A happy couple sitting together on a couch, holding hands and smiling warmly.

The Secrets of a Successful Marriage

How to Have a Successful Marriage

What are the secrets of a successful marriage? Wedlock is a lifelong devotion that needs love, trust, and dedication. But how do you know if you are ready to take this big step? Today, I will share some of the secrets of a successful marriage I learned from my friends that you need to know before you tie the knot.

Know yourself and your partner.

One of the first secrets of a successful marriage is to know yourself and your partner well. It means being aware of your and your partner’s personality, values, goals, strengths, weaknesses, likes, and dislikes. Knowing yourself and your partner will help you to communicate better, avoid conflicts, and support each other. It will also help you to appreciate each other’s differences and similarities and to respect each other’s individuality.

A couple with different personalities enjoying their time together, one reading and the other on the phone.
Knowing and embracing each other’s differences strengthens a relationship.

My friends David and Sarah have been dating for two years. They know each other very well. David knows Sarah is an introvert who likes to read and play video games. On the other hand, Sarah knows that David is an extrovert who enjoys socializing and traveling. They also know that Sarah values honesty and loyalty, while David values creativity and adventure. In addition, they respect each other’s preferences and choices and don’t try to change, yet improve one another by learning from their differences. Another good thing in their relationship is that they communicate their feelings and expectations clearly and honestly.

Share your vision and expectations.

Another secret of a successful marriage is to share your vision and expectations with your partner. It means discussing your hopes, dreams, fears, and challenges for the future. It also means agreeing on salient aspects of your relationship, such as finances, children, household chores, sex, religion, etc. Sharing your vision and expectations will help you to align your goals and values and to plan for potential obstacles or opportunities. It will also help you to avoid disappointment or resentment later on.

A couple planning their future together, discussing goals over coffee and notebooks.
Sharing visions and expectations builds a strong foundation for marriage.

I met Mark and Laura in the language exchange program, and they told me they had been engaged for eight months before they tied the knot. As they told me, the secret to their relationship is that they share their vision and expectations for their marriage. They both want to have two children in the next five years. Furthermore, they agree on managing their money, dividing their household responsibilities, expressing their intimacy, and practicing their faith. Besides, they discuss their fears and challenges, such as losing their jobs, getting sick, or having conflicts with their families. Importantly, they support each other’s aspirations and concerns.

Keep the romance alive.

A third secret of a successful marriage is to keep the romance alive with your partner. It means showing your love and affection in different ways, such as compliments, hugs, kisses, gifts, or surprises. Also, it means keeping the spark in your relationship by doing things that make you happy and excited together. Keeping the romance alive will help you to maintain your attraction and passion for each other. It will also help you to cope with stress and boredom that may arise in your daily life.

A couple dancing together in their living room, laughing and enjoying the moment.
Keeping the romance alive keeps the love vibrant and strong.

Another example is Jack and Emma, my buddies, in one of the seminars I attended. They said they had been married for five years. To keep the romance alive, they say “I love you” daily and give each other small gifts or surprises now and then. Aside from that, they make time for each other every week by going on dates or having romantic dinners at home. They also try new things together every month, such as taking a dance class or going on a road trip.

Marriage is a lovely journey that can bring you happiness and satisfaction, but it is essential to be prepared for the challenges that come with it. By knowing yourself and your partner well, sharing your vision and expectations with them, and keeping the romance alive with them, you can have a successful marriage that lasts a lifetime.

A couple walking hand in hand on a tree-lined path, symbolizing the journey of marriage.
Marriage is a lifelong journey filled with love, challenges, and joy.

I hope this article was helpful to you. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you at the next one.

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Arlene Tangcangco 道地
Arlene Tangcangco 道地

ア-リ-ンタンカンコ道地, (Ph.D. candidate), also known as Teacher AL, is a learner and teacher at heart. Driven by curiosity, she has explored various fields since she was 17. She was a working student who held multiple jobs as a Tutor, Customer Service, and Sales Associate while studying full-time. After graduation, she worked as a Junior Radio Reporter, Team Leader, HR Recruitment and Training Officer, College Instructor, and Permanent Public Secondary School Teacher.

She has also jetted off to Japan to teach conversational, business, and academic English to various learners while furthering her education. AL's motto is "Learn to teach, and teach to learn." She believes education is a lifelong process that enriches one's mind, heart, and soul.

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