David Archuleta is now moving into the realm of mid-singles. There was a time when he seemed to have everything. He is handsome, talented, charismatic, and wealthy. He is a celebrity. The world has recently learned about his private struggle to maintain his faith amid doubts about his sexual orientation. This has reminded me that […]

I used to think the objective was to marry someone "normal" and not "irrational." Well, aside from the fact that "normal" is very much in the eye of the beholder, I also do not think it exists. Anyone you marry will, at some time, convince you that he or she is completely nuts. This has […]

This was one of my overriding worries when my marriage to my wife of 15 years ended. I was over 40 and divorced, and didn't think I was particularly good at dating in my 20s. I got married at 26, which was ancient at BYU at that time. Back then, I found talking to a […]

The mid-single community is made up of unique and diverse men and women with interesting life stories. However, we have observed at least one thing that almost all mid-singles have in common. They are survivors. Virtually every mid-single we have known has a story of profound loss—whether it is the passing of a beloved spouse, […]

In 1969, "Paul" (Noel Paul Stookey) of the singing trio "Peter, Paul, and Mary" wrote a song for Peter's wedding. Peter asked him to bring some "inspiration" to the ceremony. Noel prayed to God about it and the words came to him immediately. He wrote them down as the Spirit dictated and then translated them […]

We got our first podcast fan letter!!! One of Cathy's violin students wrote this sweet note and gave it to her after lessons. It was such a darling gesture and it's a new first for us! We couldn't have asked for a better first fan letter. Such a great surprise! LILY Pod can be found […]

These are my thoughts on dating (written by Jeff as a mid-single in 2013): Dating is far easier in my 40s than it was in my 20s. (If you married in your 20s and have remained married, chances are that you are scratching your head.) I am far more comfortable in my own skin now. […]

We produced a LILY Pod episode on pursuing personal and relational excellence, while remembering to keep in mind that joy is the design of our existence. It is wise to include the pursuit of happiness as the underlying sentiment of all ambitious endeavors. This includes stepping back to observe our creations as good, just as […]

In late 2017, I went to China with a delegation of Utah business leaders. At least twice a day during the two weeks we were there, business and political leaders threw huge banquet lunches and dinners for us with the finest foods China has to offer. I have never experienced the "red carpet" treatment like […]