Valentine’s Day can feel romantic… or really overwhelming.In this episode, we talk about the pressure behind February 14th — the expectations, the disappointments, and the silent resentment that can build when needs go unspoken. Why does one day carry so much weight in marriage? And how can couples shift from performance to presence?We unpack:• Why unspoken expectations lead to hurt• How fear of “getting it wrong” creates distance• Why comparison (especially on social media) makes it worse• How to actually celebrate love in a meaningful wayValentine’s Day doesn’t define your marriage — but it can reveal where you need connection, communication, and growth.If you don’t know your Enneagram type, take our free assessment on our website.Website: https://imperfectlymarriedpodcast.com/Merch: https://imperfectlymarriedpodcast.com/storeInstagram: imperfectlymarried_thepodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@imperfectly_married

Why does emotional intimacy come so naturally to some people and feel absolutely overwhelming to others? In this Enneagram Edition of Imperfectly Married, Michael and Heather slow the conversation down and explore the deeper reasons emotional closeness can feel safe, confusing, or even terrifying depending on your personality wiring.Building on the previous episode about developing emotional intimacy, this conversation goes beneath surface-level skills and looks at fear, safety, needs, stories, and spiritual formation through the lens of the Enneagram. You’ll learn how each of the nine Enneagram types approaches emotional intimacy, what blocks vulnerability for each type, and how those patterns quietly shape trust, connection, and distance in marriage.From the Type One’s struggle with imperfection, to the Type Two’s habit of giving without receiving, to the Type Five’s fear of depletion, to the Type Nine’s tendency to disappear to keep the peace, this episode brings clarity and compassion to the ways couples protect themselves emotionally. Michael and Heather also weave in insights from the Gottman Institute, Scripture, and real-life marriage experience to show how emotional intimacy grows when people feel seen, safe, and secure.Don't know what your enneagram type is? Take the assessment for free on our website:https://imperfectlymarriedpodcast.com/Find us online:Website: https://imperfectlymarriedpodcast.com/Merch: https://imperfectlymarriedpodcast.com/storeInstagram: imperfectlymarried_thepodcast Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576918626044TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@imperfectly_married

Emotional intimacy doesn’t happen overnight — and it doesn’t grow without safety, trust, and intention. In this powerful conversation, Michael and Heather are joined by longtime friends Assad Saif and Summer Saif to unpack what emotional intimacy really is, why so many couples struggle to build it, and how it can be restored even after seasons of disconnection.Together, they explore how emotional intimacy is rooted in trust and commitment, why you can only connect as deeply as you’ve gone personally, and how small, consistent steps can rebuild safety in a marriage that feels stuck. The conversation breaks down practical tools like emotional “baby steps,” rebuilding trust incrementally, navigating personality differences, and using frameworks such as love maps to truly know your spouse — not just coexist with them.Assad and Summer also share vulnerable insights from their own marriage, including how therapy, faith, self-awareness, and communication rhythms have helped them move through conflict and deepen connection over time. From learning how to express emotions safely, to understanding how emotional safety impacts physical and spiritual closeness, this episode offers hope and clarity for couples at every stage.If you’ve ever felt emotionally distant, unsure how to reconnect, or afraid to open up again, this conversation reminds you that emotional intimacy is not a personality trait — it’s a skill that can be learned, practiced, and rebuilt with patience and grace.Don't know what your enneagram type is? Take the assessment for free on our website:https://imperfectlymarriedpodcast.com/Find us online:Website: https://imperfectlymarriedpodcast.com/Merch: https://imperfectlymarriedpodcast.com/storeInstagram: imperfectlymarried_thepodcast Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576918626044TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@imperfectly_married