Marriage is never easy and needs constant nurturing much like a seed that grows into a plant and then into a mighty tree. A decade of marital bliss is a significant milestone for us. Here is my A-Z of what worked and continues working as my husband and I navigate our next 10 years and beyond.

A- Appreciate each other for all the good things

B- Become friends. We are often more considerate in friendships.

C- Celebrate all moments. It will bring a smile to your face when you look back.

D- Don’t bring up the past in any fight. It never helps.

E- Express yourself openly and don’t wait for the other to mind read.

F- Forgive and forget. Fix your fights before going to bed.

G- Give space and let your spouse invest in other relationships. You will see the spill-over effects in your own marriage.

H- Humour is a powerful tool and if you can make your spouse smile even after years of marriage, it’s a huge success

I- Intimacy is an integral part of any relationship. You are never too old for it.

J- Judge your partner by actions not perceptions or prejudices or hearsay

K- Kiss every day. It activates happy hormones in your body.

L- Love generously and unconditionally. It ultimately conquers everything else.

M- Money should never be a reason to fight. Value relationships and people rather than things

N- Nurture each other’s dreams and support it.

O- Overcome ego. Shedding it makes the journey lighter.

P- Persist through tough situations encouraging each other that it will pass and we will triumph.

Q- Question whenever in doubt, whether anything is more important than this relationship.

R- Respect each other in front of others and privately.

S- Spend alone time together every day to reinforce the importance of this relationship

T- Trust each other to want the best for the relationship

U- Understand each other’s intentions and approach and decide the best way to deal with an issue

V– Vow never to show the other person down publicly.

W- Work as a team for you are strongest when together

X- Xtra is the motto. Going a little further for your partner in everything pays off.

Y- Yearn for the other when apart. It brings you closer.

Z- Zest for life and love should not diminish as that’s the spark which keeps the marriage glow alive.

I would love to hear your thoughts. You can subscribe to my blog to read what more I have in store for you.