Focus on the Family with Jim Daly How to Cultivate Lasting Love
Jan 23, 2026
Dino and Ashley Petrone, co-authors of 'Designed to Last,' share their journey of love and growth. Married young, they navigated early struggles like loneliness and counseling, ultimately deepening their bond through challenges. They discuss how remodeling homes reflects their marriage dynamics and emphasize the importance of embracing difficult paths for personal and relational growth. Ashley offers practical mindset shifts for women in marriage, while both encourage spiritual development as a means to cultivate lasting love.
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Remodeling Revealed Marriage Fault Lines
- Ashley and Dino started marriage tension over remodels and differing skill sets, which created conflict early on.
- Their story shows how discovering each other's strengths turned remodeling fights into teamwork.
Choose Long-Term 'Us' Over Short-Term 'Me'
- Stop prioritizing short-term comforts and choose actions that benefit the marriage long-term.
- Think "us" not "me" and invest in disciplines that grow the relationship over time.
Miscarriage Became A Bonding Valley
- Early in marriage the Petrones experienced miscarriage and used it as a time to grieve and lean on God together.
- They credit that valley with teaching them to count it all joy and deepening their bond.
