The Art Of A Good Marriage

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created.
In marriage the little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted;
the courtship should not end
with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice,
but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation
and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience,
understanding and a sense of humor.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal,
dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.

by Wilferd Arlan Peterson

22 Comments

  • Officiant

    Just an FYI, the author of this piece, Wilfred Peterson, named it The Art of Marriage, not The Art of a Good Marriage.

    And as Mark commented above, the 5th to last line is not supposed to contain the word "old".

    Paul 2019-11-18


  • Art of a Marriage

    I am a minister in Las Vegas ,I use this poem all

    the time.

    Maria Romano 2015-02-19


  • Well said...

    Thank you for this inspiration, I will look for this in my partner and marriage...

    Flavia Nunes 2013-06-26


Read ALL comments (22)

Add a Comment

Want us to help you write your wedding vows? Click here!