Massively Small Steps

Welcome to Massively Small Steps

Hey there! We’re Brad and Renée, the duo behind Massively Small Steps, and we’re so excited to have you here! This blog is all about celebrating the small joys that make life—and our relationship—truly special.

We’ve always believed that the little things add up to something massive. Whether it’s a spontaneous day trip to the mountains, sharing our favorite smoothie (Brad’s got a daily habit!), or just laughing over the latest podcast blooper, it’s the tiny moments that bring us the most joy.

This blog is our way of sharing that joy with you! We’ll be dishing out date ideas, travel tips, and the occasional peek behind the scenes of our life together. But most of all, we want to inspire you to find happiness in your own Massively Small Steps.

So, grab a cup of your favorite drink (Diet Coke for Renée!) and join us on this journey. We promise it’ll be full of laughs, love, and a whole lot of fun. Cheers to the joy in the journey of Life 2.0!

Why We Share Our Story: Inspiring Others as Two People Starting Over

Starting over isn’t easy. As two people who’ve been through the ups and downs of divorce, we know firsthand how daunting it can be to open your heart again. But we also know how beautiful it is to find love after loss, to rediscover joy, and to build a life together that’s rooted in hope. That’s why we feel so led to share our story—not just to tell you about us, but to inspire you to believe in second chances, too...not just for you, but for your the families you lead as well.

When we first met, we were both carrying the weight of our pasts, wondering if we’d ever find happiness again. But what we’ve learned along the way is that starting over isn’t just possible—it can be incredibly fulfilling. Our relationship is a testament to the fact that life doesn’t end with divorce; sometimes, it’s just beginning.

We share our journey because we want others to know they’re not alone. We’ve been where you are—navigating the uncertainty, dealing with the doubts, and wondering if love is still out there. By opening up about our experiences, we hope to offer hope, a reminder that love can find you when you least expect it.

But more than that, we want to show that a relationship built on mutual respect, understanding, and shared values can be even stronger the second time around. We’re not perfect, and our relationship isn’t either, but that’s what makes it real. It’s in the imperfections and the challenges that we’ve found our greatest strengths.

In sharing our story, we hope to inspire others to take the leap, to believe in the possibility of love after heartbreak, and to embrace the journey of starting over. Because if we can do it, so can you.

So here’s to new beginnings, second chances, and the courage to share our story in the hopes that it will inspire yours...one Massively Small Step at a time.

The Heartbeat of a Strong Relationship: Communication

If there’s one thing we’ve learned in our journey together, it’s this: communication is the heartbeat of a strong relationship. It’s the bridge that connects two people, no matter how different their worlds might be. But good communication isn’t just about talking; it’s about truly understanding each other.

In the beginning, it was easy for us to get lost in the excitement of new love, where every conversation felt effortless. But as time went on, we realized that true communication takes effort, patience, and sometimes, vulnerability. It’s not always about agreeing on everything; it’s about being willing to listen, even when it’s hard.

One of the most important lessons we’ve learned is the value of honesty. Speaking your truth, even when it’s uncomfortable, creates a foundation of trust that can weather any storm. It’s about sharing your thoughts, feelings, and even your fears, knowing that you’ll be met with understanding, not judgment.

But communication is a two-way street. It’s not just about expressing yourself; it’s about being a good listener. We’ve made it a point to really listen to each other, not just to the words, but to the emotions behind them. This has allowed us to connect on a deeper level and avoid misunderstandings that can easily arise from assumptions or unspoken expectations.

And then there’s the unspoken communication—those little gestures that say so much. A reassuring touch, a smile from across the room, or simply being present with each other. These moments speak volumes, reminding us that we’re in this together.

At the end of the day, communication is what keeps our relationship strong, healthy, and thriving. It’s the thread that weaves our lives together, making sure that no matter what comes our way, we’re always connected. So, keep talking, keep listening, and never underestimate the power of open, honest communication. It’s the heartbeat that keeps love alive. Take those Massively Small Steps together, and intentionally. Create time to touch base and to communicate deeply...about EVERYTHING. No topic is too big, small, embarrassing, etc. It all counts.

Back-to-School Madness: Surviving with Teenage Girls

It’s that time of year again—back-to-school season! And if you’ve got teenage girls like us, you know what that means: a whirlwind of outfit planning, school supply shopping, and last-minute schedule changes. Let’s be honest, we’ve learned that when it comes to our girls, it’s best to just nod, smile, and let them do their thing. Their happiness? That’s our priority.

Balancing the chaos of back-to-school with our own lives is no small feat. Between early morning drop-offs, after-school activities, and homework marathons, our schedules are packed to the brim. We’ve had to become pros at finding those little pockets of time to reconnect with each other. Sometimes it’s a quick coffee date before the day starts, or an evening walk after the girls are settled with their mountain of assignments and extra-curricular activities.

We’ve also mastered the art of compromise. Maybe we skip a night out in favor of a family dinner, or we turn a grocery run into a mini-date (because who doesn’t love a spontaneous snack aisle adventure?). The key is finding balance—making sure our girls feel supported and loved, while also carving out time for us as a couple. Balancing two house holds, two adult boys (both living out of the home) and two teenage girls (one in middle school, one in high school) can really be joyful instead of stressful if you have great communication and a great plan.

And you know what? It’s all worth it. The smiles on our girls’ faces as they talk about their day, the little moments of connection we steal for ourselves—it’s those Massively Small Steps that keep us grounded during the back-to-school madness.

So here’s to all the parents out there navigating this wild season. Keep going, keep smiling, and remember: as long as the girls are happy, we’re winning!

Exciting News: We’ve Become Amazon Associates!

We're here with some exciting news: we’ve officially been invited to and accepted the offer to become Amazon Associates! But before we dive into what that means for us (and for you), we want to be completely transparent about why we’ve decided to take this step and how it fits into the Massively Small Steps journey.

🛍️What Does It Mean to Be an Amazon Associate?

As Amazon Associates, we earn a small commission when you purchase through the special links we share. The best part? It doesn’t cost you anything extra! However, we want you to know upfront that while this is a way for us to generate a little income, our goal has never been to make money off of our followers. We’re here to share the products we genuinely love and believe in, and we’re committed to only recommending things that align with the Massively Small Steps values and mission.

🛍️Why Did We Do This?

A big part of our journey has been about relationship building—whether that’s strengthening our bond as a couple or encouraging all of you to find joy in the little moments that matter. By becoming Amazon Associates, we can now use any earnings to support our relationship goals, including travel (we love a good trip!) and eventually, our wedding. But again, this is not about using our platform to make a quick buck. There’s a difference between earning money for meaningful experiences and turning followers into a means to profit. We want you to know that we understand and respect that difference.

🛍️ What You Can Expect

You’ll occasionally see links to products we personally love and use, and we’ll always make sure they align with our brand’s values of inspiration, growth, and joy in life’s journey. If you purchase through those links, thank you! Every little bit helps us continue our journey together. But whether you choose to purchase or not, we’re just grateful that you’re here with us on this adventure. 🙏

🛍️ Want to Become an Amazon Associate?

We’re also excited to share that if you’re interested in becoming an Amazon Associate yourself, we’d love to teach you how! It’s a simple way to generate some extra income while sharing the things you love. If that sounds like something you’re curious about, feel free to reach out to us. We’re happy to help you get started!

🛍️Transparency Matters

We’re committed to being completely open about how this works and what we earn from it. We’ll keep you updated on how things are going, and you can trust that we’re always keeping your best interests in mind. Our promise is to share with you authentically—whether it’s about relationship advice, date ideas, or products that enhance your daily life.

Thank you for continuing to be part of this beautiful journey with us. We appreciate every single one of you, and we’re excited for what’s to come!

With love and gratitude,

Brad & Renée 💖

Life Lately: Crazy, Busy, and Loving Every Minute

If life had a soundtrack right now, it’d be a mashup of Eye of the Tiger (for motivation), Flight of the Bumblebee (for the chaos), and maybe a little Don't Stop Believin' (because, well, it’s us).

These past few months have been a whirlwind. Between both of us starting new jobs and trying to remember how to adult while learning new roles, we’ve also been navigating the wonderfully hectic schedules of our teenage girls. Think practices, games, last-minute school projects, and somehow still making time for family dinners (even if they occasionally happen in the car on the way to all the things).

And then, of course, there’s the traveling. We’ve been squeezing in adventures wherever we can—whether it’s a weekend getaway or a quick escape to recharge our batteries. (Pro tip: If you ever feel like you don’t have time to relax, that’s exactly when you need to relax. Preferably somewhere with good snacks.)

But here’s the thing about this season of busyness: it’s full. Full of laughter, full of lessons, and full of memories we wouldn’t trade for anything. Sure, there are moments when we look at each other over FaceTime instead of in person because we are running in different directions, on different ends of town, but there’s also so much joy in the chaos. We’ve learned to embrace the unpredictability, cheer each other on when things get overwhelming, and remind ourselves that these are the moments we’ll look back on someday with big smiles (and maybe a nap).

Through it all, we’re reminded of the power of those Massively Small Steps—the quick check-ins, the coffee dates squeezed into busy mornings, the “you’ve got this” text messages when the day feels long. It’s these tiny moments of connection and care that keep us grounded, even when life feels like a juggling act with flaming torches.

So here’s to new jobs, teenage drama (the good kind and the oh-my-gosh kind), impromptu road trips, and everything in between. Life may be busy, but it’s also beautiful—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

What’s been keeping your life delightfully crazy lately? Drop us a comment and let us know—we’d love to hear from you!

Here’s to all the chaos and all the joy, one Massively Small Step at a time.

Love During Flu Season: Surviving Sickness as a Couple

Ah, flu season. That magical time of year when your love language shifts from words of affirmation to "Did you take your meds?" and "Here’s some tea, babe."

Surviving flu season as a couple is an art form. It’s a test of patience, endurance, and just how many tissues your bathroom trash can hold before one of you caves and takes it out. But with a little humor, a lot of hand sanitizer, and the right mindset, you can get through it stronger than ever.

1. Accept Your Fate (Together)
One of you starts sniffling, and within 48 hours, the other is down for the count. It’s science. Accept it. The sooner you embrace the fact that you’re both about to live in sweats and binge-watch literally anything, the better.

💡 Pro Tip: Choose your flu season entertainment wisely. This is NOT the time to start an intense, plot-heavy show. Stick to something light and rewatchable (Parks and Rec, The Office, or a Love Is Blind marathon if you're feeling brave).

2. Set Boundaries (Even in a One-Bedroom Apartment)

When one of you is the sick one and the other is the nurse, things get complicated. You want to help, but you also don’t want to be the next victim. It’s a delicate dance.

Flu Season Rules of Engagement:
✅ Cough in the opposite direction (always)
✅ No sharing drinks (no matter how much they beg)
✅ Kisses are temporarily suspended—blow kisses only!

3. The Soup and Tea Olympics

At some point, one of you will have to brave the outside world for supplies. The grocery store will feel like an arctic tundra, and picking the right kind of soup is a mission that requires deep thought.

Flu Season MVPs:

Classic chicken noodle (because obviously)
Ginger tea (with a little honey and lemon = magic)
Crackers (for when your stomach is being dramatic)
Electrolyte drinks (because hydration is life)

4. Embrace the Chaos (And Maybe Laugh About It)

Your apartment will smell like menthol rub. Your bed will be covered in cough drop wrappers. Someone will snore in a way that sounds like a broken chainsaw. This is love in its rawest, most congested form.

💡 Reminder: In a few weeks, you’ll look back at this and laugh. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday.

5. Plan a ‘We Survived’ Date Night

Once the tissues are gone and you can breathe through both nostrils again, celebrate! Pick a night, get dressed in something other than pajamas, and enjoy being flu-free together. Bonus points if you toast with the electrolyte drink that saved your life. 🥂

At the end of the day, surviving flu season together is just another reminder that love isn’t always glamorous—it’s in the little things. Like making soup at midnight, restocking tissues without being asked, and rewatching the same episode three times because one of you fell asleep.

So here’s to love, laughter, and making it through flu season—one Massively Small cough drop at a time.