In jest, some people label their marital setup as "sleeping with the enemy.
" We who are also married shrug or laugh it off.
Nonetheless, we perfectly understand.
Marriage is a constant challenge and many have resigned to living with less than friendly relations with their partner.
If you are in that situation, I am sure you would like to get out of that situation and begin saving your marriage.
In fact, that could be the very reason why you are reading this article.
Read on and discover how you can become great friends with your spouse and save your marriage in the process.
Many married couples would admit getting envious of people who say they are best friends with their husband or wife.
Deep in our hearts we long for a fulfilled marriage that comes only with becoming great friends with our spouse.
If you are longing for a more intimate relationship with your spouse, use that energy to get started now on your efforts to save your marriage.
How is it possible that some couples never tire of each other's company - constantly helping each other, sharing a laugh, exchanging knowing glances, and always with good words to say to and about each other? Well, these are couples who do their homework and put effort on developing their friendship.
Here are some ways you and your spouse could grow as friends.
1.
Communicate.
Spend lots of time in conversation with your partner.
Feel free to talk about anything and everything under the sun.
Share fun childhood memories, dreams, faith, beliefs, problems, favorite things, pet peeves, etc.
The goal is to make yourself known to your spouse, as much as you also find out about him/her.
Do not let one partner dominate a conversation.
2.
Listen as much as you speak.
If your partner finds it hard to verbalize thoughts, ask questions to draw him/her out.
Do not let your busyness get in the way of communicating with your spouse.
If more talk time requires less TV and Internet, then so be it.
Also redeem time by talking even as you walk or jog, and do chores.
3.
Plan fun dates.
Set aside time and money for an exclusive (meaning, children not included) date each month.
A little creativity goes a long way.
Instead of counting on your favorite restaurant or the nearby mall to provide amusement, think of new ways to enjoy each other's company.
Try a new sport, run a marathon, do volunteer work together, go camping, climb a mountain - there are many options out there.
If you're up to it, try something daring.
And while you're at it, talk, talk, talk.
4.
Enter your spouse's world.
If your husband is into baseball, try to learn as much as you can about it.
You don't have to play baseball if you're not up to it, but make effort to learn enough such that you are able to ask intelligent questions on the subject.
In the same way, open your world to him.
Whatever passion or interest you have, welcome your spouse into it.
5.
Share things.
Let your spouse know that nothing material is more important to you.
Enjoy what wealth you have together.
6.
Be loyal.
Great friends cheer each other on.
Let your spouse know how proud you are of him/her.
Constantly remind your spouse that you are there not only to share the good times, but also the bad.
Becoming great friends with your spouse takes constant work over a lifetime.
If you start building on it now, the rewards will not take long.
If you work on it diligently, you will be able to save your marriage.
The above tips will produce even better results if used to improve an already healthy marriage.
Save your marriage before it breaks apart.