Reaching 100 blog posts on DecideToCommit.com is more than an achievement in consistency. It is a celebration of growth, discovery, collaboration, and the shared belief that research should not remain confined to academic journals. Nearly a decade ago, this project began with a simple intention. My goal was to create a place where rigorous scholarship about romantic relationships, commitment, and emerging adulthood could be translated for the public in accessible and meaningful ways. That vision has guided every step of this journey.
From early articles exploring relationship decision making to more recent posts on topics such as soulmate thinking, relational forgiveness, and the role of friendship in sustaining long‑term commitment, the blog has remained rooted in high‑quality research and a commitment to service. These 100 posts collectively represent years of curiosity and thousands of conversations about what helps relationships thrive.
The Research Team: The Heart of the Journey
At the center of this work is my Research Team at Northern Illinois University. One of the most meaningful parts of my academic career has been working alongside undergraduate and graduate students in Human Development and Family Sciences who are deeply invested in research and learning. Together, we collaborate on long‑term projects that directly inform many of the topics featured on this blog.
Over time, this group has become more than a research team. It has become a community. Students bring their insights, questions, and passion into our shared work, contributing to peer‑reviewed publications and public scholarship alike. Our research has addressed emerging relationship trends, including the “just talking” phenomenon in romantic relationships, and that work has shaped many of the conversations featured here.
Learning Beyond the Classroom: Conferences and Shared Adventures
Presenting our work at conferences has long been one of the most formative parts of our research team experience. These opportunities have allowed students to step beyond the classroom and into the broader scholarly community, where they can see their ideas taken seriously and learn what it means to participate in academic dialogue.
Over the years, our team has presented research at state, national, and professional conferences, including meetings of the Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood, the International Association for Relationship Research, and the Illinois Council on Family Relations. These experiences have taken us to Washington, D.C., Boston, San Diego, and South Carolina, as well as to conferences hosted closer to home in Illinois. Each venue offered students a different window into the field and a chance to engage with scholars who care deeply about relationships, development, and family life.
What stands out most in looking back at these conference experiences is how much growth happened along the way. Students prepared posters and papers, practiced responding to questions, and learned to articulate their research with confidence. For many, these were first professional presentations, and the pride that followed was unmistakable. Conferences became spaces where mentorship came alive, where students learned to navigate nerves, celebrate accomplishment, and envision themselves as future scholars and professionals.
These trips were never just about presenting findings. They were about shared meals, long conversations, early mornings, and reflecting together after sessions ended. They strengthened our sense of team and reminded us that research is not a solitary pursuit, but a relational one.
As we prepare for an upcoming international conference in Scotland, I am reminded of how meaningful these shared experiences have been across the years. From Washington, D.C. to San Diego and now beyond, conferences have marked milestones not only in our research program, but in the lives of the students who made that work possible.
Continuing the Work Through COVID
One of the most defining seasons of this journey occurred during the COVID years. When classrooms closed and uncertainty disrupted nearly every aspect of higher education, our research team continued its work with resilience and determination. Meetings shifted online, coding sessions took place over video calls, and collaboration continued despite physical distance.
What might have halted progress instead strengthened our sense of purpose. Students continued analyzing data from their homes. Manuscripts moved forward. New research questions emerged. Even in isolation, we found ways to stay connected and engaged. The blog became an anchor during that time, offering continuity, structure, and meaning when much felt uncertain.
Looking back, the perseverance shown during those years stands as one of the team’s proudest accomplishments. It was not an easy time keep the blog afloat and continue our research. I appreciate the dedication of the team during this period of time.
A Decade of Evolution and Purpose
The first 100 posts on DecideToCommit.com mirror the evolution of my broader research program at Northern Illinois University. My scholarly work spans commitment development, romantic relationship formation, emerging adult decision making, and marriage and family therapy theory. These interests shape many of the insights shared with readers and reflect the research foundations that guide this blog.
What ties the blog together is a focus on helping people understand the science behind commitment. My research team and I explore the nuances of how relationships form, grow, strengthen, and sometimes struggle. Each blog post reflects my belief that knowledge can be transformative, not only for students and scholars, but also for couples, families, and individuals navigating the complexity of modern relationships.
A Sentimental Reflection on the First 100 Posts
When I reflect on the past nine years, what stands out most is not just the content of the posts, but the people behind them. The students who brought curiosity and dedication to the work. The colleagues who collaborated on manuscripts and ideas. The readers who returned to the blog seeking insight, clarity, and encouragement.
Each post represents a chapter in a much larger story. It is a record of mentorship, teamwork, persistence, and shared discovery. The travel, the conference presentations, the work accomplished during COVID, and the countless hours spent engaging with data all speak to something deeper than research output alone. This blog is ultimately about relationships. The relationships we study. The relationships we build. And the relationships strengthened through shared purpose.
Looking Ahead
As DecideToCommit.com enters its next chapter, this milestone serves as both a celebration and an invitation. It honors the teamwork, scholarship, and commitment that brought the blog to 100 posts, while also pointing toward what lies ahead.
There are new questions to explore, new studies to conduct, and new students to mentor. There are new cities to visit, new conferences to attend, and new opportunities to continue sharing research in ways that matter. The heart of this project remains unchanged. It is rooted in the belief that thoughtful, research‑informed insight can help people build stronger, healthier, and more intentional relationships.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Here is to the next 100 posts and the work that continues.
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I am an associate professor at Northern Illinois University in Human Development and Family Sciences, and a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. As a researcher I am interested in commitment in couple relationships, romantic relationship formation, marriage, and decision-making in the emerging adult (18-29 year-old) population.
