My son Cory is getting married. It’s hard to believe. My husband and I adore our soon to be daughter-in-law, Katie. Cory picked a winner! With my joy there is also an underlying anxiousness. Marriage is HARD. Being marriage to John has been more wonderful than I ever dreamed and harder than I ever thought.
So, for Cory and Katie, here is some advice:
Send each other off with a 20-second kiss every morning.
Greet each other with a welcome kiss after every work day, even if that means putting down the paper or turning off the television.
If you feel cranky, that is not a time to talk about the things the other person does that bother you—even if those things are in the forefront of your mind at that moment.
Talk about your expectations. Do you expect a home cooked meal every night or is pizza and TV dinners okay? Do you want to spend Saturday evenings with your parents? Do you like your socks folded a certain way? Would you like one night a week to go out with friends?
Spend time with God alone and together. Find a special time for you to connect with God. Design a time when you can come before Him together. Read 1-2 chapters from the Bible each day. Take a few minutes to pray for each other.
Think about one thing you can do that will put a smile on your spouse’s face that day. Then do it.
If your spouse asks you to do something for him/her, write it down. Then do that too.
Do not talk bad about your spouse to your friends or your parents … even if he/she has really made you mad. You will have an easy time forgiving your spouse, those other people will have a harder time.
Keep your thoughts pure. Guard your mind and your heart.
Have fun! Do the same things you did when you were dating. Laugh. Play. Love.
Great advice. You will be a precious MIL to Katie. May God bless their marriage.
wonderful advice!!
They look so happy together. Congrats to them.
Tricia, where were you when I *was* married? I could have definitely used this information. Second-time around? I’m bookmarking this. Great advice.