Marriage & courtship

Here are 18 short reflections on marriage, on the occasion of Michael’s 18th wedding anniversary:

1. Marry for demonstrated potential: catch them on their way up.

2. Marry as young as reasonable, so you develop your tastes and habits as a couple.

3. Children are infinitely better than pets. Don’t delay having them.

4. Have frank discussions about sexual expectations with your spouse, and have as much sex as you both can.

5. When arguing, stop and say, “Hey, I love you. We are on the same side. Let’s work this out together.”

6. Pray together every day, and share the things you’re learning from God’s Word.

7. Take responsibility for your sins and failures by saying, “I was wrong. There is no excuse. Please forgive me.”

8. Set a budget, and times to talk openly about finances.

9. Make five-year plans, with one-year benchmarks.

10. Go to church every Sunday, even when on vacation.

11. Never have close opposite-sex friends. Friends as a couple is okay, but not as individuals.

12. Never let your kids play you against each other, even if you…