I really enjoy officiating weddings. Just last weekend I married the daughter of some good friends that I have known for many years. The great thing about weddings, is that everyone is generally in a good mood. However, even as fun as weddings are, I don’t take marrying a couple lightly because remember, with marriage there is a “lifelong commitment” that must never be taken lightly. For many couples though, this lifelong commitment falls far short of the “for richer for poorer, for better for worse, to death do us part.”
All of this had me thinking this week about why so many couples struggle after the wedding bliss is over- the joining of two people with all the ups and downs that come in each relationship. One answer is that many couples stop caring and they put their time and energies into other things.
We probably can all agree that we bring our own personalities, expectations, quirks, and unique styles of communicating love into a marriage, and every marriage needs some TLC now and then to keep it healthy and help it to thrive.
Like I told the couple I married last week, since you are committing to get married and you are willing to assume all the ups and downs that come with this decision, why not do everything you can to make it the best marriage possible over the long run. Who wants to be miserable and married long-term?
So here are some choices you can make to help keep your marriage healthy and thriving for many years to come – as long as of course you apply what you read!!!
6 Ways to Keep Your Marriage Healthy After the Wedding
#6 Be Present – Engage in your relationships ups and downs. Learn from them and change what is not working. Don’t be afraid of disagreements and enjoy the journey. Remember you are in this together!
#5 Forgive – Forgiveness means that we don’t punish others for past mistakes, but we also can understand that healthy people will seek to change if they hurt us.
#4 Be Vulnerable – This one can be the hardest of all. Being vulnerable can mean accepting love even if you were taught you don’t deserve it; or letting your partner in with a struggle you are having.
#3 Expect the Best – Assume the best about your partner and hear them out in a patient communication style to keep defenses down and communication flowing.
#2 Be Flexible – Every day is new, so keep being flexible with each other’s needs and preferences to keep things strong and fit in your marriage.
#1 Keep Having Fun – Whether it’s chasing each other around the house or planning a vacation away from it all, keep having fun in both the little ways and the big through each year.
What about you? I’d love to hear from newly married folks and from those of you who have a few years under your belt. Anyone been married more than four decades? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave me a comment below!
If our weekly blog is something that blesses you, we always appreciate help with getting the word out about Centurion’s Watch. Share this post with your friends and family, and let’s grow our community.
Your Virtual Life Mentor,
Doug