them in present day
The author is marrying her college boyfriend decades later.

Courtesy of Isobella Jade

I helped Tom Cruise and other celebrities divorce, but I've been happily married for 38 years. I've learned that dates — and postnups — can be key to marital bliss.

Tech Insider
A woman is taking off her wedding room.

Jason Dean/Getty Images

When my friend canceled our 40th birthday trip to Paris last minute, I was frustrated. But it led me to meet my French husband.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Dufflyn Lammers walking the streets of Paris with a bag of flowers
The author met her husband on a solo trip to Paris.

Courtney Bowlden Photography

Subscribe to sex-and-relationships