Love does not ensure that a marriage will remain loving, happy and committed. Commitment to creating a loving atmosphere in the home and patience with each other is vital to the growth of a marriage. Couples need to ensure that quality time is taken together. Both partners need to be willing to make the sacrifices necessary to guarantee that both husband and wife feel heard, loved and cherished.
Hug Everyday
A day should not go by where husband and wife do not hug each other. Life should not be allowed to get so busy that this simple gesture gets pushed aside. People enjoy feeling loved and touching another person is an excellent way to show affection. Spouses should take one minute, 60 seconds, in the bustle of the morning to hold one another and tell each other how much they mean to each other.
When husband and wife come home after a long day, they should hug each other before they start the rush to fix dinner and spend time with the children. Time spent cuddling on the couch connects spouses to each other. Quick hugs given while weekend brunch is being cooked are special to spouses. Hug often. Hug daily.
Forgive Often
Forgiveness is a powerful tool in a marriage. It is important that each spouse forgives the faults and mistakes of their partners. Perceived wrongs and resentment from the past should not be held onto. Residual anger from built up irritation should not be allowed to mar the happiness of the marriage.
This is not to say that there are not instances when anger is justified. There are. However, it is important that spouses deal with their negative feelings and put them behind them. The emotion and time spent on remaining angry would be much better served on working on the marriage and love.
Don’t Go to Bed Angry
Anger should be put aside before spouses go to bed. If the hurt is too deep to put aside, spouses should reassure each other of the love they hold deep inside. Acknowledgment of the love does not mean that anger is not justified, rather, it allows the angry spouse to put things into the perspective of the marriage. Going to be angry can cause a person to lose a fitful night of sleep.
Stick Together
All marriages have challenges. It is important that spouses stick together when times get rough. When under pressure, spouses should still take time to talk together. Instead of turning against each other, spouses should turn to each other. When the trial is over and the couple has left the valley, their marriage will be stronger and more lasting.
Date Night
Juggling the responsibility of children, work, housekeeping, religious and social obligations often crowds time that couples should spend together. Taking time to reconnect with each other deepens and strengthens relationships. Spouses should take a date once a week. No children allowed. If that is not possible, they should schedule weekends away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It is important that spouses remember why they fell in love. Doing so will remind them of why their relationship is so special.
Marriage More Important Than Wedding
Everyone remembers their wedding day. The memories of that day will always be special. Couples need to be careful that they do not get so caught up in the excitement of the wedding day that they forget the marriage. As much work should be put into the day to day life of the marriage as the preparation for the wedding. Couples who do this will see that their marriage works and that the rewards are worth the effort.
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