Being married has helped me realize and relearn a lot of things in my life. Going through the several wedding preparation classes that the Diocese of Phoenix required us to undergo has really helped me and my husband get to know each other.
1. Patience is a virtue
I used to get ticked off by a messy home, and I still do! Now that my husband knows about this, he tries his best to keep our home neat and clean *he even helps me clean the house at times!* or just take his mess out of my sight until he finds time to clean them. I try my best not to nag when I see mess at home.
2. Communicate
Me and my husband sometimes work odd hours. There were days when we don't eat dinner together or he has to leave for work during the wee hours while I am still sleeping. Although this is the case for us, we still manage to talk about our life together and spend time with each other. We still go out on dates even we're already married. We still embarassingly kiss, hold hands and hug each other in public. Remember that communication is not only verbal.
3. Trust and Respect
I am a self-confessed control freak. I liked doing things my way... the way I clean my home, the way i wash the dishes, the way I cook, the way I would handle my work. When my husband moved in with me, I had a hard time teaching him how I want things to be done. I remember when we would fight about how he should put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher and how many times he can do laundry in a week. Yes, seriously! Those petty fights are all behind us now. I know that my husband has his own way of doing things and I have my own way of doing things. We may not like the process on how we get things done but we know that we have the same intention... to get things done and help each other.
I have only been married for a short period of time so I am no expert in marriage. I know my marriage is still a work in progress and for as long as we choose to stay together, there will be bigger bumps ahead. But as what my husband always tells me, these challenges will make us stronger.