“Have couple friends, and do fun outings with them.” “Make sure you have a core group of girlfriends.” “Make play dates for your kids. Join a ‘mommy and me’ group.” We have so many people offering us this advice — not to mention the social media feed of happy couples doing happy things all of...

The Dubuque Hempstead High School class of 1997 has a few well-kept secrets. And when that many people have dirt on you, you tend to keep them close — at least that’s how Michelle Healey described it. “We know so much about each other, what other choice do we have?” she said, erupting in laughter....

The Dubuque Jaycees is best known for its community involvement, participating in everything from local food drives to international projects that create an impact and with an eye toward fostering self-improvement and leadership skills among young community members along the way. It also has produced a friendship in a group of 13 local women that...

The theme for this month’s issue of Her magazine is relationships. And I, of course, write about food, and in particular, how food is a great way to bring people together. So when I was contemplating my topic for this month’s column, I thought: Food … bringing people together … relationships. I got it! Aphrodisiacs....

Having a baby typically is one of the happiest times in a couple’s lives but also one of the most transformative experiences a couple will go through. No longer is a couple focused only on each other, but now, they are responsible for the care of a newborn. While this can bring great joy, it...

One of our closest relationships in our lifetime is with our parents. And as our parents get older, they might need help. While every situation is different, it can be challenging to know the right approach to take when supporting them through their golden years. Here are a few practices to keep in mind: Always...

When a loved one passes away, it often is an emotional and chaotic time. It’s also a time when you might be called upon to make a number of weighty financial decisions. Would you know what to do if you found yourself in that situation? If you’re not certain — or would just like to...

If part of your 2020 resolution includes spending more time with your girlfriends, it turns out that it could mean more than just a boost to your social life. It might have perks for your health as well. According to Stanford University and UCLA, studies have shown that during times of stress, women experience the...

“Have couple friends, and do fun outings with them.” “Make sure you have a core group of girlfriends.” “Make play dates for your kids. Join a ‘mommy and me’ group.” We have so many people offering us this advice — not to mention the social media feed of happy couples doing happy things all of...

For more than 50 years, a group of women with ties to the former Nativity School in Dubuque have regarded one another as not just friends, but family. “We’ve all been such close friends since we were in the fourth or fifth grade at Nativity, it’s like we’re sisters,” said Liz Thor. “Some of us...

Wolves travel in packs in order to insure care and to defend their territory — not unlike one local group of women who have had each other’s backs since the late 1990s and early 2000s. Known by their husbands as the Wolf Pack, the group is approximately 16 members strong. They have organized annual girls...

It’s a BFF match made in cyberspace. Amanda Miller, 31, is a patient services representative at Grand River Medical Group in Dubuque. She loves opera, Broadway show music and watching “Gilmore Girls.” Jutta Ebbertz is a 23-year-old ballerina and a student at the University of Cologne in Germany. She also loves opera, Broadway show music...

Once upon a time, wedding registries were created so newlyweds would have all the basic essentials to establish their first home. But as technology has evolved, so too has the registry. Gone are the days where registries only include dishware and candlesticks. Couples can now incorporate modern must-haves, like connected light bulbs, voice assistants and...

Looking back 10 years, we met love in a completely different way than we do today. Dating apps, social media and video calls have made it much easier for us to meet new people. Our dating habits are, as many other things, changing in time. Experts from the global dating app happn have predicted the...

On one particularly uneventful day, Elizabeth Pape looked out her window from her sofa to find a group of women sprinting up and down her street. “They’d run to the stop sign, turn around, run back,” she said. “I was like, ‘What are these girls doing?’” Leading the pack was the petite Krissy Mueller, a...

The word empathy is receiving a lot of attention. Educators list empathy as a 21st Century skill that is essential to instill in children today. Empathy can be defined as the ability to deeply connect with others by looking at the world through their eyes in order to understand their thoughts, feelings, and actions. In...

So, you have the ring. What’s next? Dress shopping, of course. Although finding the perfect dress might seem like a tough task, local bridal consultants have advice for brides on the hunt for their ideal wedding gowns. Sherrie Keating, owner of Cheryl-Ann Bridals & Tuxedos in Dubuque, assured there are many styles and silhouettes for...

Pounding the pavement for a cause is what united a group of Dubuque women who represent different walks of life and ages spanning 29 to 54 years. “I think it started with one person just bringing another person they knew who might like to try running,” said Britney Ross, whose aunt, Ann Schroeder, also runs...

When six local women get together, it’s always over good conversation and, occasionally, even better food. “When we get together, it’s always to talk and laugh over good food,” said Susan Hellert. “And when the food is really good, you know it because that’s when we stop talking.” Kindred spirits since sharing classes like home...

Around this time of year, when Valentine’s Day is all the buzz and everyone is making date plans, it can be difficult not to feel left out of all the romantic gestures and special gifts. However, you don’t need to be in a romantic relationship to be able to celebrate the day. Friends and family...

In the era of social media, online dating and Netflix and chill there are few pleasures as tactile and satisfying as entertaining. Whether it’s a couple of friends and a bottle of wine or a couple dozen and a homemade antipasto bar, there is a world of face-to-face fun out there just waiting to get...