DQ 2

Re: Topic 4 DQ 1

Hello Class,

Find an article or interview about a couple who have been married 50 years or more. Describe what they identified as the keys to longevity in marriage. What are your takeaways from the couple that you had not previously considered? This is here answer for this question

I found an article about four couples who were interviewed because they were married for 50 years or more. Each couple was asked the same four questions and their responses were recorded. Each couple stated that they stayed together this long because they understood the need for communication. All of these couples also stated that they rarely argued because they kept the lines of communication open and remained open minded about any disagreements that arose. When asked about their advice for younger couples, they all said relatively the same thing. Their advice was to remember that you are in a partnership, never go to bed angry, remember to keep God at the head of your relationship, and be able to put yourself in your partner's shoes to see their point of view.

I found these interviews to be very interesting because each couple, while admitting that they had their disagreements, stated that they did not have many arguments that would be considered big issues because they openly communicated with each other. I like this idea because it shows that we all have bad moments and disagreements but as long as we are willing to see another perspective and put ourselves in another's shoes, we will be able to effectively communicate with our partners and by extension the world at large while remaining calm.

Blessed, Amber Cochrane

Go to the Focus on the Family website. https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage Select one of the articles about marriage from the site that speaks to you, then write a reflection on what you learned from the article. This is her answer for this question

Good afternoon class and Professor,

The article that I chose for the discussion question was, "And they lived happily ever after". It talks about Hollywood's ide about marriage. Real life marriage is not like a rom-com or even a Hallmark movie. If only. It does get you thinking about real life however. Relationships take alot of work on both people. In movies they talk about love at first sight. I would have to say I believe in that. I feel when I met my husband, it was love at first sight. You could even say we are soulmates as well. He was my knight in shining armour rescuing me from nasty customers at the store I worked at. I know it almost sound like a Hallmark movie, but it is far from it. It still took alot of work on both parts especially when I had children to consider. But it was worth the hard work. I think I am lucky to be in the place I am. I was married before this and things are so different and I mean for the good. Like the article states, happy endings are hard wired within us. I guess I am a romantic at heart so to speak.

Thank you.

Maria