Because many of you are young parents, I assume that it wasn't terribly long ago that you may have had a similar, beautiful moment as shown here.  Do you remember it as if it were yesterday?

Sad to say, but statistically half of the people who say "I do", decide later that they don't!   Love, honor and obey? Forget about it!  Even many of those who write their own vows live to regret those carefully penned sentiments.  (We don't have the statistics of how many remain in marriages, racking up one miserable and unhappy anniversary after another.)

Let's face it, marriage isn't easy.  It takes a determination to never give up on whatever it was that made you think it could work in the first place.  It takes keeping in touch with that initial attraction and love that brought you together.  It takes a total commitment on the part of both partners.

Most young couples are also into career-building, and trying to sock away whatever they can.  When the economy is bad and a strict budget becomes necessary, saving may be less of an option and they find out how much they agree or disagree on very basic issues. (Money  is said to be the number one reason for divorce.)

When children are added to the dynamics, naturally they contribute to economic pressures, and couples learn to either pull together or they may pull apart.

May I make the following suggestions?

• Be sure to take time to keep in close touch with your spouse: physically, mentally and emotionally.
• Make sure that you are on the same wave length and that you understand what each is going through.
• Listen to each other with a loving heart, not waiting to jump in with your own concerns.
• Give him or her the same rapt attention you gave when you first met .
• Don't lose who you are as a couple when the times get burdensome and stressful.
• Take a money management class together. No time? Then read and discuss books on the subject.
• Find time to be playful and silly, don't lose your sense of fun and humor.

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