6 a.m. Conversations

Everybody wants romance until it’s time to check the bank account.

Love sounds poetic until the light bill, daycare, and that unexpected “car making a new sound” hit in the same week. Then all of a sudden “date night” becomes Netflix and whoever’s got enough energy to stay awake past ten.

Don’t act like you don’t know the struggle.

We love to talk about “spoiling our spouse,” but sometimes that just means letting them nap in peace while you handle dinner. Ain’t no rose petals, just chicken wings and quiet. And guess what? That’s okay.

See, we’ve let the world convince us that love has to be expensive to be meaningful. Social media will have you thinking your marriage is failing because you didn’t do a surprise trip to Aruba for your anniversary. Meanwhile, y’all just trying to get these groceries to stretch til’ payday.

Let me help you out, love don’t need a receipt.

Some of the most intimate, powerful moments don’t cost a dime. Holding hands in the parking lot after a long day. Sharing a meal you both cooked together. Laughing until your stomach hurts. That’s the good stuff.

Because if your love only shines when money’s flowing, it’s not love, it’s leasing. And like most leases, when the funds dry up, so does the feeling.

The truth is, real love finds creativity when money gets tight. You start seeing how resourceful your partner is. You learn how to make a dollar out of fifteen cents and still have joy left over. You realize it’s not about how much you spend, but how much you invest in time, in kindness, in consistency.

Now, don’t get me wrong, every now and then, go do something special. But don’t confuse luxury with love. Some of the richest couples are miserable and some of the happiest ones are sitting on a couch eating takeout with matching sweats and full hearts.

Love on a budget teaches you gratitude. It makes you appreciate the small wins. It forces you to remember that your spouse’s presence is a gift, not a financial project.

When you can love each other through the lean seasons, you’ll be unstoppable when abundance comes. Because the same faith that carried you through “barely enough” will prepare you for “more than enough.”

And here’s the truth, sometimes God lets you go through the budget years not to punish you, but to purify your perspective. He’s teaching you that love built on faith, laughter, and teamwork lasts longer than anything money can buy.

So yeah, romance is nice. But partnership? That’s priceless.

Think about this, when money gets tight, do you shrink in frustration or grow in creativity together?

Loving by HIS Word–“Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure with turmoil.” Proverbs 15:16

God isn’t against prosperity. He just wants your peace to grow faster than your paycheck. The love that leans on Him during lack will recognize His hand during increase. Be faithful in the lean times; they’re the training ground for abundance.

6 a.m. Quote–“If your love can survive ramen noodles and overdue bills, it’ll thrive when the steak and vacations come.”

Marlon Dean–6 a.m. Conversation “Where love meets faith, one day at a time”