How to have a strong marriage

If you're reading this it means you want a strong and healthy marriage, and I mean who doesn't? After being married for a year my husband and I learned A LOT! They say the first year is always the hardest and it'll determine whether or not you'll survive together. So here are a few tips that my husband and I have practiced in our marriage (disclaimer, Im not an expert either):

1. Never go to bed angry

2. Have date night

3. Make each other smile daily

4. Never stop trying

5. Communicate Respectfully

6. Understand each others needs

7. Give each other space

Believe it or not, even happy couples fight. One thing my husband and I found helpful was to never go to bed angry and to always make each other smile daily. A lot of times when a couple have been together for some time, they'll forget to go on date nights and to continue to do all the little things that made them fall in love with each other in the first place. It's necessary that as a couple you continue to flirt with other and have those adventurous date nights.

I personally enjoy going on dates at the very last minute! My husband and I went to a sunflower field as one of our dates and it was the best yet most horrible date ever! HAHA! Who knew there’d be so many ants and wasps?! My point is, that doing last minute dates might just be the thing you’re missing.

We also continuously communicate about our feelings and how we could improve. Every now and then, we sit together around a delicious meal and talk about our expectations and what we are missing from each other. How we could improve and why we feel the way we do. It's a great skill when used accordingly.

My husband and I still flirt with each other as if it was the first time we met. One thing we understood clearly, is that we MUST continue to win each other over. We randomly surprise each other with either flowers, a favorite meal, a present, or with a stay at home activity.

We also learned that space is a big part of our relationship, we couldn’t be with each other 24/7. Some days I'll snuggle up in bed with a good book while he's downstairs playing with his xbox. Other days, I'll cook a homemade meal while he runs some errands. Having and giving each other space is healthy. It develops a deeper sense of trust and understanding.

Just remember, being in a relationship with someone you care about should feel easy but requires maintenance. It shouldn’t feel like work or make you. You should be partners in crime, best friends and soulmates.