Friendship in Marriage

I have learned a lot of great information this week about negative behaviors that can effect marriage.  But what stuck out to me the most is 40 years of research from Dr. John Gottman, 

who is a leading researcher in marital relationships.  He has studied hundreds of marriages to see what works and what doesn't work within relationships. 

In his book "The Seven Principles for Making marriage Work", Dr. Gottman said, 

"I now know that the key to reviving or divorce-proofing a relationship

 is not simply how you handle your disagreements

 but how you engage with each other when you're not fighting." 

His approach to helping couples is to 

"strengthen the friendship and trust that are at the heart of any marriage."

The dictionary defines friendship as 

"the state of being a friend" 

 and a friend is 

"a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard."  

This makes me smile because I consider my husband my dearest friend!

We were friends long before we were married.  We had common talents and interests- music, a love of people, a desire to travel, joy in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was easy to get to know who he really was deep inside because he showed a genuine love and concern for the people around him.  He brought peace and contentment into my life and continues to do so after 21 years of marriage.

If I had a wish it would be that all marriages could be founded upon eternal friendship which would last through all times!