VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
Success in any military marriage doesn't come from only finding the right person, but in learning to love the person you found.
As the deployment rates continue to climb, marriages and family coping skills decline. An example of this can be found in a story told of one Airman (Paul) who just returned from war. After being ignored by his wife, Liz, for several days, Paul began to reevaluate his marriage by asking his wife a question.
"Come on Liz, admit it," he ranted. "You only married me because my granddad left me $6 million, didn't you?"
"You really are silly, Paul," retorted Liz loudly. "I couldn't care less who left you the money."
During these summer months many people will celebrate their wedding anniversaries and vacation with family. Let's take the time to look at these 10 Commandments for Success in Military Marriage by Dennis Rainey.
1. Be honest with your spouse: The best relationships are built on pure honesty. Whom else can you depend on to give you an honest perspective on life?
2. Be unpredictable with your spouse: Life is boring with a predictable spouse ... do something different and fun.
3. Encourage your spouse daily: Believe in your spouse and remind them of their uniqueness and significance daily.
4. Togetherness in everything: Multiply your joys, divide your sorrows and add to your life by going through everything together.
5. Counterbalance your spouse: Slow them down when they're going too fast and support their vision when they start to doubt.
6. Be understanding of your spouse: The best relationships are built when you walk a mile in your spouse's shoes.
7. Parent your children together: It took both of you to conceive, make sure both of you take part in raising them.
8. Be romantic: Share intimate thoughts and feelings through dates, phone calls, cards and letters.
9. Control your tongue: Remember, you don't have to say everything you're thinking. If you have nothing good to say ... be quiet.
10. Pray together daily: Praying together helps you to remember that God is a vital part of your marriage.
Remember military marriages will only work if we put work in to them.