What about Tuesday, October 21st?

You've probably read in our blog profile my name is Allison Bridgewater and I'm having some "reset time" as I write this. 😉 October 21st represents a day of a normal day. Work, running around for the kids, taking a walk after work and then dinner. Yep, that was October 21st. 

Some of our loyal followers know that I had a back injury last year, October 22nd. It was horrendously bad with injuries to my spinal cord, fractured ribs, and a left lung collapse issue. Not only was I laid up from work for a few months, but more importantly it took a major toll on my family as you can imagine. 

I didn't even realize how much I just "took care" of things for our family without communicating what was being done behind the scenes. Paying bills (username/password access), cooking/cleaning, schedules for the kids, and the list goes on and on. My accident halted everything and with that came hundreds of questions of what to do/ how to do it. It wasn't anyone's fault but my own. 

Without getting into crazy, boring details of my accident I came up with a list of key communication factors to be having with your spouse/partner periodically throughout the year. I know this sounds basic in a relationship but after discussing with several people it was eye opening. "What if my husband is in the hospital after an accident for 3 months?" "What if my partner up and leaves me with all of the responsibilities of taking care of day-to-day things?"  

I like to call this list "Love Meets Logistics"!

1. Emergency Contacts & Medical Information

Both partners should have access to each other’s:

• Primary care doctor and specialists’ contact info

• Health insurance details (policy numbers, login info, etc.)

• Current medications, allergies, and medical history
  This ensures either partner can handle emergencies smoothly.

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2. Financial Accounts & Bill Payments

Share and update:

• Bank account information

• Bill due dates, auto-pay setups, and budgeting tools

• Online banking usernames/passwords (stored securely)
  That way, if one partner can’t handle finances temporarily, the other can step in seamlessly.

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3. Insurance Policies

Review all active policies together:

• Health, life, auto, home/renter’s, and disability

• Beneficiaries and coverage levels

• How to file a claim if needed
  Having this talk yearly avoids confusion and missed deadlines during stressful times.

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4. Legal Documents & Access

Both should know where to find:

• Wills, power of attorney, health directives

• Property deeds, vehicle titles, and tax returns

• Password manager or physical document storage location
  These conversations prevent chaos during crises or transitions.

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5. Household Management & Maintenance

Discuss who handles:

• Regular home maintenance (plumbing, lawn care, etc.)

• Utility contacts and service providers

• Home safety procedures (alarm codes, maintenance schedules)
  This ensures nothing critical falls through the cracks.

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6. Children’s Schedules & Care

Share full visibility into:

• School calendars, teachers’ contacts, and medical info

• Extracurricular schedules and emergency pickup plans

• Passwords for parent portals or online class systems
  This helps both parents stay coordinated and confident.

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7. Personal and Shared Schedules

Keep an updated overview of:

• Work commitments and travel plans

• Family events, vacations, and social obligations

• Quiet/down time to reconnect
  This helps reduce friction and keeps your partnership balanced.

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8. Subscriptions & Digital Accounts

List all important online subscriptions and services:

• Streaming services, apps, memberships

• Household utilities that are digitally billed

• Passwords and renewal reminders
  Small, but critical for keeping life running smoothly.

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9. Goals & Future Planning

Revisit yearly:

• Financial goals (savings, debt payoff, retirement)

• Home and lifestyle goals (relocation, remodeling, etc.)

• Family plans (education savings, healthcare planning)
  These talks help ensure both partners are rowing in the same direction.

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10. Emotional & Relationship Check-ins

Beyond logistics, regularly check in about:

• Stress levels, emotional needs, and communication habits

• What’s working well in the relationship — and what could improve

• Ways to keep your bond strong while managing life’s chaos
  This ensures you’re not just partners in planning, but partners in growth.

Ever since my accident I have been journaling in turn Sunrise to Sunset Health and Wellness was born. Just a few weeks ago almost a year after the crazy chapter in my/our life my husband asked if I could snag him a journal which he has been using surprisingly. I picked it up off of Amazon which you can take a look below. I haven't asked to read it; I am just proud he is getting thoughts out on paper. You'd be surprised how good it feels if you aren't already do so. 

Journal Book Found on Amazon👇