Outside of communication, the ability to resolve problems is the second most important part of marriage. Having the same values allows for better understanding when working on the big issues — such as how to raise the children.
Sometimes you have to put in the majority of what’s needed in the relationship. Other times, your partner will put in more. This is called teamwork. And it takes teamwork to make the dream work.
Don’t worry if you will continue being attracted to your partner 5, 10, or 15 years in the future. According to a recent study I read about couples married for 30 years, most reported being more attracted to their spouse now than at the time of their wedding. (No wonder that Viagra is seeing explosive growth in their 55-65 year old age bracket.)
Ninety-nine percent of the people you know will gossip about your marriage. Keep your personal business between you and your spouse and that gossip will have zero impact.
It’s very destructive and dangerous to compare your spouse to other people (or worse, celebrities and public figures). Don’t do it, ever.
I’ll never forget someone telling me (just days before my wedding), “man, you’re getting ready to check out, you’re reaching the finish line.” He couldn’t have been further from the truth. Marriage is the start of another incredible journey in life, not an ending to your happy story.
All relationships (romantic and platonic) live and die based on the strength of communication. This is one area that should be honed prior to marriage.
According to numerous national sex surveys, both married men and women report having higher satisfaction and more frequent sex than singles.
When I tell people I’ve been married for 10 years, I get all kinds of congratulations but I’m never asked about the quality of those years. Society is obsessed with “how long” we do certain things. It is more important to focus on soaring as high as possible together.
Straying emotionally or physically from a relationship typically happens when one partner becomes complacent. Keeping your marriage fresh and exciting should be your motto.
Marriage is not simply the joining of two people, it’s the merger of two families and legacies. Treat it as such.
If someone tells you they never argue with their spouse, send them back to the insane asylum. Real couples fight. Great couples fight fair.
Despite what R&B tells us, becoming parents isn’t as simple as “let’s go half on a baby.” Bringing a child into a marriage will test every strand of your relationship. Be sure your marriage is strong, before even thinking about a baby.
