The Seven Principles For Making Marriage Work: A practical guide from the international bestselling relationship expert

Reunions. We recommend a hug and a kiss that lasts at least six seconds. The six-second kiss is worth coming home to.

In other words, try to respond to the message, not to your partner’s tone of voice. Assume that within that message is a reasonable request with which you could easily agree.

most marriages (including healthy, happy ones) follow a comparable pattern of conflict in which the wife, who is constitutionally better able to handle the stress, brings up sensitive issues.

mercy is “twice blessed. It blesses him that gives and him that takes.”

“What can I do to make you feel loved this coming week?”

They assume the best about each other and their relationship.

They become so focused on how hurt they feel, on proving that they’re right and their spouse is wrong,

Take your partner’s side. This means expressing support even if you think his or her perspective is unreasonable. Don’t back the opposition—this will make your spouse resentful or dejected.

It means treating your spouse with the same respect you offer to company. If a guest leaves an umbrella, we say, “Here. You forgot your umbrella.” We would never think of saying, “What’s wrong with you? You are constantly forgetting things. Be a little more thoughtful, for God’s sake! What am I, your slave to go picking up after you?” We are sensit