A Healthy Marriage

Being that I'm a graduate student in the field of psychology, I'm often asked one question in particular, "What do you think it takes to make a marriage work"? I truly wish I had all of the answers because at times this would make life so much easier but I don't. What I do know is that marriage takes a lot of work and sometimes it can be extremely difficult when the two of you disagree to the point of a complete battle getting ready to launch! Now I know I have only been married two years but Richie & I have been through a lot in these two years, perhaps more than some couples go through in ten or twelve years of marriage.

I would definitely have to say that the biggest thing to making a marriage work is to make sure you always have God in the middle. For us He is our true foundation and with a lot of prayer He gets us through each and every day. Another key to a healthy marriage is allowing the other person to be who they are. So many individuals are trying to try their mates a lot and thats not what marriage is all about. One thing I learned while going through marriage counseling is that your similiarities brought you together but your differences are what keeps you together. It's accepting the other person for who they are and loving them no matter what. Now changing to become a better person is an entirely different story. I believe God wants us to be the best that we can be but that's not what I'm talking about here. I'd have to say that another key to marraige is understanding. Sometimes just listening when someone had a bad day can really help especially when it's listening to your mate and being there for them. I think today with the hussle and bustle people forget to stop and really listen to their mate and that can cause hurt feelings and definitely not contribute to a happy healthy marriage. Anyways, heres to happy healthy marriages, may you find lasting love and happiness for many years to come. Also here's to a great couple of years with my hubby and many more to come. May God bless you all and may you take time to enjoy the special times!

~LF