1. The little things matter
Every little thing you do to your spouse slowly adds up. So all of the little mistakes and the hurtful words, those all add up and will cause problems later on in your marriage. That's why it's important to 'invest' in love so that as the years go by, it all adds up to ensure that you have a happy and wonderful marriage.
2. Make an effort
This is a common complaint from people who have been married for a long time. As the years go by, you get more and more comfortable with each other, and you make less of an effort in your marriage since you're confident in your relationship.
But in reality, marriage is a constant work in progress. There's no end goal when it comes to a marriage, since every day, you need to work on how you can improve your relationship; and there's always something that you can do better.
3. Don't expect perfection
There's no such thing as a perfect marriage. People have flaws, and all marriages have problems. But that's no excuse to stop trying. Always make room for improvement, and know that even if things aren't perfect, the important thing is that you're happy in your marriage.
4. Mix things up
Get a little crazy sometimes! Pick up your spouse from work, and go dancing in a club. Or for more traditional folk, you can surprise your significant other with a nice dinner reservation at their favorite restaurant.
Surprises are always welcome in a marriage.
5. Be fair
It's normal for couples to fight and argue, that's a part of how relationships are. However, you shouldn't use fights as an excuse to bring up past grievances or use it to take revenge on your spouse. Be fair, and don't hold grudges in your marriage. Grudges only serve to prolong the hurt, and it's always best to let go.
6. There's a time and place for everything
If you're stressed out, don't try and pick a fight with your wife. If you want to talk about serious matters, don't do it in front of the TV, or tinker around on your phone while your husband is having a serious conversation with you.
There's always a time and place for everything, and it's important that when you're discussing serious matters, your head is clear and free from any distractions.
7. Always listen
Listening is the one thing that most couples forget in a marriage. Listening and understand what your spouse is trying to say can save you a lot of headaches, and lets you prevent a lot of fights. Communication is important in a marriage, and communication helps build trust and strengthens your bond as a couple.
Source: rd.com
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