6 Relationship Tips I wish I Knew Sooner

If you didn’t read my part 1, go back and read those when you have time.

But just for the sake of context. I’m 36 and I’ve been married for 13 years. I’ve learned sooo much over the years and feel that it’s my responsibility to share these with couples who may need to hear this.

Here are 6 tips I wish I knew sooner

1.DONT SET EXPECTATIONS - You're basically setting yourself up for failure if your partner happens to fall short of your expectation.

Instead, have a discussion about what each of your needs are.

Have the "speaker" "listener" type of convo.

Repeat back what each other says, that way you make sure you both are understanding each other and there's no confusion.

2.HAVE UNLIMITED FORGIVENESS - Marriage is meant to be for a lifetime.

We're all human, we will always make mistakes. Don’t put a limit on forgiveness, even when you feel they don’t deserve it.

Be willing to forgive every time. If you don't, you'll begin to keep a record of all the "wrongs" and start harboring hurt that will only hinder your relationship in the long run.

Just because you forgive, doesn't mean you have to forget. You both can learn, grow from it and recommit to each other.

And hopefully be able to look back and be grateful that you both made it through such a difficult situation.

3.BE WILLING TO PUT YOUR PARTNERS NEEDS BEFORE YOUR OWN - Let's be honest, we live in a selfish world.

And being SELFLESS can be challenging.

By prioritizing your partner's feelings shows them that they are more important to you over work, friends or anything else.

4.YOU DONT NEED TO FINISH SCHOOL BEFORE GETTING MARRIED - Brian went to school for 9 years while we were married. What got us through it was remembering that school isnt forever and there is an end at some point. So we toughed it out together.

5.YOU DONT NEED TO BE FINANCIALLY STABLE BEFORE GETTING MARRIED - Humble beginnings together is such a precious memory to look back on. Brian and I weren’t as financially stable as we are now. We went through the struggle together.

6.JUST BECAUSE YOU BREAK UP, doesn’t mean you can’t get back together. Everyone’s journey is different. Brian and I dated in high school for 3 years. But then took a 2 year break while he was in the Marine Corps. We wound up getting back together in 2009, 2 years after his injury in Iraq in 2007 and got married in 2010.

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