From: Jonathan Van Viegen
An overcrowded Starbucks, Panama City
Dear Friend,
Whether your relationship feels steady or shaky, here’s something I want you to hear:
Don’t wait until your marriage is falling apart to check in.
Don’t wait until someone says, “I don’t know if I love you anymore.”
Don’t wait until there’s nothing left but resentment, regret, and silence.
Start now.
Start by doing what I call a Relationship Inventory.
What’s a Relationship Inventory?
It’s a way to step out of autopilot and really see your relationship again.
But - and here's the important shift - you're looking to see more than just the bad that’s dominating your thoughts. This is where you look for the good.
It’s not a blame session. Or a scorecard. Or a chance to drop an “I told you so.”
It’s an exercise where you edit the highlight reel – only this time for the wins, not the losses. It’s about naming what’s working.
If you want a better relationship, you gotta talk about more than just what needs attention.
Because when you only focus on what’s broken, you miss the parts that still have life.
I can’t tell you how many couples fail miserably at seeing the positives in their relationship. If they did that more often, I know half of the relationship experts would be hitting the unemployment lines.
And so, I want to give you…
5 Inventory Questions to Ask Each Other Tonight:
What’s one thing I’ve done lately that made you feel loved?
What do you love most about us — and want more of?
Where do you think we’re strongest as a couple?
What’s one small thing I could do to make you feel more connected to me?
When was the last time we felt like a team — and what made that moment work?
Can you sense the vibe of these questions? As in, don’t they just feel good? Aren’t they the kinds of questions that would make a ‘relationship check-in’ palatable?
It’s not therapy. It’s not dramatic. It’s just a conversation — one that, when it takes place often enough, will change the entire direction of your relationship.
And look — if you’re in a place where things already feel fragile… this isn’t just useful. It’s urgent.
Because when someone is thinking about leaving, they’re already in motion.
They’re already planning the next step. They’ve moved out of “unhappy” and into “I’m ready to go.”
But when you slow it down and you ask these questions…
You buy time. You build hope. You create movement.
And movement is everything.
I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again: I’m not here to scale a business. I’m not here for likes or views.
I’m here to save marriages. One honest conversation (with you) at a time.
If this helped you, share it with someone who needs it.
And if you’re in that hard place — just know: you’re not alone, and it’s not too late to check in.
We’re on a mission to save a million marriages.
One of them could be yours.
In faith and love,
Jonathan
aka "Mr. Chosen & Cherished"
P.S. A quick reminder that I’m holding another free Conflict Resolution Workshop this Friday, July 11th at 1:00pm EST.
If you’re struggling in your relationship, or just want to learn how to change up how you manage conflict between you and your partner, I hope you can join me.
Just click here to save your seat.
P.P.S. My latest YouTube video talks about what a man can do to nurture a calm, connected relationship. Check it out here:
P.P.P.S. If you try these inventory questions with your spouse, send me a note back and let me know how it went!
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Jonathan Van Viegen is a couples therapist and relationship coach with over 10 years of experience helping couples rebuild trust, improve communication, and strengthen connection. Known for his direct, no-nonsense style, he’s a trusted voice on relationships and a frequent guest on podcasts and media.
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