My latest series of articles has approached the various stages that couples go through in a marriage or long standing relationship. How a couple moves through the stages can make the difference in the future of the couple.
As you know, the first stage of marriage is often joked about. In many cases we will hear people comment on how a newlywed couple is still “on the honeymoon”. In other words, they have not hit reality.
Reality usually hits hard in stage two. Couples no longer feel that their partners are perfect. Things begin to annoy, aggravate, and irritate one another.
When a couple pushes on to stage three, they begin to realize that they need to work on their relationship. They focus on the things that they can do to make their lives happier. They may talk to a counselor or just re-exam themselves and their relationship.
After the reconstruction stage in three, the couple moves to stages four and five.
In stage four, the couple uses what they have learned about each other and about their relationship from stage three. They begin new communication and new behaviors. Their relationship begins to transform to something stronger, happier, and healthier.
Soon after this stage most couples reach the ultimate stage five. In stage five the couple reaches the desired stage of true love. They accept each other for who they are. They feel security and safety with one another. Their love is unconditional and they are inseparable.
This is the point that all couples wish for. While it is often believed that only a few couples ever reach this stage, it is attainable. The only hindrance of not getting to the point that you desire is not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Getting yourself stuck in an early stage of marriage can keep you from experiencing something incredible and wonderful.
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