Marriage Tips from around the world   Marriage is made in Heaven but so is Thunder and Lightning Selfishness has no place in marriage. Marriage means "one" & "union". There will be days when you don't get what you want. Patience is a virtue that takes years to learn. Getting married is easy. It's fun, it's a big party! Staying married..... now that's another matter! Especially with all the stresses of living in our times. Being married and raising a family takes an enormous amount of energy. It's the hardest thing I've ever done. The first two years are critical. Most marriages breakup during in this period. They haven't yet figured out: Give and Take! Tips for a Successful Marriage Be BEST FRIENDS. You must have shared goals and dreams. Life is so much easier if you're going in the same direction. Have you ever made a "Life's Plan" together? It's like mapping out a road trip, except the hotel turns out to be your house and there's no room service. Never go to bed mad at each other. It's a cliche, but it's true. Harboring resentments against your spouse is like cutting off your own nose to spite your face. Try to find something positive about your spouse, instead of harping on bad traits. Say "I love you" everyday. What's the first thing people say when they lose a loved one? "I wish I could have told him that I loved him one last time." Regular mathematics do NOT apply in marriage. Two halves do not become a "whole". Two wholes become a whole. It only works when 100% of you gives 100% to him/her. If you're giving 50%, you're only giving half of yourself. That, and 1 + 1 = 5. <G> Give each other space to each do your own thing. Really! Jealousy has no place in a marriage. It was fun while you're a teenager, but it's time to grow up! Trust, Trust, Trust! Hint: Figure out if you trust the other person before you tie the knot. People DO NOT CHANGE. Make time to go out without the kids. Laugh a lot! Humor goes a long way. When you're having a bad hair day, try to remember "why" you are together. Remember back to when you fell in love. We never forget that, do we? Don't Nag! Nobody likes a nag. Nag is a bad word, it rhymes with Hag, Rag and Bag. To Men - Old saying: "The best thing you can do for your children is to love their mother." Raising children takes total teamwork. Especially if they out number you! Don't waste precious years with the mistaken belief that you can "change" or "save" anyone. You can't change anyone. Deal with that now. How easy is it to change yourself? R-e-s-p-e-c-t. MUTUAL Respect. Where's Aretha when you need her? Keep relationship problems private. The world does not need to know. Trashing your partner is a reflection of who you are. After all, you chose em'!

"What God has put together,
......let no man put asunder."