MARRIAGE MONDAYS: July 2007

July 2, 2007 will be our SECOND-ever MARRIAGE MONDAY. I hope that you will choose to participate by thinking about a way that you can go out of your way to do something GOOD FOR YOUR MARRIAGE OR RELATIONSHIP on Monday. Don't stop there though - keep the ball rolling and open yourself to the possibilities of relationship bliss, all week long!

It is always great to hear from people who's marriages have lasted the test of time. I found THESE tips (below) from pair of experts on the Internet who interviewed just such people!

Have a great Marriage Monday everyone and PLEASE send details on what you plan to do, what you did, or both!!!

Why Relationships Last

In talking with couples who have been married for many years, these aspects of marriage (not listed in any type of priority) are listed as necessary for a long lasting marriage.

Continue to build intimacy -- both sexually and emotionally -- throughout your marriage.
Create passion for life and for one another.
Continue to be committed to each other and celebrate your sense of commitment.
Like one another and be friends with each other.
Have fun together, laugh together, and use humor in healthy ways.
Comfort, encourage, and affirm one another.
Be able to stand on your own feet as a couple and not be dependent either financially or emotionally on either of your parents.
Respect one another's need for privacy and space.
Parent together.
Deal with a crisis and adversity together.
Fight fair.

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SOME IDEAS FOR MARRIAGE MONDAYS:

• Cook his/her favorite meal, make it a surprise!
• Book a babysitter and plan a dinner out.
• Send a nice note in his/her work bag or lunch.
• Call part way through the day and tell him/her that you miss him/her or were thinking about him/her.
• Take on a household chore that your spouse would usually need to get done on Mondays.
• If there is something that you have been "bugging" about, don't mention it on Marriage Monday!

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[June 30th/07 11:55pm]

Update: I have signed up on behalf of all of us for:

10 WEEKS TO A BETTER MARRIAGE!

Yippie - this is week ONE :)

Week 1: Talk About Your Expectations

Unrealistic Expectations Have to be Faced
Everyone has expectations. However, unrealistic expectations will end up being direct paths to disappointment and unhappiness in your marriage. These include having false expectations, believing in the myths about marriage, thinking that someone else can make you happy, trying to read one another's mind, wanting to do everything together, and wanting to have a perfect marriage. When these are not identified or verbalized, they can create great barriers in your marriage. Hopefully, your expectations will include being able to lovingly resolve conflicts, to appreciate your differences as individuals, to respect and cherish one another, and to be able to discuss values and priorities.