How do you make a marriage last with romance still in it for more than two years?

Answer 1

What makes a marriage last?

I could write a book about that - and I did - and I still would not be able to give you all the answers. But let's go over the high points, the really essential ingredients of a successful and romantic relationship.

1. You must chose the right partner and that means, a person most like you, with similar background, e.g. religion, ethnicity and lifestyle. Part of today's problem with marriages is that our society has opened up more and more choices for marriage partners by freeing up the family structure, by opening up the world through easy travel and allowing an easy exit by no-fault divorce.

2. When you have a problem with your marriage partner you must learn to go "through" the problem, in other words, not avoid it but rather try to resolve it. The fear of confronting a problem in a marriage is the biggest clue to failure. Most marriages that fail, fail because of unresolved problems.

3. To hold on to "romance" in a marriage is a most difficult proposition. Never forget that habits become routine and routine tends to get boring. But there are ways to find romance in a marriage after more than two years. If you can possibly manage it, going out to dinner once a week - get a babysitter - will help renew the romance. Finding 15 minutes together after either one, or both of you come home from work. And, of course, taking vacations, getting away from the daily routines, will help keep romance alive.