Marriage Life

Every marriage matters, because every marriage comes from the hand of God. God brings a man and a woman together to love and support each other. Their love becomes visible in their treatment of each other and in their acts of generous service.

Secrets To A Loving, Lasting Marriage 

These real-life couples have been in the marriage trenches and they're still laughing, smiling, having a ball. Here, their secrets to making love last for the long haul.
"We're best friends. You really have to like each other to last. When the sex becomes less important you better enjoy doing things together (while still doing things apart). We drive for days to car shows sometimes. So we better like each other." Ralph has been married to Teresa for 17 years.
"A key to success was my willingness to give up the home decor I had brought into our relationship. This included my neon-light beer signs, a Jethro Tull poster, a bedroom set collected from at least four non-matching sources, a bamboo sofa, a brick-and-wood bookcase and a roll-top desk from my youth." Steve has been married to Barbara for 24 years (Irvine, CA ). Move In Together, Fight-Free

"We made a pact to never fight about money. Financial problems lead to divorce. We didn't want our relationship to deteriorate over something as inconsequential as money. We've been through financial ups and downs, including bouts of unemployment and significant credit-card debt. But we never cast blame and remain calm during financial discussions." Lisa and Brian celebrate 12 years in June.
"Never discuss sensitive subjects when hungry or tired. And eat marshmallows to improve communication. What's the one thing you can't possibly do with a mouthful of marshmallows? Talk. Communication is more about listening than talking. I tell my wife, if something I say can be interpreted two ways and one of those ways makes you sad or angry, I meant the other one." Steven has been married to Sheryl for 20 years (Longwood, FL).
"I once read in an old book on marriage: 'Always treat your husband as an honored guest in your home.' In other words, be on your best behavior. This has rubbed off on me and he reciprocates. It works! My own saying about marriage is: 'A good marriage is made up of a thousand small kindnesses.'" Trudy has been married to Paul for 35 years (Yuma, AZ).
"We purposely sit next to each other on the couch each night. My father told me to be sure to do this when I got married. It makes it impossible not to physically touch each other!"

"Always find things to laugh about. Laugh together. Times are tough. Tragedy happens in all families. Things will go wrong. But if you find ways to laugh about "it" you'll form a special bond and can overcome anything!" Dawn has been married to Tony for 32 years (SanFrancisco, CA).

"Couples should have separate bathrooms. It's not a luxury to have one place in the house that you don't share. Forty-five years of hearing your partner gurgle his way through the theme song to Bill Dance's fishing show is guaranteed to start you off in a bad mood. There's nothing romantic about watching your hubby dearest attack the hairs in his ears or yank out an offending nose hair. His scream is guaranteed to send chills down your spine, and put off your hunger for that yummy meal he's cleaning up for." Connie has been 

married to Fred for 44 years (Bellevue, NE).
"Remember: Women want to be loved and cherished. Men want to feel respected....even more than they want to feel loved. This may sound odd but it's true. Don't emasculate your man. Don't take your woman for granted. Life gets messy, boring and stressful. Your marriage will have seasons when it's stronger or when it feels anemic. Whatever you did in the early days that made you laugh together, make time to do those same things after 10, 20 or 30 years. Read to each other from a favorite funny book. Watch a favorite funny movie." Judy has been married to Jeff for 22 years.

"Keep a date night. Since we married we've maintained one night a month to go out as a couple. When our children were infants (under 6 months) we'd take them along, we didn't just sit in the house. It doesn't have to be just you two. Go with other adults or couples. This allows you to have adult conversation and keeps you from hashing over household problems. Unless you have a baby under 6 months, no children allowed. Don't discuss problems or major issues. The activity doesn't have to be expensive. Have a club room in your apartment building? Host a pot-luck for some friends.You won't have to worry about cleaning for company!" Paula has been married to Dan for 26 years (Athens, AL). Recession Romance Ideas
"Each person should seek to do good for the other person, instead of fighting over 'what about me.' Then the experience is one where each person is giving and serving the other. A win-win solution." Dave has been married to Rose for 32 years (Roseville, CA).

"Facing adversity together has keept us together. Concern for our children has also been a strong force. Once you have grandchildren, the family bond is greatly reinforced." Chuck has been married to Marilyn for 41 years (Richmond, VA).

"Our main clue for newlyweds is to plan forward, and to look back only to the good times. Everybody has their rough spots, but if everything is focused on past hard times, your marriage can become like an albatross. Remember and revel in your successes. Ignore the times when you failed. Don't look at problems to place blame, only to find solutions. Love is like a boomerang, throw it at your spouse and you'll find it coming right back at you." Don has been married to Estelle for 50 years in July (Sacramento, CA).

"In the toughest times couples need to remember why they got together in the first place. Put your relationship first. Be open and flexible to change. Adapt. These tidbits sound ordinary but we've seen so many relationships break up because one or both partners refused to do these 'common sense' things." Maria has been married to Mark for 24 years (Raleigh, NC).
"Divorce is not an option – not to be thought about, said aloud, considered as an answer to a problem. Almost all problems are short-term. Divorce is a long-term answer. And if money becomes an issue, get counseling immediately.  It’s not the green stuff, it’s the values that generate issues and cause arguments." Charlene has been married to Rick for 18 years (Georgetown, IN).
"Key word of advice for a long, happy marriage: If you marry a Jewish man, you must always have separate bathrooms. There are pleanty of co-ed spa opportunities to take advantage of—jacuzzis or champagne bubble baths a deux—at resorts where you can (as P . Diddy says) keep the sexy." Gail has been married to Matthew for 14 years (New York, NY).

"We are both left-handed. That was one of my criteria in getting married. Our three children are unfortunately handicapped—right handed." David has been married to Dee Dee for 25 years (Memphis, TN).
"Be passionate, supportive and accepting of what the other person is doing in their personal life. We knew it was important to still be individuals. We each had things we wanted to get done personally. We wanted our work goals not just supported but understood and facilitated. It hasn't always been easy. My husband put up with my two rounds of higher education and five startup companies. Today, I put him on a plane for a tour of duty in Iraq. I might not personally believe in sending troops overseas but I believe in him and know this is important to him." Julie has been married to Mark for 15 years (West Linn, Oregon).

"Forget your old 'best' friends. You have a new best friend now. Make sure to have 'your time.'" Rick has been married to Jenn for 14 years (Arlington, MA).

"What is most important for a long-term marriage is knowing yourself before you marry." Nancy has been married to Don for 16 years (Temecula, CA).

"Dump friends, family and situations which have a negative effect on your life and marriage—and expect your spouse to do the same. Keep your sex life interesting. Listen to each other's fantasies. Do not be afraid to dress and act sensual in the bedroom. And plan exciting vacations together." Beverly has been married to Pablo for 33 years (Lampasas, TX).

"Mind your manners. Too often we show more respect to strangers than to those we love. Parents often expect manners from their kids but don't use them with each other. 'Please hand me that plate' is kinder, gentler than 'Hand me that.' Would you, could you, please, sorry, these are magic words. They're not just for dating." LaRita has been married to Kurt for 27 years (Indian Shores, FL).
 
"We are about as different as a couple can get. But rather than be irritated by our differences, we revel in them. We find each other's foibles endlessly amusing, much like watching exotic animals in a zoo. Not a day goes by without my laughing so hard I cry, at my husband's making fun of something I'm doing. We tease each other a lot. It's never mean-spirited. And we're both psychiatrists to boot!" Doreen has been married to Tim for 20 years (Boulder, CO).

"We took a lot of trips without our children and both feel this has made all the difference in the world. We had friends who judged us for leaving our kids so often. They are now divorced." Becky has been married to Jay for 26 years (Twin Cities, MN).

"Share a common dream. When couples have that, every bump in the road is on the way to somewhere that matters. Without the dream, every bump in the road is a mountain to climb over. Finding your dharma, or what your unique service is to the planet, creating a larger context of meaning in life, puts the little stuff in perspective and makes it easy to process." Lanny has been married to Christine for 23 years (Albuquerque, NM).

"If you're in it for life, you're both going to do a lot of growing up and maturing over the years—you have to stay intimately in touch with each other's growth over all this time or you end up not knowing the person you're married to as he/she changes over the years." Ann has been married to Dean for 25 years (Slidell, LA).

  Happy marriage after babies

Pinky McKay, Melbourne-based parenting doyenne, mum of five and author of Parenting By Heart (Penguin), says having a baby is one of the biggest tests your marriage will face. “Having a baby is probably the greatest adjustment a couple could experience. It amazes me how much effort people put into planning for a baby on a practical level, but often don’t even consider how much their relationship will change with a baby – all the frozen casseroles in the world can’t prepare you for the lack of time, sleep and the hormonal chemistry of new parenthood.” Here’s her advice for a happy marriage after babies:

Make sure you’re supported

If you're pregnant, start preparing now for a supported birth to really protect your relationship post-birth.  Pinky says making sure you feel supported during the birth can help shield your relationship by preventing feelings of being let down if your partner hasn't fulfilled all your expectaions during labour and birth. “I feel it’s important, especially for first births, to have a support person, such as your own midwife (you can hire an independent midwife even if you have a hospital birth) or a doula, as well as your partner. The support person can do so many little things to make your birth easier without intruding on your partner experience,” she says.

Change your sex life

Women and men are wired very differently – a new mother can be totally consumed with baby care all day (and night) – and might want to cuddle and feel nurtured without it ending in sex, or she may simply feel ‘ all touched out’ after giving so much of her body to the baby. Conversely, reveals Pinky, the guy’s way of feeling close is to have sex. As this is where things can break down, communication and understanding are key to intimacy. “Guys are more likely to get lucky if they help with baby care – settling, rocking, bathing are great ways to share – or cooking and cleaning up so she will have time to share ‘the love’ without feeling stressed about all the things that need doing,” she advises. “Guys – think of ‘doing dishes’ as foreplay!”

Allow yourself to have those post-birth feelings 

Childbirth can sometimes colour your relationship with your partner and how you feel about intimacy. “From flashbacks, to people doing vaginal exams during labour, to fear of pain or, on the other hand, feelings of power and strength if the woman felt supported - how she perceives her partner’s strength and support will colour how she feels about him too,” says Pinky, adding that she’s spoken to couples where the partner feels responsible for things that have gone ‘wrong’.” Talk to your partner if this is the case, and seek professional help if your feelings have changed.

Come to terms with your ‘new’ body

Your body is going through a new life stage on producing a baby, so give yourself time to get used to your post-baby figure without expecting to spring back like a supermodel. “Body image can greatly affect how ‘sexy’ a woman feels after having a baby – wobbly bits and leaking can be a shock to many women, and media images of celebs who have amazing after-baby bodies aren’t helpful,” says Pinky.

Have a date night

While caring for your baby might be all-consuming, it’s important to nurture your relationship, too, by giving it quality time. “If you want ‘together time’ you may have to plan ahead – mark a ‘date night’ on the calendar even if this means a video and takeaway at home,” advises Pinky. “Or you can enjoy being spontaneous - you don’t only have to make love in bed at night time.”

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Consider help with practical things such as hiring a cleaner, a gardener or dog walker, and don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for help to relieve the strain on your life and your relationship. “You are not imposing - everyone feels privileged to share the joy of a baby,” says Pinky.

Have your own savings fund

Statistically, money is the greatest source of arguments for all couples – however much you have, so Pinky advises planning ahead and saving some money for yourself before you have your baby. “It can be difficult to ask your partner for money when you have always been financially independent,” she explains. “Partners don’t always see the value of a latte with mums’ group or a mummy yoga class; many don’t appreciate the cost of nappies and basic household groceries when you are reduced to a single income, but will rummage in your purse for parking money as they leave for work! Again, communication is key.”

Find some me-time

If you feel all worn out from giving all day, you can’t expect to feel excited about your relationship: you need to keep loving yourself in little ways so that you have good energy and loving feelings for your partner. “It’s important to find ‘me’ time as well as couple time,” says Pinky. “It can be good to stick a reminder on your fridge of things you can do in a few minutes – from painting your toenails to making a pot of tea. If you are at home with a small baby, watch a DVD while you feed, call a friend or check emails while baby has a kick on the floor, walk in the sunshine while baby sleeps in the pram or a sling, or join a mum and bub exercise or yoga group.” Your relationship and you will both benefit from it.