One of the greatest pleasures of marriage is knowing you have the opportunity to have awesome sex, almost at will. For many couples in a relationship that’s headed toward marriage, the status quo is that you should be physically intimate with the person before you wed to “make sure” you are compatible. Unfortunately, many times, couples substitute hot sex for emotional love. After you walk down the aisle, life has to move beyond the bedroom and function in all the other rooms of the house and beyond. So, here’s how to make a marriage work both in the bedroom and elsewhere.
Beyond Sex: How to Make a Marriage Work Outside of the Bedroom
In this article:
- Marriage in the Living Room
- Marriage in the Kitchen
- Love in the Dining Room
- A Relationship Away from Home
- Marriage with Extended Family
Marriage in the Living Room
The living room is a great place to have some truly intimate moments with your spouse. It is the place where you “live” together. There are opportunities to be close to your mate physically and emotionally. It’s a place to watch movies that you both enjoy, or have meaningful conversations, or play fun games.
It is a great place to bond without sex necessarily being involved. Of course, some of those moments where you emotionally connect in the living room can lead to action on some other furniture besides the bed. How to make a marriage work outside the bedroom doesn’t mean you can’t do bedroom stuff elsewhere!
Marriage in the Kitchen
In an odd way, marriage in the kitchen can be as “hot” as marriage in the bedroom. This is probably the one place where you get to use all of your senses and truly enjoy time with your partner. If you’re wondering how to make a marriage work in the kitchen, spend time cooking meals together. It’s a great opportunity for teamwork and fun conversations. Of course, some of those moments where you emotionally connect in the kitchen can lead to action with tools and tastes not found in the bedroom.
Marriage in Dining Room
Some of the most successful couples will tell you that eating a meal together contributes to a fulfilling married life. Spending time talking over a nice meal (even nicer if prepared together in the kitchen), can help you de-stress and release some of the hardships of the day. That time needs to be about more than just talking about stuff that needs to be taken care of. It’s a time to talk about your struggles and the things going on in your heart.
Marriage Away From Home
Bonding opportunities away from home can be a challenge. But there are some ways to make sure you don’t miss out on times and place you can connect with your mate.
- Send a nice text message to your spouse while they’re at work
- Call your spouse during your lunch break and let them know you’re thinking about them
- Surprise your spouse with a nice delivery – whether personally or via courier
Marriage With Extended Family
By far, this has to be one of the most challenging parts of a relationship. It can be easy to run back to family or friends as a safe haven when you begin to experience challenges in your relationship. But if you don’t know how to make a marriage work, involving your family is definitely a wrong turn.
You have to keep the airing of your married business to your family down to the bare minimum, if at all. The temptation is to desire someone familiar to be on your side, but it’s unfair without them hearing both sides of a conflict. It also puts a bad taste in their mouth for your spouse. Eventually, you are setting your spouse up for a combative relationship with your extended family. The truth is, your spouse is your family now. So, if you want to make your marriage work, then put your spouses best face forward with your extended family.
A good romp in the bedroom is exciting in a loving marriage. But a loving marriage is achieved beyond the bedroom. Remember that even if you and your spouse have the hottest sex and are able to compartmentalize your emotions, it won’t be long before unfulfilled emotional needs turn a hot sex life cold. When you take time to build your relationship outside of the bedroom, you will build a marriage that will last for life.
BMWK, are you ready to make marriage work outside of the bedroom?
Up Next: Sexless Marriage? 21 Questions to Incredible Sex with Your Spouse
Editor’s Note – This post was originally published on March 14, 2018, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.