I have been voraciously reading Karen Kingsbury books, namely three series about "the Baxter family"--the Redemption series, the Firstborn series, and the Sunrise series. I'm waiting for the last book to become available, but wanted to share some info that Karen put in to one of her books, as noted below. I love that she uses the vehicle of fiction to pass along Biblical truth. (These are found on pages 239 & 240 of Forever, published by Tyndale in 2007.)

Ten Secrets to a Happy Marriage
From Forever, by Karen Kingsbury
(influenced by Gary Smalley)

1. God has you here to serve one another. Love acted out is serving
2. Women need respect and nurturing. Love your wife so she knows you’d lay your life down for her. Continue to date her and admire her. Share a hobby—find something you can do to have fun together.
3. Laugh often.
4. Be patient. Love crumbles quickly under the weight of unmet expectations.
5. Spend more time trying to fix yourself than your spouse.
6. Keep short accounts. The Bible says, “Do not let the sun go down while you are angry.” Make it a habit to forgive.
7. Determine up front that divorce is not an option.
8. Learn about love languages. Not all people show love or receive it the same way. You want a back rub and your spouse wants a clean kitchen. The love languages are fairly simple: acts of service; time; physical touch; gifts; and words of affirmation. Learn them. Love is better received when it’s in the language that person speaks.
9. Words of affirmation are a love language for all men.
10. Men are born to be leaders. He cannot lead unless she gives him the confidence to do so. If you love your husband, build him up. Confident men do not seek love outside the home.