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I was reading this morning and came across this simple passage in Proverbs 5:18. Solomon wrote, "May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth." As I read this, I began to think back to when I first married Heather almost 20 years ago. We were so in love, blissfully ignorant of the trials that life was going to throw our way. We were excited to start our journey together, and I remember having so much energy and enthusiasm for life.

Sadly, life has a way of taking away a couple's momentum. Some of this happens as a couple starts a family, careers take a life of their own, or the cares of life began to erode at the couple's joy. Statics showing that Baby Boomers are divorcing at a higher rate than any other age seems to show how many couples have struggled to continue celebrating their marriage when their honeymoon is a long, distant memory.

On September 3rd, Heather and I will have been married for 20 years. I can boldly say that our friendship is better than it's ever been. Our passion for each other is just as strong as when we got married, and we genuinely enjoy being married to each other. This didn't happen accidentally, nor did we luck into a great marriage. Instead, we spent too many years struggling and being content with a marriage that seemed like a roller-coaster ride of highs and lows.

Our marriage turned around when we prioritized our relationship correctly and started celebrating all the amazing little things that make up a thriving marriage. We invested time in learning how to be better at loving each other. We pursued each other, went on dates, and attended marriage conferences. As we began to be intentional about celebrating our marriage, we reaped the rewards of a marriage worth celebrating.

The great thing is that any couple can experience a thriving marriage. There is no hidden secret that is unlocked by just a select few. The most important thing is for the couple to began celebrating each other. Even if your marriage isn't thriving, there is still something to be found worth praising and being thankful for. Start with the small things and make a big deal out of being able to simply hold your spouse's hand or spend a few minutes with them. Celebrate your spouse and watch your marriage transform.