Before my husband and I got married, it seemed that everyone was full of advice for our new lives together. Now eight years in, we haven’t seen or done it all, but I was surprised at the things that we have experienced that didn’t get talked about much ahead of time.
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This is a wonderful post, so insightful. great for establishing a well rounded relationship with your spouse.
Number five is definitely underappreciated. The focus on merging space, habits, etc., dominated what I heard about marriage, and early on I felt like I’d have to give up my identity if I wanted a good marriage. Thankfully, I learned better (through experience and with some guidance). Our partnership will be 8 years strong, and yes, it gets better and better.
One thing I wish more of my friends had known earlier in life is how dating habits can socialize you in a way that runs counter to what works in marriage. What you look for in a woman as an ideal date or even a girlfriend doesn’t scratch the surface to what it takes to be married. Also, choices you make in that part of your life may set you up for problems later in life.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Will you shout this from the mountaintops?
The one thing that was not discussed prior to marriage was the fact that men can be as or more emotional than women. I didn’t think that this was something that I would have to deal with because I never saw this in my parents marriage nor any of my family members. Married 21 years and it’s getting tough….