Hello 
I still remember my father's advice. He said, "Couples who survive and thrive into old age don't mean their marriages never have problems, but rather that they maintain their commitment to each other, maintain communication, and remain mature in dealing with problems or misunderstandings in their relationships."
I've been married for almost twenty years. Thank God, even though my husband and I have faced many problems, from slander, provocation, and other issues aimed at destroying our marriage, we have survived, and our relationship has become increasingly harmonious.
The harmony we experience in this marriage isn't due to the absence of problems, but rather because we are able to trust each other and work together to resolve various issues within our marriage.
So, in this article, I want to share tips for maintaining a strong marriage. Perhaps these tips are subjective; in other words, they only apply to certain people with their respective socio-cultural backgrounds. But there's no harm in sharing good things, as a woman, for the well-being of women.
Let's reflect on these tips:
- Trust
To build a harmonious household, we must instill mutual trust by being honest and open in all matters. For example, small things that often raise suspicion between married couples, especially those who marry young, are issues with their phone screen unlock patterns or codes. This small thing may seem trivial, but if we think about it, it's these kinds of things that often seed suspicion, and the seeds of infidelity. Therefore, it's best to be mutually aware of and transparent about screen unlock patterns and codes.
- Communication
Communication plays a crucial role in building harmony in all relationships, especially in a marital relationship. For example, let me give an example of what my husband often does when he comes home from work late at night. Before he gets home, he always texts or calls me to tell me that there's no need for my children and me to wait for dinner together, because my husband will be home late. Or, for example, my husband always asks permission every time he wants to go out. Or whenever he's out, he always sends photos or just video calls so he knows what he's doing. These things may sound strange, but they actually foster maturity and awareness in communication. Awareness that communication is crucial for a healthy household.
- Commitment from the Start
To explain this third tip, I'll give an example of something I often do to my husband, and vice versa. For example, when I'm working out of town and happen to be in a remote village, I often have no signal or internet connection or other problems. So, from the start, my husband and I often send messages like this: "Honey, if you don't reply to my messages or can't reach me on your phone, it means you're busy. Don't worry, honey."
Many people initially commented on the three tips above, saying I was being too childish. But I didn't respond much. For more details, let's discuss them in the comments section, especially with other married women.
Thank you so much, my dear friends.
Photo caption: While I was taking my husband to pursue his passion for music.