I am not a relationship expert, but I do bring the perspective of experience. My wife and I have been married for over thirty years. When we bought our first home, there were eighteen couples in our neighborhood. Today, we are the only couple still together. That reality has forced me to reflect deeply on why so many relationships struggle, and what it means for families and society.

The Roots of the Problem

Too often, couples enter marriage with unrealistic expectations. Media, culture, and even well-meaning family paint a picture of love as effortless bliss. But real life brings financial strain, career challenges, children, health issues, and everyday stress. Without strong communication and a willingness to grow together, those pressures can drive people apart.

At the beginning, many couples also skip the hard conversations, about values, money, children, and long-term goals. Chemistry and attraction may ignite the spark, but alignment and teamwork sustain the fire.

The Importance of Maintenance

One of the biggest oversights is that people often invest heavily in the wedding, but not in the marriage. Just like a financial plan or a family legacy, a relationship requires regular attention, review, and adjustments. The strongest partnerships aren’t those without challenges, they’re the ones where both partners intentionally invest time, energy, and care year after year.

Do We Need a New Model?

The traditional “till death do us part” model is colliding with modern realities. People live longer, expectations for personal fulfillment are higher, and society is less tolerant of staying in unhappy or unhealthy marriages. This doesn’t mean commitment is obsolete. It does mean couples need better tools, intentional check-ins, relationship education, and a mindset of continuous investment in each other.

The Cost of Failure

When marriages collapse, families feel it first. Children face instability, emotional strain, and sometimes difficulty forming secure relationships themselves. On a larger scale, society absorbs the ripple effect: weaker family bonds, greater financial pressures on single-parent households, and reduced community cohesion.

Yet, there is hope. Strong, purpose-driven marriages have a greater propensity to thrive. They become anchors for families, role models for children, and cornerstones for communities.

Moving Forward With Purpose

At Plan for Purpose, our mission isn’t to give relationship advice but to help individuals and families live with clarity, resilience, and vision. Whether it’s planning for financial security, navigating life transitions, or creating a lasting legacy, the principles are the same: be intentional, communicate clearly, and keep purpose at the center.

Because whether in marriage, family, or finance, purpose is what sustains us when the pressures of life show up.

Book a one-on-one session with us at https://planforpurpose.com to determine how our services align with your goals. Also purchase a copy of our book “More Than Just a Payout: How Life Insurance Builds Security and Opportunity at https://a.co/d/eAEQe78

#Marriage #Family #Legacy #PlanForPurpose #LifePlanning #Resilience #PurposeDrivenLiving