If half of all marriages end in divorce and  of the half that stay together only half of those are happy marriages, maybe we should start exploring some things before we walk down the aisle in order to eliminate the “Breakup Pandemic”.

As these thoughts come to me I’ll make sure I share them with you.  Here is some more stuff somebody should have told me before I got married. 

Your mental match is your best catch – Opposites may attract but usually what caught your eye or got your attention initially, fades to the background and your left with the stuff that really matters.  When you get to the good stuff that really takes some thought & brain power you want to have someone on your team that is at least as smart as you.  Wise people say if your the smartest one in your circle of friends then you should get some new friends. 

Unfulfilled Expectations Were Probably Unexplained Expectations -How many times do you get disappointed because someone didn’t do what you wanted them to do?   Communication is vital especially before the fact.  If you have ideas on what you think a wife or a husband should do, be or have make them known before you get to the 3 year mark and the conversation becomes “Well you should’ve known…”  Unfulfilled expectations leave people hurt, mad, and some kind of way but remember the other person is probably not a mind reader.

Pet peeves are a waste of your time and energy – My wife refuses to put the top on the tube of toothpaste.  Now I’m not a germaphobe or compulsive about sanitizing  (although I am pretty keen on having  hand sanitizer everywhere I go) but this just drives me insane.  Arguments have started & lasted for days because of that one.  Now I buy my own toothpaste that no one uses but me.  On to the next thing.

Have 9 conversations first – There are about 9 categories or topics that every couple needs to have a conversation about before they seal the deal.  These are Children, Life Purpose, The Dark Side, Relationships in General, Sexuality, Spirituality, Financial Philosophy, How To Make One Another Feel Good, Health & Wellness.  Cover & explore these areas deep enough and you have a base to cover any issue that you may face.