Marital Satisfaction

People marry for many reasons. Some listed in my textbook are:
1.) The need for intimacy
2.) Social expectations
3.) Social Ideals and Personal Fullfilment
4.)Desire for Children
5.) Practical solution to problems/challenges
Marriage is a time to develop and strengthen your relationship with your spouse. Do not expect marriage to be bliss and care free. Yes, you can strive to create an environment of love and happiness, but there are going to be many bumps and road blocks along the way. This does not mean you can't work things out together as a couple. Here are some suggestions to keep your marriage strong:
~Make date nights a priority. ~Be selfless; put your spouse's needs first. ~Express appreciation/gratitude. ~Share your experiences--good and bad.
How do you engage each other in decision making? Show you deeply care about their opinion. Say something positive you liked about their opinion--even if you disagree with the overall opinion. Before saying your opinion, ask your spouse to share theirs.