Marriage is not convenient. Once married, you get less sleep, you put in more work, you have to pay attention and be considerate of another human being. You have more responsibilities and less freedom. You have to plan and think things through. It is not easy. But it is the Lord’s way of obtaining a FULNESS of JOY!

Marriage takes sacrifice and effort.

“Married couples are tried by temptation, misunderstandings, financial problems, family crises, and illness, and all the while love grows stronger. Mature love has a bliss not even imagined by newlyweds.” - President Boyd K. Packer

Figuring out what efforts and sacrifices need to be made to strengthen and build your own marriage is an individual matter. It takes thought and prayer. It can be fun and lighthearted though J President Packer suggested that “two essential ingredients to a successful marriage are a cookie and a kiss”. It can start with a simple act of service; a nice note or a kind action for your spouse. If you cultivate that type of relationship, when the harder times and bigger issues hit, you will be in the habit and way of thinking that resembles, “What can I do to ease their burden or cheer them up”. You will be used to helping and lifting in the ways that mean a lot to them. You will be used to communicating not just in words but in deeds.

Just like the saying “nothing worth having comes easily”, a happy, healthy and successful marriage doesn’t just happen. It takes intentional and continuous effort. When we put work and effort into our marriage, we appreciate it more!

I have seen it with Dan. As we each make an effort to be more aware of one another’s care/comfort and strive to improve it, we find greater happiness in making each other happy.