The Definition Of A 'Happy Marriage,' According To People In Them (2024)

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The Definition Of A 'Happy Marriage,' According To People In Them (1)

by Jillian Kramer, BRIDES

A happy marriage is a co*cktail of open communication, honesty, hard work, and a whole lotta love. But what does that look like in real life? Five wives open up about what a happy marriage means to them, because they're living it!

1. "A happy marriage is being happy with what you've got, rather than expecting your marriage to be a certain way," says one married woman. "Being content and grateful for what you have, instead of constantly trying to live up to some unrealistic standard set by movies and romance novels, is real happiness."

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2. "In a happy marriage, two people share things equally," says another married woman. "It doesn't sound romantic, but I'm honestly happy because my husband does the dishes and the laundry as often as I do. We cook together, we run errands together. I don't feel burdened, and I don't feel taken for granted."

3. "We talk about everything, and I think that's what a happy marriage is," says one wife. "I've had relationships in which I felt like I had to keep secrets from my partner, but I can tell my husband anything. I like that I can be open about my feelings, and know that we'll work through whatever it is together."

4. "This is my second marriage and it's happy, unlike the first, because we are totally honest with one another," says another woman. "Whether we aren't thrilled with what's happening in the bedroom or we're concerned over money, we spit it all out and then work it out."

5. "I think a happy marriage is about forgiveness," says another married woman. "No one is perfect and if you can just let go of the little things and move on from the bigger things, like arguments, with a forgiving rather than begrudging heart, you're in really good shape."

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The Definition Of A 'Happy Marriage,' According To People In Them (2)

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The Definition Of A 'Happy Marriage,' According To People In Them (2024)

FAQs

The Definition Of A 'Happy Marriage,' According To People In Them? ›

Characteristics of a happy marriage. Happiness can be a subjective term—but many people agree that a healthy marriage depends on open communication, gratitude, equality, honesty, and commitment.

How do you define a happy marriage? ›

There are many factors that contribute to a satisfying marriage/relationship such as; Love, Commitment, Trust, Time, Attention, Good Communication including Listening , Partnership, Tolerance, Patience, Openness, Honesty, Respect, Sharing, Consideration, Generosity, Willingness/Ability to Compromise, Constructive ...

What is the meaning of happily married? ›

adverbshappily married (=in a happy relationship with your husband or wife)I have been happily married for nine years. unhappily married (=not in a happy relationship with your husband or wife)They were behaving like an unhappily married old couple.

What is the nice definition of marriage? ›

marriage, a legally and socially sanctioned union, usually between a man and a woman, that is regulated by laws, rules, customs, beliefs, and attitudes that prescribe the rights and duties of the partners and accords status to their offspring (if any).

What is the famous definition of marriage? ›

Marriage is a union between a man and a woman such that the children born to the woman are recognized as legitimate offspring of both partners (RAI, 1951).

What's the most important thing in a marriage? ›

Below are the three most important things in a marriage:
  • Commitment: Commitment is more than just wanting to stay together for a long time. ...
  • Love: While most couples start their relationships being in love, sustaining that feeling for each other takes effort, sacrifice, and generosity.

What is important for happy married life? ›

The ability to talk and listen to each other is one key to a healthy marriage. You should never assume your partner knows what you are thinking or feeling. Tell your spouse what is going on—and as a spouse, know when to simply listen. Learning to really hear your partner is a skill that may require practice.

Are there truly happy marriages? ›

The study found that overall (on average), 74%, or about 98 million Americans say they are happily married.

How can you tell if someone is happily married? ›

10 signs your husband is happily married
  1. He loves how he feels whenever he's with you. ...
  2. He lets you know he's thinking of you. ...
  3. He compliments you all the time. ...
  4. He never forgets to kiss you. ...
  5. He's always willing to offer a helping hand. ...
  6. He feels respected by you. ...
  7. He admires and appreciates you as a wife and mother.
Jan 10, 2017

What are the three promises of marriage? ›

The couple could promise each other to "love and cherish" or, alternatively, the groom promises to "love, cherish, and worship", and the bride to "love, cherish, and obey".

What is the biblical definition of marriage? ›

As first described in Genesis and later affirmed by Jesus, marriage is a God-ordained, covenant relationship between a man and a woman. This lifelong, sexually exclusive relationship brings children into the world and thus sustains the stewardship of the earth.

What is a marriage according to the Bible? ›

Marriage involves spiritual, emotional, and physical closeness. In the Old Testament, we are taught, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Married couples are meant to be unified in every possible way.

What makes a true marriage? ›

Marriages take work, commitment, and love, but they also need respect to be truly happy and successful. A marriage based on love and respect doesn't just happen. Both spouses have to do their part.

Is there a universal definition of marriage? ›

Marriage is a social institution existing in all societies but the characteristics vary from culture to culture. Several anthropologists have made an effort to define marriage universally, but none of them have been able to satisfactorily include all of its variations in a single definition.

How would define marriage in today's society? ›

In most societies, a marriage is considered a permanent social and legal contract and relationship between two people that is based on mutual rights and obligations among the spouses. A marriage is often based on a romantic relationship, though this is not always the case.

What is another word for "happily married"? ›

What is another word for happily married?
blissfully weddedcheerfully matched
contentedly coupleddelightedly wed
ecstatically unitedgleefully betrothed
joyfully marriedjoyously hitched
rapturously pairedsatisfactorily married
1 more row

Can you be happily married without love? ›

Many couples choose to live in a loveless marriage due to children, financial reasons, or simply the practicality of living under one roof. Whatever the case, know that a marriage without love stunts the growth of the two parties involved. In this case, you either stay or walk away.

What does happily married look like? ›

In a healthy marriage, a couple is supported by a partner who listens, respects, shares, and practices open and honest communication. They exhibit a willingness to compromise and are open to constructive criticism. In a healthy marriage, a couple feels happy and safe with their spouse.

How do you stay happily married? ›

Below are some important keys to work on each day to make your marriage successful.
  1. Communicate clearly and often. ...
  2. Tell your spouse that you're thankful for having them in your life. ...
  3. Make time for you two as a couple. ...
  4. Plan for some personal time. ...
  5. Understand that it's OK to disagree. ...
  6. Build trust. ...
  7. Learn to forgive.

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