Relationship Advice

Be honest!

Don't let extended family get in the way...

Talk about it!

I am new in this arena, heck, we aren't even married yet, so I will be interested to hear what the Gatherites have to say!

Remember that you are not there for or because of each other but that the world becomes richer seen together.

WOW, Kate... love that one!

Keep the fire lit.

Never take a chainsaw to bed with you.

Be as polite and considerate to your partner as you are to everyone else; for example the clerk at the store. The most important person in your life deserves your best. Being together doesn't entitle a person to be mean and rude in any area.

Humor.... 8-)

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communication, communication, communication!
Oh! Sorry, you said one!
And if you haven't taken that step yet but are considering - remember you are both being on your best behavior before - the burps, belches, and farts all become real after the I dos!

Be deeply intimate and in love with one another.
be kind to your self.
Bring the gift of your love for one another out in to the community and share that love with those most in need.
And Remember "the love in your heart wasn't meant there to stay
because love isn't love until you give it away"

Keep other people OUT of your relationship, and if you must seek advice, make sure you get it from a couple whose marriage is LONG, LONG, LONG, and HAPPY -- a couple like my Uncle Harold and Aunt Goldie, married for 62 years when he died; they could qualify to give you some expert advice on marriage.

Thanks Sharon:)

Mike~ Great advice! I'll remember to leave my chainsaw in the shop:)

Remember that you're BOTH equal and bring something special to the relationship, even if it's not immediately obvious. Be PARTNERS in all decisions that can affect the other.

Treat each other with at least the respect you would extend to a stranger.

Keep communication alive ...

You need Trust absoulte total trust and communication is vital

Hmmm still trying that one on for size after 2 divorces.....

Good luck Paul:) Sometimes it takes awhile to find the right fit!

Select your battles!!! My wife and I have been happily married for almost 26 years now and we have learned that it is healthy to sometimes argue about those things we feel strongly about...but we now know to try and do it without verbally hurting the other and most importantly...if it isn't really that important to keep our mouths shut and our hearts open!

TALK, TALK, TALK! Discuss everything about how you would raise children, religion, relationships with in-laws, etc...Keeping the lines of communication open is extremely important!

OK, all that stuff is really nice, but now for some nuts and bolts. Money is one of the main areas of conflict in a marriage. Each person needs to have some money to spend however they please, no questions asked. A woman should make sure she has a nest egg (if your husband is a "spender" instead of a "saver" you should probably not tell him the amount you have stashed, but I do NOT advocate keeping a secret account...secrets have a way of rising up and biting you in the butt) for emergencies...and if no emergency arises, use it for a nice getaway for the two of you. A woman should also be sure that she has good credit in her own name. This might sound like cynicism about the future of the relationship, but I do not mean it that way. If a woman makes sure that she is on equal footing with her husband financially...which means he doesn't control everything...she is also more likely to be on equal footing in other aspects of the relationship.