09/08/2021
*MARRIAGE GOALS*
Today my parents celebrate 42 years of marriage. Isn’t that amazing? 👰 ⛪️ 💍
Some may ask, what’s the secret sauce to a successful marriage?
Truthfully, I don’t think there is a secret sauce. I remember once speaking to my dad about marriage and he said, “One of the biggest mistakes I hear is that marriage is 50/50. Instead, it should be 100/100.”
Growing up and even still now, I have always seen my parents put in the work. They are intentional about their time together, they laugh and joke around, and to this day, I’ve never seen them argue! Does’t mean they don’t disagree, but they value respecting each other’s needs and feelings even when they may not always agree or feel the same way.
Recently, I was the matron of honor at my best friends wedding and as a therapist, I felt it was important to share a few tips that I see help many couples we work with at E H Counseling. Here’s part of my speech:
“1. Laugh often. Research shows, that couples who laugh together have longer fulfilling marriages.
2. Forgive. Remember that you are both human and there will be times where you will feel disappointed in each other but that’s where communication kicks in. And it’s during these times that you can really learn and grow as a couple.
3. That brings me to my next tip: communicate. Remember to always be willing to actively listen to each other and be intentional about letting the other person know you heard them.
4. And lastly, the most important one of all, remember to always choose love. In marriage you will go through what I call wonderful seasons and challenging seasons, it is during those challenging seasons that you must remember to choose love. Even those days where you may not necessarily like each other, and every married person here has experienced 1 or 2 days like this.... remember to love. Remember that love is not just a feeling but rather a commitment. In the difficult seasons, lean into your marriage, invest in it, speak life into it, let God into it, and choose love.”
If you are struggling with your relationship and in need of support, please feel free to reach out to us at E H Counseling.