Marriage 101.

LONG POST ALERT*****
I dont know why i decided to blog about relationship and its issues but i guess it's just something i have been passionate about and also willing to learn more about. Hoping this would be a perfect medium. Been in the business for about 8 years so i presume i know a little bit.

There are a lot of definitions of marriage but i found these 2 below interesting and true:

1. The social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies.

2. A relationship in which two people have pledged themselves to each other in the manner of a husband and wife without legal sanction.

So whichever way you choose to define marriage, it is definitely a decision that should be made by both parties involved. But i have come to observe that many people are more concerned about the ceremonies involved in getting hooked rather than worrying about what actually happens thereafter. I find it rather appalling to hear of "talk of the town" weddings crashing just few months after and when you find out what actually happened, its unbelievable.
Here are 2 cases:
Case 1:
Lady was introduced to guy by cousin over the phone, lady travels round the world to meet guy, both "clicked" and guy moved to the states. Both lived together for a while, guy insists on a big wedding and finally after about 7months and a beautiful son, guy decides lady is too ugly to be his wife( he literally said so) and moved out.....Marriage hit the rocks.

Case 2:
Guy and Lady met, liked and dated for a while, very glamorous wedding( the society big timers were all invited). Guy hit lady once, the wedding is over; apparently lady has always hit guy most times they disagreed and he retaliates once they were married.

Pls note, i have no intention to make mockery of the parties involved but just want to butress my point. I personally believe more effort and hard work should be devoted to marriage so as to make it successful.
Few Tips:
1. Put God first ! ( you dont have to be a staunch xtian to do this)
2. Attend some form of marriage counseling.
3. Respect each other.
4. Women, yes women, HUMBLE yourselves. ( Not withstanding your spouse's age)
5. Think before you speak.( Words are like broken glass, can not be put back together once its shattered).
6. Make Divorce the last option.

I could go on and on, but this are just a few tips that have helped us so far.......
Please readers feel free to add any other piece of advice you think i missed and like i said ealier, feel free to criticize.