Isn't marriage just great...
...until it isn't?

(Know what I mean?)

It's thrilling to fall in love!

Two people from different backgrounds, upbringings and
cultures united by love! Wow. Sounds so romantic!

It's pure blissfulness until one day...not so much.

It's common for marriage problems to start in the first year.

Whether those problems are from misunderstandings, egos or
personal issues, they can quickly sour the relationship.

When the situation becomes intolerable, many couples
call it quits instead of choosing to believe that their
marriage is good enough to save.

Here are five ways to start turning things around:

1. Accept The Fact You Are Having Problems

So many struggling couples are in denial. Be honest with
each other. Identify any points of conflict so you can
begin working to resolve them.

Decide to know what you're dealing with.

2. Talk To Your Partner

Start a conversation with your spouse about the problems
you feel you're facing and give them a chance to share
what's on their heart.

Don't be argumentative.

This isn't the time to unload all of your frustrations.

Let your partner speak, and listen sincerely to what
they're saying.

Do more than listen. Seek to understand.

And realize that "understanding" isn't the same
as "agreeing."

3. Reignite Your Love

Restoring your relationship isn't just about solving problems.
It's also about reigniting your love for one another.

This is a proven way to heal marriage.

Unless your partner has changed drastically, you should
be able to live with their shortcomings just as you did
before.

If the "little things" that you didn't mind before have
started bothering you, then it's time to take action and
reignite your love.

Come up with special dates and surprises for your partner.

Here's an idea:

Recreate the most romantic moments you have shared.

4. Share Your Feelings

Tell your partner how you feel about them. Don't assume they
already know how much you love them.

Tell them! Say it! Demonstrate it!

This increases feelings of passion and intimacy, which
makes problem solving and healing so much easier.

5. Sex!

Besides being an important part of a healthy marriage, sex
is one of the most important ways to heal a marriage.

You cannot expect to have a happy marriage without sexual
satisfaction.

But before blaming your partner for bedroom issues, evaluate
your own behavior and make necessary adjustments.

Listen, EVERY relationship has challenges and obstacles
along the way.

Expect it.

Be persistent.

Invest yourself in your relationship.

Choose to believe that your marriage can be saved!

And get to work on doing whatever it takes to be madly in
love again.

Until next time, this is Mike & Gayle Tucker and we want
you to be mad about marriage!