Creating a Covenant Marriage

I love what Elder Bruce C. Hafen, shared in his talk, "Covenant Marriage."

After reading this talk I am left with two questions. 1. What am I already doing to have a covenant marriage? 2. What can I do better to ensure that my marriage is a covenant marriage?

I was sealed to my sweetheart just over 9 months ago in the Sacramento, CA temple. That day was filled with so much love and many wonderful emotions. But Honestly, because I had so many emotions going into the sealing room, afterwords I couldn't really remember anything the sealer said. Did I feel good about what I just promised to my husband and to God? Yes, I had a great feeling but I couldn't remember any specific things the sealer said.

Feeling guilty about this I expressed how I felt to my husband on the drive home from the temple. He comforted me and told me "Well guess what? We get to keep going back. And each time we do sealings we get to hear the words of what we promised to each other today "

(OKAY first off can we just take a moment an appreciate how sweet he is! All heart eyes over here!)

But seriously how beautiful is that? We get to go back to the temple and help others become sealed to their sweethearts while hearing the same promises we made on our wedding day. This is something my husband and I try to do at least once a month. This is something that I have noticed has helped us have a covenant marriage. Life can get crazy but when we are in the temple focusing on what we promised each other 9 months ago my heart is full and still.

This goes along with remembering why we are married. We didn't get married just because we thought it was fun. We got married because we love each other and want to learn and go together. We got married because we want to send eternity together.

Something that I have noticed since being married is because I love my husband so much I am much faster to forgive and move on. We definitely have our challenges and fights but because of the love I have for him we forgive and make up. Honestly, most of the time I can't even remember what we were fighting about withing the next few hours or next day. The love I feel for him is different than any other love I have felt before. This helps me want to be a better person and want to forgive in our relationship.

What can I do better to have a covenant marriage?

I feel as though this starts with little things. We can have better intent when it comes to things like; praying, scripture study and church attendance. I have noticed that when we do these things well it helps create a better feeling in our marriage.

I can also look at the bigger picture when I am upset about something in the moment. Is it worth is to act out of frustration or anger? Should I cause contention in my relationship. When I slow down and think of the basics it helps me love my husband more and see him as someone I am learning and growing with rather than going against. I need to see him as Christ would.  

Coming out of the temple on our wedding day