Fun Questions to Ask Your Spouse

Asking your spouse a funny question can serve several purposes. For example, it can help you learn more about the person you’re married to and it can bring laughter into your relationship. Humor bonds people together and a dose of laughter is important for a marriage, according to “The Love List” by clinical psychologist Les Parrott and marriage counselor Leslie Parrott. There are many laugh-out-loud question games that can help give you the dose of humor you and your spouse may need.

Fun Questions to Ask Your Spouse

What-if Questions
Asking hypothetical questions can be one way to find out what your spouse would say or do in certain situations. To make the questions giggle-worthy, ask what he would do in situations that would never happen. In “Fun Relationship Questions” on Professional-Counselling.com, counselor Elly Prior encourages couples to ask silly questions and to encourage their spouses to answer as freely and as ridiculously as they want. For example, you might ask "What if you woke up one day and we had switched bodies?" Or, "If I could only cook you one thing for the rest of our lives, what would it be?" or "What would the world be like if it were taken over by aliens that look like flowers?"

Would You Rather Questions
For another set of funny questions, make your spouse choose between two extreme choices. For example, you could ask, "Would you rather I be completely hairless or as hairy as a gorilla?" or "Would you rather have “The Electric Slide” or “My Heart Will Go On” playing on a loop in our house for a year?" or "Would you rather our children grow up to be 7 feet tall or 3 feet tall?"

Funny Anecdotes
Sometimes the best laughs come from untold or forgotten stories that haven't had the chance to be heard. No matter how long you have been married, you may be surprised by some of the funny anecdotes your husband or wife has yet to tell. Ask questions that may reveal some of her funniest or most embarrassing stories. For example, you could ask "When was the last time you wanted to laugh really hard, but had to hold it in?" or "What was your most embarrassing bathroom-related incident?" You could also ask your spouse to describe a funny time when she was mistaken for someone else, or when he mistook someone for another person.

Questions With No Real Answer
Sometimes the funniest questions are ones that have the punch line in them. Humor in a marriage is not just a way to bond, but also a way to lighten the mood during tense times, according to “Disarming Cupid: Love, Sex and Science” by the Scientific American editors. Next time your spouse is in need of a good chuckle, ask him questions that don't really need an answer. For example, you might ask "when at a movie theater, which arm rest belongs to you?" or, "If someone only has one arm, do cops still handcuff him?"

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Fun Places to Celebrate Wedding Anniversary in Dallas

Fun Places to Celebrate Wedding Anniversary in Dallas

Couples celebrating their wedding anniversary have many places to choose from in Dallas, Texas. Whether you seek fine dining in the most elegant of locations or something a little more casual with excellent food, you will find options sure to please you. Choose the kind of atmosphere you desire most and consider your options.

Romance and Art
If you want romance and beauty as well as fine foods, start your search with Nana (nanarestaurant.com) at the Hilton Anatole at Stemmons Freeway and Market Center. The restaurant includes Asian art from Trammel Crow’s private collection, romantic music on Thursday through Saturday nights, and acclaimed food. No need to dress formally, although you are welcome to come in your finest. Choose private rooms or a more open floor plan to suit your mood. “Gourmet Magazine” listed the restaurant as one of America’s 50 finest restaurants and “Wine Spectator Magazine” gave them the “Best Award of Excellence.” Forbes Travel Guide awarded them four stars in 2009 and their critic John Mariani named them one of the “top ten romantic restaurants in America.” Reservations are not required, but you should if you want to use one of the private rooms or throw a large wedding anniversary party in the ballroom.

Fine Wines
If you want fine wine and food on your wedding anniversary, check out Cru’s (cruawinebar.com) selection of wines and excellent cuisine. “Wine Spectator” awarded them an award of excellence for wine selection paired with an excellent menu. Set up a private dinner or a wine tasting extravaganza for your anniversary party. The restaurant allows you to book the entire restaurant if you desire, or they will gladly cater for a location you choose. Make reservations and dress business casual for celebrations at their Allen, Plano or West village locations.

Fun and Music
For musical fun any Wednesday through Saturday night, hop over to Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar (petesduelingpianobar.com) on Beltline Road in Addison. The musicians amuse you with jokes and invite your to sing with them. They will roast you if you tell them it's your anniversary. If you want to eat, come on the weekend or eat before you arrive on week days. They serve drinks and set-ups any night. Dress casual and bring tip money for the entertainers. You will laugh and sing your way through the evening at this establishment awarded four stars by CitySearch.

Five-Star Destination
Dine at the Adolphus Hotel's The French Room (hoteladolphus.com) any Tuesday through Saturday evening. The restaurant received 29 out of 30 points on the Zagat’s Survey to win its highest restaurant rating and five diamonds from AAA. Expect to spend approximately $100 for dinner for two, but you will find the atmosphere and food worth the price. Men must wear jackets and they don’t allow denim or sneakers.

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The Date Ideas for Tired Parents

You and your spouse know that scheduling regular opportunities to reconnect romantically is important to your relationship. And you look forward to a break from the kids once in a while. But after working all week, maybe the idea of a high-energy, high-stakes date night is just not appealing. Maybe cuddling on the couch sounds more your speed. Well, there's nothing wrong with that -- or with trying out another low-key date night idea that doesn't require fancy outfits, lots of prep time or planning ahead. Remember it's the connection that counts.

Dinner and a Movie -- In
Even if you're too tired to leave the house, you can have a romantic date night for two. Order pizza or other takeout for the family, then tuck the kids in bed, cook up a big bowl of popcorn and watch an R-rated movie together while snuggling close -- share an afghan if it's a chilly night. These days, with on-demand and streaming services galore, you don't even need to plan out the movie selection ahead of time. Just browse until you see something that appeals to you both.

Try the Drive-In
If you're lucky enough to have an operating drive-in movie theater nearby, by all means make a date to check it out. Stash some snacks on the dashboard and cuddle close on the front seat. Making out is encouraged, although bobby socks and poodle skirts are optional.

Visit a Gallery
Art show openings and museums are quiet and usually uncrowded, and often feature free snacks and wine. Many art museums are starting to offer either late hours or after-hours events for couples who want to spend a little time together in the evening. Or you can always turn your date night into an afternoon event.

Play a Game
Card games and board games are a great way to spend an evening together. Forget Candyland and break out an old favorite like Scrabble or Monopoly. Go Fish! can be surprisingly rewarding, too. This could be another stay-at-home idea. But if your town has a game store or a club that meets regularly at a bar or coffeehouse, this kind of low-key outing may be just the thing.

Hit Up Happy Hour
Hire the babysitter for the early part of the evening and head straight from work to happy hour at a local bar. Order a fancy cocktail and nibble on some bar snacks as you unwind from your day job -- together. It costs less than dinner out on the town and it's often less crowded, too.

Sip a Late-Night Latte
Alternatively, wait until the kids are asleep, then have the babysitter hold the fort while you and your partner slip out to a late-night coffeehouse for an after-dinner pick-me-up and maybe a spot of dessert. Sip slowly, linger at your table and indulge in some adult conversation together. Extended bouts of gazing romantically into each other's eyes is another possible perk.

Listen to Live Music
Speaking of coffeehouses, many casual establishments such as cafes and bars will host live acoustic music shows on certain nights. Sometimes the shows are free -- although the band will usually pass the hat -- and some nights there's a small cover fee. Regardless, this is a cheap and relaxed way to hear local musicians live. Maybe you'll even be inspired to get up and slow dance with your sweetie for a song.

Take a Walk
You might have to drive somewhere to find someplace walkable, or you might be lucky enough to live in a neighborhood suited for strolling. You can plan your walk for daylight or nighttime, depending on your preference. You'll get out of the house, you'll be indulging in some light exercise and you'll have your partner by your side. Hold hands and take your time.

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Register for Marriage in USA

It is important to register for a marriage with the local government prior to the wedding ceremony.
marriage image by Mykola Velychko from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
In order to prepare for a marriage in the United States, you must first register for marriage with your local government. State laws regarding marriage change frequently and have different requirements for paperwork, fees and waiting periods.

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Call your local government office, such as the registrar or office of public records.

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Ask how many months of a waiting period you have before you can register your wedding. Some governments require three months before the wedding date, while others only require a few days.

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Request a list of necessary documents and required fees that the office deems necessary in order to apply for a marriage license or find them online at the office's website.

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Prepare a list of the necessary documents, such as proof of birth name or legal name, proof of address, age and proof of any previous marital history, such as divorce paperwork or a death certificate if applicable.

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Bring the fees necessary to register for marriage in the U.S., such as payment via cash or credit cards. Personal checks are often not accepted.

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Bring a copy of the church's articles of incorporation, a statement with the location, information about the church's founding and the approximate size of the congregation if you choose to provide information to your church.

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Complete the registration by signing the registry and paying the applicable fee.

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Choose Loyal Woman for Marriage

Finding a woman to marry is a difficult task, particularly if you are looking for something specific. Loyalty is something hard to pin down, and many situations and temptations make up life as we know it, so we can't possibly predict the outcome of how someone will react in every situation. Apart from this being impossible, it would also be quite dull if we knew exactly what our partner would do in every situation. However, it is possible to find someone who is more predisposed to loyalty in relationships, and this is what should be concentrated on.

Question Yourself, Talk and Listen
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 Getting to know a woman, her background and her history will give you an insight into her level of loyalty.
Getting to know a woman, her background and her history will give you an insight into her level of loyalty.
Question closely what you are looking for in a woman. Think carefully about the attributes you think are important in a wife. Loyalty is obviously a priority, but think also of the other personality traits that will please you and complement you.

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Make a list of things you are looking for in a woman. Now go out on the dating scene or join a dating agency with specifics in your mind about what you want. If loyalty is the top priority when meeting women, question whether they are supportive of your needs and thoughts or whether they argued or debated with you. Question their history in relationships and find out if they have ever cheated or been disloyal. To avoid offending the woman ask how or why the relationship ended. People are usually willing to share this. If she doesn't want to talk about it, just change the subject to something more lighthearted.

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Talk to the woman about her family. If she is from a close family, and they have strong family bonds, it is likely that she will be more loyal as a partner, as she has strong feelings about family and loyalty herself. The key here is to find someone who feels as strongly about loyalty in a relationship as yourself.

Check With the Stars
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Go for women with sun signs that are supposed to be more loyal. The signs that are considered to be more loyal are the earth signs.

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Ask the woman her sun sign or her date of birth. The signs you are looking for are Taurus (April 20-May 20), Virgo (August 23-September 22) or Capricorn (December 22-January 19).

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Check out the qualities of the woman in question and see if she matches up to the "earthy" qualities that these three signs are supposed to embody. Qualities include: loyalty, rigidity, stability and consistency. Earth signs are also endowed with practicality, patience and persistence.

Chin Size and Monogamy
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Look at the size of the woman's chin. A study carried out by researchers, including Dr. Lorne Campbell (Western Ontario University) for "Personality and Individual Difference Journal," concluded that a large chin is the product of more male growth hormone, testosterone, and that women with larger chins were more sexually active.

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Check out the facial features of women you know and compare their chin size to what you know about their character. Consider whether the women with larger chins have more "masculine" characteristics.

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Take every piece of research of this nature with a pinch of salt. Nothing has been proven beyond doubt, and if you really like a woman and feel that she has the qualities you desire, you shouldn't reject her on the basis of a facial feature.

Tips & Warnings

Use your own judgment. The basis of a happy marriage is how well two people can get along over a long period of time.
Consider whether loyalty is more important than love. If love is more important, you should be prepared to take a risk on a woman.
No method is foolproof, and everyone is unique and different.

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Signs of Good Woman

When seeking a woman to make central in their lives, many men want to select a quality partner. While no amount of careful partner-hunting can ensure that the woman you pick ultimately makes you happy, there are some signs that might indicate that the woman in whom you are interested would make a high-quality mate. If you are currently in a relationship, or simply seeking someone new, be on the lookout for some features that are commonly characteristic of a good woman.

Demonstrates Willingness to Give
A good woman, like a good man, should not be supremely concerned with herself above all others. She should be willing to give to others both physically and emotionally. This willingness to give may appear as an eagerness to bestow presents during the holiday season or as a willingness to give time to those in need.

Doesn’t Often Anger
While everyone becomes angry from time to time, a good woman will likely not reach the state of anger quickly. Good women do not erupt in rage without provocation or become angry on a regular basis due to small problems that could easily be resolved calmly.

Takes Responsibility for Mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes, and a good woman takes responsibility for these errors. Instead of trying to hide from blame, she willingly admits when she has done something wrong and works to rectify the situation.

Considers the Feelings of Others
A good woman considers how her actions may lead others to feel and modifies her behavior as necessary to prevent avoidable sadness and anger in others. For example, if a woman of this caliber is upset about something, she may consider her partner’s feelings when determining how to approach the situation and elect to discuss the problem calmly instead of approaching the situation in a confrontational manner which may lead to the development of anger or resentment in her partner.

Has Large Network of Friends
Because a good woman is so kind and considerate to others, she will likely attract a large number of friends. If the woman that you are interested in appears to have a sizable assortment of friends, it is likely a sign that she is trustworthy and kind, as these individuals choose to form a relationship with her. It is also advantageous to consider what type of friends make up her network, as a woman who has an assortment of friends of varying shapes and sizes is likely one who is accepting of all people.

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Similarities Between Being Married & Single

There are distinct advantages to being married and to being single. It is worth noting, however, that it is not always a "one or the other" scenario, as many of the benefits often overlap. To that end, the courtship process is, in a sense, the unique time, with the single life and marriage serving as the bookends.

Comfort
The longer you are with someone, the more comfortable you get. At the other end of the spectrum is that relaxation and comfort in one's own skin are also hallmarks of the single life. While you ideally will do your part to keep the romance alive, the fact remains that you are no longer faced with the pressures of the dating world regarding superficial matters, such as whether or not your hair is perfect.

Self Awareness
When subjected to the rigors of the dating scene, people all too often let their love lives define them. When you're single, you are free to become who you want to become without the pressure of trying to impress a partner. The same is true in marriage. Granted, you love each other and want to make each other happy, but thanks to the mutual respect and support that a good marriage provides, you are able to once again be who you want to be.

Annoying Behaviors
You may become more comfortable with your marriage partner as time goes by, but the fact remains that familiarity breeds contempt. Fighting "like an old married couple" is a common practice, not just an old saying. For the single person, there's the issue of roommates and friends and family who wonder what's wrong with them because they're not married. When dating someone, infatuation allows annoying behaviors to temporarily masquerade as cute.

Financial Stability
When you're single, you are essentially in control of your own financial destiny. The courtship ritual can be very expensive, leading many to spend money that they don't have in order to woo someone. Married people also have the potential to enjoy more financial freedom, given their dual incomes or higher tax returns, to name a few. The latter is especially true if they have kids.

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Disadvantages of Marriage for Women

Deciding to marry a person is one of the most far-reaching decisions you will ever make. Your marriage, whether successful or not, will have long-lasting repercussions on your future relationships and can affect your employment, income and educational goals. Getting married comes with many advantages, but it is important to consider the disadvantages before taking the plunge. Understanding the possible negative effects of a marriage can help ensure you make the right decision.

Time Constraints
Being married requires that both parties find time to focus on the marriage. If you and your spouse cannot make time for one another, you are likely going to have a rocky marriage. This means that you may have to put some of your educational, social or professional habits aside as you make room in your schedule for your new spouse. If you are not ready to compromise your time, you may not be ready for marriage.

Financial Issues
Once you marry someone, the spouse's financial problems become yours. If you are a young professional woman with a good sense of budgeting and are great at managing your money, you may want to take a careful look at the financial situation you will be creating by getting married. While finances should not take precedence over love and compassion, it is important to understand what will happen to your budget once you sign the marriage document.

Abuse
While spousal abuse is not specific to marriage and can be directed against men as well as women, it is particularly dangerous when it occurs between a married couple. Married women who suffer spousal abuse will find that separating from their partner will require months of legal work and could end up costing a large sum of money -- on top of any emotional damage that's incurred. If your boyfriend shows any signs of emotional or physical abuse, get out of the relationship and do not agree to be married.

Loss of Control
When you marry, you lose the ability to make decisions for yourself. While you can still make minor decisions on your own, large decisions like having children, taking a vacation or moving to a new city will have to be joint operations. If a decision is made to have children, you can count on losing a significant portion of your work life unless your husband has decided to stay home and help. While professional moms are more common now than ever, child care still falls largely in the hands of the mother.

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Difference of Being Married & Single

Living the single life can be dramatically different from being married. A marriage traditionally marks the beginning of a family, but being single usually means you are free to roam as you please. The differences between married and single life range from very small to very large, but there are a few core contrasts that serve to illustrate the main differences between the two lifestyles.

Independence
Once you are married, you no longer exist as an independent entity. You might keep your job and your relationship might be excellent, but from your wedding onward you must always think as a husband and wife. The decisions you make affect your future together. The things you buy have an impact on both of your finances. Everything you do must be considered from your husband or wife's point of view. When you are single, you only have to consider your own interests when making decisions, but you are also short the emotional support that makes hard decisions easier to bear.

Money
Getting married can have significant monetary benefits, but it also can be quite costly. Married couples receive a tax break and benefit from the ability to pool their financial resources. Mortgage and rent payments are split. Single individuals receive no tax break and must cover their living costs on their own. On the downside for married couples, single people can spend money when and where they see fit without worrying about an angry spouse.

Free Time
Being married is a lot like a second job. You have to work at it for it to be successful. Married couples need dedicated time to communicate with one another and help each other with their emotional and physical demands. Because of this, married people usually have less free time to spend hanging out with friends or checking out the latest movie. If you are single, you have more free time but also might find that your free time is not as fun without someone with which to spend it.

The Future
One of the core elements of marriage is that in most cases it symbolizes the beginning of a family. Married couples spend more time discussing the future --- how to save money, what sort of career choices to make and when to start thinking about children. Married people are more concerned with their future ability to raise their family than many single individuals who do not have to worry about much beyond their monthly expenses.

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Questions to Ask Future Husband

No one likes the feeling that they are trapped in a marriage they don't want. One way to avoid this is to ask your future husband the right questions. While asking where he sees himself in 10 years may seem cliché, it gives you an idea of what type of life he wants for himself and if it meshes with yours.

Housing and Jobs
Unless you cohabitate, once you marry, someone has to move. You may want to find a new place together. Knowing where you are going to live helps ease stress after the wedding. Ask your future husband if he wants to move, where he'd like to live and the pros and cons of his current home. He may own a house that won't sell in the current market or may need to break a lease. This also is when you should ask about jobs. You don't want to buy a house if neither of you plan to stay at your current jobs. In addition, is he willing to move to accommodate your job and are you willing to do the same?

Birth Control and Children
Some couples change their forms of birth control after marriage. A woman may not want to stay on the pill for years, for example. Discuss when you plan to have children, if you want children, childcare options, who would stay home and other factors involving a family. The decision about children can affect birth control options. For example, if you both want a child, you can stop using it.

Housework and Yard Work
As stereotypical as it may sound, many couples argue over who does the dishes and vacuums. Establish the chores around the home early. For example, if you cannot cook but your husband can, he can cook dinner while you do the dishes. Split up the housework and yard work evenly to avoid fights. If one person starts to slack, the other needs to say something. If your future husband is steadfast in the belief that a woman cooks and cleans and you disagree, you may need to reconsider marriage. It only leads to fighting.

Goals
Ask your future husband about his goals for the future. If he has dreams of traveling around the world, they may not coincide with your career path. In addition, ask what he's willing to do to help you accomplish your goals. For example, if you want to go back to school, is he willing to support you through it or would you support him if he decided to do the same?

Money
Knowing each other's spending habits and credit history may seem intrusive, but it's vital. Two excessive spenders will probably have a harder time saving up for major purchases than savers. A saver also may have a problem with a spender using too much money. Look at each other's finances to come up with a plan about how to pay the bills. Some couples split the bills in half and pay out of their own accounts, while some pay a percentage of the bills based on their salaries. There are different ways to handle it, but the point is to agree on the method.

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Disadvantages of Early Marriage

Marriage can provide a great deal of stability in a relationship, giving spouses certain legal and monetary advantages, as well as bringing them closer together emotionally. But marriage isn't the best option for everyone, and has certain disadvantages for younger couples. The average age for a first marriage in the US is 27 for women and 29 for men -- roughly six to seven years older than first marriages of previous decades. However some couples still choose to get married much younger -- sometimes right out of high school.

Sense of Self
One disadvantage of early marriage is that younger people haven't had the opportunity to explore themselves much beyond their families, or small groups of friends. In order to develop a keen sense of self, one that is capable of contributing fully to a relationship, some discovery is needed about interests and goals. Giving each other several years to uncover these likes and dislikes will go a long way in bringing together more mature partners in a marriage.

Goals
When it comes to goals, you may know what you want to do right after high school. In fact, you may have your entire career mapped out -- right down to retirement. But funny things can happen when you go to college or start your chosen career. You may find that the path you chose doesn't suit you at all. Instead of a 9-to-5 job, you may want one that allows you to travel the world, for example. If your spouse isn't keen on going with you, it may spell trouble for your marriage.

Commonalities
It's easy to have things in common when you attend the same school, have the same friends, and live in the same town. Unfortunately, this can create a false picture of all the aspects of life that you share with your spouse, or future spouse. You may find that when you are alone together -- without the benefit of common pursuits -- that your true interests or perspectives just don't mesh.

Finances
Meager finances are a major pitfall of marrying too early. If you want a nice wedding, the average cost is $25,000. Then there are student loans to consider, relocating costs, and even possible child care expenses. Younger people aren't likely to be at the point in their career when they can easily shoulder such burdens. This can cause fighting and tension that leads young married couples to divorce.

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Gender Roles in Marriage

The traditional gender roles of men and women play a large part in marriage and family dynamics. Generally speaking, gender roles are set forth by society, but they can change as the times change. In the United States, the gender roles of both men and women in marriage have changed greatly over the centuries. The economy has also had a large affect on gender roles.

History
When immigrants founded and settled in the New World, they brought their established gender roles with them. European settlers added to these original gender roles when they began farming and setting up both family units and towns. At this time, the wife was considered the caregiver and the husband was relied on to support his family.

Women's Role
Traditionally, the wife works a part-time or full-time job until she has children; at that point, she leaves behind her job or career to stay at home and raise her kids. In most marriages, most household responsibilities fall on the wife's shoulders, including cooking and cleaning. However, many women dislike this aspect of their marriage and feel angry about taking on all of the household responsibilities.

Men's Role
In a marriage, and in a family, the man's traditional role is to provide for the family, earning money by working a full-time job. Men are expected to provide information and guidance relating to sports, careers and financial matters. Unfortunately, this role of implied power has given men the assumed personality traits of being aggressive and controlling, as well.

Changes
As more women entered the workforce in the 20th century, decisions that once were solely the husband's began to be made by both husband and wife, together. Additionally, current gender roles stress working together in terms of child care, household responsibilities and earning money. In same-sex relationships or marriages, and in the case of a couple who live together but aren't married, household chores and responsibilities tend to be shared more often than in man-woman marriages.

Decisions
However a couple decides to live, one thing is certain---in order to have a happy, healthy marriage, both parties must agree on gender roles. Whether a couple sticks with the traditional gender roles of the 1950s, where the men worked while the women spent their days at home, or goes with modern gender roles, when most responsibilities are shared, both the husband and wife have to view gender roles the same way.

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Prepare Yourself for Marriage With Christian Husband

Preparing yourself for marriage with an ardently Christian man involves several special considerations. If the two of you have the same core beliefs, you are working on establishing a foundation for your relationship and your future family that is rooted in the Bible and God's teachings. Preparing yourself for marriage with a Christian husband involves prayer, practice, and wisdom when it comes to what kind of a man you want to be with for the rest of your life.

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Pray for God's will. Praying for God's will is an important part of preparing yourself for marriage with a Christian husband. While you may have an idea of what kind of a guy you would like to be with, if you are a Christian, praying for God's will will give you peace, patience and understanding where you do not have any. When you say this prayer you are asking God to bring the right man in your life, and at the right time.

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Use wisdom. Using your wisdom when it comes to dating guys with your beliefs will spare you grief, heartache and time. You may be falling head over heels for a man who does not share your faith, but it is vital that you do not let your emotions overpower your convictions. While your feelings may be strong, they will eventually fade, leaving you with a man whose core beliefs you do not share.

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Sacrifice for others. Sacrificing for others now will put you in a good place to sacrifice for your marriage in the future. It is easy to have an idealistic view of marriage, picturing that everything will be perfect and you will never have a difficult time. However, marriage involves a lot of giving, and if you are used to letting go of what you want for the good of others, you will have a better marriage.

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Make a list of important qualities in a husband. Writing out what you are looking for in a husband and refusing to compromise on certain core issues is a good way to prepare yourself for marriage. The things you are looking for do not have to be very specific or superficial; qualities that have to do with beliefs and perspectives are far more valuable. Furthermore, when you feel inspired by a relationship you observe, add some of its characteristics to your list.

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Practice what you believe. This is foundational to preparing yourself for marriage with a Christian husband. You may say that you believe certain things, but if you do not practice them, your statements are empty and fruitless. Doing what you say you will do, keeping your promises and only preaching what you practice will prepare you for marriage with a Christian husband.

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What is a Trophy Wife

Pretty face, beautiful body, a plastic smile and an empty brain -- so went the description of a trophy wife. Lately, though, perceptions have changed. Today's trophy wives are intellectually brilliant and prolific achievers, according to ABC News and "Psychology Today" magazine. The progress of women and changing of attitudes in men have elevated the status of a trophy wife from mere arm candy to a powerful presence.

Professional Success
Income and professional status are indicators of a trophy wife, according to the article "The New Trophy Wife" in "Psychology Today." Men are increasingly interested in women drawing a similar or higher salary than themselves. The increasing preference of men to have a partner with the same qualifications and the fluctuating economic conditions are reasons for the change what is considered a trophy wife. Men need women that can share the financial burden of supporting a family and take part in decision-making. The article also talks about a research carried out by University of Albany sociologist Scott South on what men regard as most important in their prospective partners. The research that studied men in the age group of 19 to 35 reveals that men prefer professionally stable women the most; women's ages, racial and religious origins, as well as marital status and the presence of children, were lower on the priority list.

Achievements
The trophy wife is a woman with an education equivalent to or higher than that of her husband. A Ph.D., a self-made entrepreneur or other achievements are notable accomplishments that the modern male expects in his trophy wife. Men are increasingly attracted to women that possess intelligence equivalent to or sometimes greater than theirs. Looks and appearance have taken a backseat when it comes to deciding the trophy wife; men are looking for women equal to them in mind and intellect. Men with power seek equally powerful women, and since intellectual strength equates power today, it's women with brains that rule.

Personality Traits
Trophy wives are achieving women with pleasing personalities that make their husbands the object of envy. Ambition, enthusiasm and motivation are all looked for in a trophy wife. Intelligence, good social skills and the ability to present oneself well are other admirable qualities. Many men are inspired by their high-achieving mothers, and look for the same drive for success in their brides.

Be Forthright with Your Expectations
For those looking for a trophy wife, it is important to be clear on what you expect in your future spouse. Discuss fundamental issues such as money and sex prior to marriage, explaining what you are going to bring into the relationship, as well as her responsibilities. This discussion is even more important if there are children involved.

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Phases of Love Relationship

Long-term relationships are not a smooth sail with a “happily ever after” ending, as most couples imagine. The attraction stage of a relationship is only the beginning, and there is much to follow. You need to go through several difficult phases and tests of time to survive a committed relationship. There are times when you feel confused and frustrated. Being aware of the normal stages of a committed relationship helps you understand what to expect and cope better.

Mills & Boon Romance Stage
This is the start of a love relationship, and one of the best stages of romance. It is a typical "romance novel love," where there is intense attraction between you and your lover. You feel you have found “the one.” She is perfect in your eyes without any flaws, as are you to her. You spend time thinking about her, talking to her and losing yourself in her eyes. You ooze love and affection for each other, and believe that this is how your future is going to be; there certainly are not going to be any fights in your relationship, you are sure. You don’t really put in any hard work toward your relationship at this stage, as love comes easy for both of you and you see only the positive in the other person. This stage lasts from six months to a maximum of two years, and is the shortest phase in a love relationship.

Reality Stage
You begin to see each other for what you are, flaws and all. Qualities that were once endearing become unbearable in the light of reality. His personal habits disgust you, you suddenly find him dominating and he has become insensitive to your feelings. You feel betrayed because your partner is not the one you expected him to be. Neither of you is willing to adjust; each wants the other to take the first step. Anger, bitterness and eventually resentment for each other creep into the relationship. Differences in opinions arise, leading to conflicts. The reality confuses and frightens you, and you start thinking of breaking off the relationship.

Analysis Stage
This is the stage where you analyze your relationship. You are wiser about yourself and your spouse. You now know his real nature and where he falls short. Questions such as “Is he really worth it?” and “Will I be able to adjust, and do I really want to?” emerge. Physical and emotional proximity decreases. This stage can result in a breakup or divorce. You also become most vulnerable to extramarital affairs, as there is a stark need for emotional fulfillment; if indulged, an affair can kill any possible chances of rebuilding the relationship with your spouse.

Restructuring Stage
Your relationship is reborn from the ashes of your past debacle, but you are more mature, and have a different perspective of the relationship. Each of you is aware of the differences between you. You make efforts to compromise where possible, and learn to accept differences that won’t change. You learn to give each other space to maintain your individuality, but create and share moments of happiness as a couple.

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