In Good Times and...

Nearly all of us enter marriage believing our love for our mate will never fade. Yet in the U.S. today, for every two marriages, there is one divorce. For too long we have accepted Hollywood's portrayal of love as the type of love for which to strive. It doesn't take long to discover that mere passion which revolves around sexual gratification is not sufficient in itself to establish a lasting relationship. Unfortunately, too many couples begin their marriages thinking this type of love is all they need.

There are at least three types of love--affection, passion and genuine love--only the latter provides an adequate foundation for the other two types.

The honeymoon stage is a time of anticipation, establishing routines, setting up house, getting to know each other in a new way, silly and selfish conflicts, pursuing dreams, establishing employment and just generally having fun together.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Pleasant memories and treasured traditions can provide building blocks upon which a young couple can build their own marriage and family life. If you expect your love affair to remain the same or count on it to get better and better with-out effort on your part, you will be disappointed. Your love relationship must change because it is a living entity.