My wife Kay and I are closing in on 30 years of marriage. I must admit that our marriage is better than I ever expected it to be and seems to get better with age. There are many factors that make for a good marriage; some are tangible, like provision (shelter, food) and protection (financial security, safety). Other factors are less concrete but are just as real. Understanding, respect, empathy, and other qualities are just as important in a happy marriage. As important as all these factors are, here are 5 habits of men in the happiest marriages:
1. Grooming
Do you remember what it was like to go on your first dates together? You probably put a lot of effort into making yourself as presentable as possible. Unfortunately, somewhere in the daily grind, men seem to lower their standard of physical presentation. It doesn't have to be that way. I strongly recommend that you take pride in your appearance; don't brush off grooming and hygeine like it doesn't matter.
I've seen an evil under the sun. A middle-aged man goes into a marriage crisis and finds himself alone. What does he do now? He goes on a diet, updates his wardrobe, goes to the barber, joins a fitness center, and gets a new car. Why? Because he is trying to reclaim his manhood, trying to make himself more attractive. I recommend that you do these things but while you're married.
2. Cleaning
One of the first principles that my wife and I implemented in our marriage was that we would not go to bed with the house in disarray. It made for a restless night for me if the house wasn't in order. To make sure our house was clean and neat, I always helped around the house. I have a habit of picking up after myself. If I see a need, I fulfill it. If there are dishes that need to be washed or put in the dishwasher, I do it without thinking. We're in this together and we want our house to be comfortable. Amazingly, we've found that this simple habit helps us keep strife out of our home.
3. Attention
We're living in a very distracted culture. Take a look around the restaurant the next time that you're out. How many couples are looking at their phones rather than at each other? We are very connected, without being intimate. I've made it a habit to leave my phone off or on silent when I am with my wife. When we talk, I look at her and make eye contact. I listen and really engage in the conversation, regardless of what we're talking about. I am blessed that my wife is one of the smartest people that I've ever met (and I've met a lot of really smart people). After 30-years of marriage, she is still intriguing to me.
4. Affection
Affection is emotional and physical attention. Giving affection is something that a man should be proactive in doing. Some men get out of the habit of the pursuing their wife. They allow their hands to become cold, their words become boring, and their heart to become hardened.
The happiest marriages are those who are very active and proactive in affection. Again, it gets better with age. The longer your marriage endures the more precious it becomes.
5. Prayer
I am not sure why it was difficult for me to start this habit but once I did, it brought us together closer than anything else. I want my prayer time with my wife to be authentic, private and intimate. I started preparing, having communion and praying with my wife when we set aside the Tithe to be paid to our church. It really has become one of our most cherished times together. We celebrate the goodness of God in our lives, for our families, and in the provision of our household. Prayer is a difference found in happy marriages.
Our three children have all gotten married within the last five years. It is interesting to see each of them navigate their young marriages and develop their habits within their relationships. It really is a miracle when two people come together in covenant to embark on their joint venture and learn to work together to have a happy marriage. Developing a few good practical habits early on will help their marriages remain strong and youthful through the many years together.
