Recent polling from Gallup confirms that married people are happier than single people, further confirmation of God’s declaration in Genesis that man was not meant to be alone (Genesis 2:18).
Marital happiness can be attributable to many things, from the security of care and companionship, to shared dreams and the thrill and satisfaction of healthy physical intimacy. But one critical component that underlies and sustains most of the happiness in marriage is a commitment to having fun together.
The majority of couples with marital problems who reach out to us for help at Focus on the Family have forgotten to prioritize this basic part of the relationship. For them, marriage has become “ho-hum” and business-like. At some point after the joy of the wedding ceremony, life settled into a daily grind of routine activity. Careers were chased, children were born, a larger home was purchased, and the days quickly became consumed with maintaining and surviving.
As a result, the romance faded. What used to be hours on the phone together and regular date nights become two people who only talk about practical matters, like finances or the kids’ grades. Eventually, the emotional connection points that drew the couple together disappear entirely.
And then one day, the couple realized they no longer had an intimate relationship, but something closer to a business arrangement. Even worse, their daily energy became so devoted to the mundane responsibilities of life, the couple had nothing left to offer each other.
Originally published in the Washington Times. | 
