The four seasons of marriage (not every marriage will go through each stage, but the principles apply to all marriages)
Spring
• early years of marriage
• season of discovery and excitement
• initial infatuation will wear off at some stage
• the greatest need is to accept each other
Summer
• season of increased activity and demands
• may become parents during this season
• may face pressures of infertility
• careers can be more demanding
• the greatest need is to give time to the marriage relationship
Question:Reflect on what you've heard so far. Talk together about the pressures you've worked through until now in your relationship, and the pressures you're currently facing.
make your husband or wife feel like the most important person in the world to you
focus on what you like and admire about your partner
express gratitude for what your partner does
show appreciation for who your partner is
make it a daily discipline
Write down six things you appreciate about your husband or wife. (Be specific: it may be thanking them for what they do, or it may be expressing your appreciation for who they are-try to make it a mixture looking particularly for things you may have come to take for granted)
When you have both finished, show each other what you have put.
You may wish to use the worksheet below for this question: