Finding your forever partner is filled with excitement and joy. Our dreams of finding the right person are coming true and the future is full of hope and promise. As exciting as engagement is, it is filled with new stressors and tasks.
Merging two lives is a complex task and can create powerful new challenges in the relationship. Preparing for a wedding, discussions on how to navigate future dreams and plans, and navigating not only our own expectations but that of family and friends requires the relationship raise to a new level. Conversations go from dreamy wonderings to practicalities. It is much easier to discuss these issues and come to shared understandings before discovering them once you’re knee deep in conflict because of them. Differences in preferences, identifying roles, and how to tackle seemingly mundane tasks can show up in everything from major decision making to who is doing the dishes or how to fold the laundry.
As each partner brings different histories, family cultures, issues, strengths, and weaknesses into the relationship, so each partner also brings different assumptions to the marriage. Often we are not even conscious of the expectations we have, yet they exist. These expectations can range from roles in marriage, children and parenting, household chores, money management, sex, and others. Discussing and exploring these issues prior to marriage can significantly ease the transition from dating and engagement into marriage. Learning how to balance when to ask for what you need and when to prioritize your partner is critical to a healthy marriage.
Our premarital counseling focuses on the relational inter-dynamics in marriage. More important than discussing these critical issues is establishing how we will discuss and manage them. How do you manage your feelings, care about the feelings of your partner, fight for your desires while also honoring your partner? Learning how to navigate these kinds of conversations prepares us to work through anything the future can bring. We’ll work with you to identify potential problem areas and then use them as opportunities to practice these important skills.
Contact us today to let us help you on your path to a great marriage.