Marriage advice...what is your secret to a happy marriage?

Question

I have asked this question to many people who are still happy together after 50 years, and the answers have ranged from being best friends with your spouse to never go to bed mad. What advice could you give to those about to be married?

Answer 1

My husband is my best friend. We tell each other EVERYTHING...no secrets. We are also very understanding with each other. If we are having a bad day..the other does not take offense to anything...a bad days happen. We keep the intimacy...lots of hugs and kisses, massages. We do not always have time for *dates* but after the girls go to sleep we will cuddle up to watch a movie...or even a television show...and we can turn even folding clothes to washing dishes into a date:)

Answer 2

Married 10 years so far. I believe the main ingredient for this happiness recipe is Love no doubt, ("Love is long-suffering and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails". 1 Corinthias 13:4-7) but am pretty sure the second most important would be forgiveness since we are all human there will be no perfect man or woman so if we learn to truly forgive our mistakes we'll be able to continue to a more calm relationship and make more certain decisions. Of course I learned this from the best who knows us all, the creator of marriage, God who gives us this good advises at his word; like he told to the first couple of this world: "That is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he must stick to his wife and they must become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24) This I understand when a couple made the decision to share a life together it means they're not alone anymore, they've become one, so they must feel the pain the other feels and that way they won't ever hurt each other. How nice is that, God really loves us!

Answer 3

We've been happily married 36 years, and I guarantee you, some of the key elements of a successful relationship - married or otherwise - are:

1) A long list of common interests; things you both enjoy doing TOGETHER as opposed to separate interests and separate groups of friends.

2) A lot of tolerance for each other's differences. As much as you share in common, you're still going to rub one another wrong from time to time. Be mature and deal with it. Separate the small $h!t from the serious stuff.

3) A sense of compromise; so that you can work out your problems with a minimum of emotional trauma. It's marital negotiation.

4) A sense of sympathy and forgiveness. You're both going to screw up on occasion. You need to be able to forgive, forget, and move on with the relationship.

Answer 4

I use to believe in a happy marriage for life. After 14 years, I have decided that marriage should only be in 5 year incremeants. The first 5 for me was great. Second 5, was where things went south. I probably wont make it to the end of the third 5! Should have ended it 9 years ago. Advice: Stay out of debt the first two years of Marriage.

Answer 5

Well, my husband and I have been together for 9 years but 8 years married. We are both on our second marriage. We have a very happy and loving relationship and have since the beginning.
What we have done from the beginning:

Flirt with each other very often.

Play and pick with each other.

Say silly things to make each other smile or laugh.

Complete and total honesty with one another.

Show affection always.

I don't know if this works for everyone but it sure works for us! We couldn't be happier.

Answer 6

There's lots of things that contribute to a successful marriage. First, you have to realize that no marriage is happy all the time. We are all human and our emotions range everyday. Second, you have to learn that a content marriage is what you seek, not a particular emotion. Third, marriage is more about being "humble" than it is about anything else. Learn to forgive, ask for forgivness, and not expect anything.

Answer 7

I was married 35 years to my husband until he died three years ago. yes we had ups and downs. no marriage is perfect. the trick is when you have problems to talk to each other and air out the problems instead of letting it go. also the husband is the head of the house. we cannot all be chief. the bible tells us what role each plays in the marriage. even children have a role in the family. also you have to be best friends. you also have to trust each other. I forgot to put into my answer. You have to have Jehovah God in your marriage, he knows best about marriage because he made the first marriage with Adam and Eve.

Answer 8

Communication and respect. However, for pieces of advice I have these:

1. Would you do what you are doing if your Spouse was standing right behind you and looking over your shoulder? No? Stop doing it, it is wrong. Yes? Continue on and have a good time.

2. Pick your fights. Is this issue truly worth fighting over? No? Stop arguing, let it go. Yes? Stick to your guns until they agree or a compromise can be reached.

Answer 9

All of the above and what people forgot is the most important one.
Marriage starts out with three .You,Your Spouse and God.But remember the two of you become one flesh.And what God has put together let no person come between you.

Answer 10

Marriage is a two way street therefore you have to give and receive, as well as good communication. Try having an equal relationship where both of you make the decision, not just one of you. Cheers and good luck.