Colleen Cluff
I’ve heard my whole life that marriage isn’t just “fun and games”. This phrase has been interpreted by many people as not having an effort or putting work into something. But, I think marriage can and is “fun and games”. In the book The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, John M. Gottman teaches much about marriage working when the base is a strong and nurtured friendship. He says, “the simple truth [is] that happy marriages are based on a deep friendship.” (Gottman, p. 21). When I think of my friendships growing up, I think of playing, laughing, fun and happy memories. Why would the friendship in my marriage be any different?
The last month and a half of being married has been so much fun! We’ve just been building a life together. I go to school, he works, we come back together and play games, eat food, chat, go outside on hikes, and the list goes on. When he is gone at work I miss him and can’t wait to see him again and when he comes home I feel like a puppy that’s been itching to see its owner, and the love I show him upon his return is reciprocated. Although, in the midst of all the fun we have is work. We work on being what one another needs. We work on establishing good habits spiritually, physically and emotionally. I’ve cried lots with him and he works so hard as a husband to comfort me and make me happy again. When he is stressed about work, I try to listen and be the wife he needs; I try to be the friend he needs.
Friendships aren’t about looking past hard times, ignoring them and only seeing good. But it is truly getting to know a person and loving them through it all. And THAT is what is so fun about it! Marriage should be one of the greatest blessings in a person’s life, and I believe it can be. It will take work but my dad has always told me that the hardest work in life brings forth the greatest blessings.
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