Fifty percent of all marriages in America end in divorce. Over thirty-two years ago my wife and I made a covenant with one another that we would not become one of the statistics. It took a lot of commitment and hard work, but through experience, we found the keys to having a successful marriage. In the following you will learn a step by step process for a happy and thriving marriage:
1. Keep the Honey in the Honeymoon
Remember what you did when you first tried to win your mate’s attention and love. Did you go on frequent dates? Did you call and check on your mate three or four times a day? Did you send flowers on a regular basis? Did you enjoy going on long walks with your mate? Whatever you did to win your mates affection in the first place should be repeated throughout your marriage. Life gets complicated, but you cannot lose sight of the romantic tactics you first used to win her or him. I have interviewed several older couples that boast of being married over fifty years. Their secret is keeping the honey in the honeymoon. They never stopped doing what they did in the first place to win each other’s love.
2. Find Objects or Places that Trigger Old Feelings of Romanticism
It may be a certain perfume that she wore when dating. It may be a special Cologne that he wore. Those colognes or perfumes may no longer be manufactured. Try looking on EBay. There is an old Cologne called “High karate” that was a favorite in my younger days. To my surprise, I found High Karate being sold on EBay. It may be a little more expensive to order and old favorite, but the romantic memories it produces will be worth it.
There may be a special restaurant you frequented when dating. If the place still exists, plan a date and go stir up some memories. The small college campus where I met my wife still looms in my mind after thirty-two years. I could go there now and stir feelings of love for my wife all over again. It is where we first kissed. It is where we got engaged. Places play a significant role in renewing relationships.
3. Learn to Make Time for One Another
Providing for children can be a daunting task. Do not let children get in the way of your intimate relationship with your spouse. I have heard parents say that their children are everything. They live for their children. This sounds good, but couples should keep their relationship first place. Children need to understand that mom and dad need time together. Don’t feel guilty about hiring a baby sitter once or twice a week. Your relationship to one another supersedes your relationship to your children. One day your children will be adults. They will have their own families and you and your spouse will only have each other. Many marriages end in divorce after all the children leave the nest. Why? Because mom and dad lived for their children and failed to cultivate their own romantic relationship. When children witness their parents making time for one another, they will feel secure and happy. They will desire to repeat the process with their own mates some day