1. Don’t screw up a good thing.
2. Keep each other laughing in good times and bad.
3. Drive each other to reach goals we didn’t think were possible.

Okay, it wasn’t so easy, but it made me think, and it made me appreciate my husband more. So, thanks!

1) To complement each other. We each strive to use our own strengths to re-enforce the others weaknesses, and to allow the other to do the same for us without getting hung up on our pride. It was a tough pill to swallow, for example, when I had to concede that she was better with the money than I, and relinquish control of the household funds over to her. But by doing so, we have prospered. That is her strength, and it would be foolish of me not to acknowledge it for reasons of ego.

2) To put the other’s happiness before our own. This only works if both are committed to the idea, otherwise it becomes a very one way street, and as such very toxic to the giver.

3) To realize that there is no “other”. As the Bible says about marriage: “and the two shall become one”. Perhaps a slightly metaphysical interpretation of the scripture, but nonetheless we strive to be of one mind, one spirit, united and inseparable as the hand is inseparable from the arm that holds it.

Cheers, Marc

Shower my wife with ridiculous gifts and vacations.

Raise happy, well adjusted children.

2) To experience the mercy of having a friend who loves you entirely and, in one important sense, exclusively.

3) To nurture children who are awakened to and appreciative of the realities of life in this world, both seen and unseen.

- Be married: That’s not just a simple, go to the alter, say I do, and live together for umpteen years be married. For that matter, doesn’t have to be an alter, a court house or anything else. Doesn’t have to be state recognized. All it needs to be is an exchange of vows and a commitment to be together, stay together and live together in a way that puts the other person’s care, needs and welfare first, before your own.

- Love each other – every day. We’re certainly mad or angry at each other sometimes, but anger should never devolves into hate.

- Raise our daughter to be a loving, giving, self reliant, free-thinking, independent person. Ready and equipped to go out and meet the world.

The specifics will fall into place.

The truth is that we’ve never really talked about what our “marriage goals” are. I’ll need to talk these through with my wife, but here is what I would start with:

1. Grow a family that loves each other and loves God.
2. Live a life that pursues debt free living with abundant giving.
3. Pursue worthwhile goals that serve God and his Kingdom.

That is just off the top of my head, but it’s always worth writing them down. Thanks for the challenge!