Someone said Adam and Eve had the perfect marriage:

• Eve never had to hear how good a cook him mother was.
• Adam never had to hear about all the men Eve could have married.
• Adam could honestly say Eve was the best looking woman in the world.
• Adam never went fishing with his pals.
• Eve mean it when she told him, “You’re the only ones for me.”
• They did not have to keep up with the neighbors.

But you and I don’t have such a luxury. We have to work on that “bwessed awwangment, that dweam wifin a dweam.” Below are some points on making a marriage happy that we shared yesterday at Central.  I had a few folks ask if I would share them here:

1. Hold Hands Often. In other words, just enjoy being together as you stand together against the world.
2. Say, “I Love You” Every Day. There is something comforting and almost magic about those words. Don’t be like the man whose wife asked, “Do yo still love me?” He replied, “I told you I loved you the day we got married, I’ll let you know if I change my mind.”
3. Never God to Sleep Angry at Each Other. Work out your disagreements. Learn to say you are sorry and to ask for forgiveness. Be willing and ready to forgive.
4. Help Each Other Grow. Focus on your growth toward each other and your spiritual growth in Christ.
5. Enjoy What is Good and Beautiful. It is so easy to forget all the wonderful things about your spouse that attracted you to them. It is too easy to begin focusing on the little negatives and let them grow in your mind. Learn to accentuate the positives and eliminated the negatives in your mind. Look for the best in each other.
6. Say “Thank You” Daily.  I know a couple married over 50 years and every meal I have had at their home I hear him say to his wife, “thank you for dinner.” Their grown children tell me that he has said that every meal for as long as they can remember. Say and show thanks for the help. love, and presence of your spouse.
7. Be the Right Person. Notice that I did not say find the one person God has for you – your soul-mate. I do not believe that there is only one person out there for you.  I think we work on ourselves to be the right person for our spouse. When both of us are pointed that direction our marriage will only get better.
8. Be Understanding. You husband is different from you. Your wife is not just like you. Celebrate the differences and learn the benefits of those differences. Be understanding of each other and learn to work as one.

What would you add?

-Scott

Bonus video: the Wedding Scene from The Princess Bride