5 Habits of Happily Married couples

Have you ever wondered what habits happily married couples have in common ?

I often see couples married for over 30 yrs  in our Catholic community here in Jamaica and a few things intrigued me… One of which was, how did they make it work in today’s world?

Well today’s blog post will answer just that. This week I’ve journeyed to the moon and back to get this information for you all. Just kidding, I  just reached out to a few of my favourite married couples from church. They have been married for 30 plus years so this is credible information, you can take it to the bank, or maybe I should say… to the altar. Anyway, you get the picture,
let’s get started.

5 Habits

1. Go to Mass at least once a week
2. Regular Dates
3. Make up quickly
4. Pray Together
5. Combine Finances

Go to Mass

Imagine your life as a pyramid where faith is the foundation, it forms a strong base that you can go home to when the storms of life hit. Going to Mass and receiving Jesus in the eucharist every week is like that. A renewal/ reminder to keep going.
Also, the mass is unique in that the summit or climax of it is not the homily or sermon BUT the act of consecration where the priest consecrates bread and wine to become the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. ( Yes, truly him present just as he said in John’s gospel. Truly, a mystical experience everytime, if you ask me.)
What does this have to do with the married?
This ULTIMATE sacrifice reminds all us, but to the married in a unique way because Christ gives himself up for his bride- the church and that mirrors the sacrifice between man and woman in marriage.

A great reminder now exists for us to show  daily acts of sacrifice to our husband and wife, just as Jesus did for us.
As I write this, I’m reminded of a quote from St. John Vianey who said if we truly understood what the mass was, we would die of joy.
What a gift, surely not to be taken for granted, especially for the married.

Regular Dates

Don’t let the business of life separate you from the one you love. Set aside a special  day /evening once a week or month, however often you might need depending on what season of life  you might be in.
This is very important to reconnect and to just catch up on what’s been going on with each other. You’d be surprised how much we miss out on with work and children in the mix or just work if children aren’t in the mix.

Make up Quickly

Disagreements are bound to happen, nip them in the bud early so that they dont come back to haunt you.
If it is something you both cannot handle, finding someone who is  qualified to help is crucial. As with everything else in life, if you dont know what to do, pray about it and seek wise counsel.

What’s most important is having a repair after the “rupture” and to remember the goal is HEAVEN. Nothing else matters.

Pray Together

Something happens to a couple on a neurological level when they pray TOGETHER. In this most intimate state before God, they exhibit a level of vulnerability and humility which pleases the Lord and I suppose that is why it is very hard to be upset with your spouse for too long if you pray Together.

Combined Finances

You Become one when married, why not become one when it comes to Finances?
What I mean by this is to work together as a team in your financial life.
Have meetings periodically to set goals and plan for the future. It’s no longer yours and mine and this area of life should also reflect that.
It not only increases trust but is a powerhouse for truly creating the life you’ve always dreamed of.

So we’ve reached the end of 5 habits. I think these 5 are broad enough to cover some main areas of life. Last year, I started putting together a list of ways to be happy and guess what, the first half will be FREE. So, look forward to that pretty soon.

Until Next Time,

Take care,

Abby