Been married this time for 25 years. Relationships are as different as people. But a few things, that have worked for me. I work hard at trying to get along, but sometimes remind her, that I´m not a total chump. Warn her of the consequences, if she insists on a position, I find unreasonable. Give her a chance to do the right thing, then don´t back down, no matter what.
My criteria for friendship, are as simple as they are total. Bail me out of jail, right or wrong. Is she gonna be there, if you get terminal cancer and vice versa. Is she a good mother to our children? Wether she is the ideal spouse, is kind of secondary in my list of priorities. Having too much in common, in my mind, makes for a weaker team. A team that compliments (her strong points, together with yours) is stronger than the individual, and is more appropriate, than marrying a clone of yourself (or your mother
).
She is my best friend and would die for her children. My ideal soul mate, would probably bore me to tears, in short order anyway :idea: .
The only thing that has ever seriously, dented our relationship, is she will sometimes, let her girlfriends and/or sisters, influence her into taking unreasonable positions. Two or three against one. It usually ends, when I remind her, all of her girlfriends and/or sisters, are divorced.
Nice to have a mediator around, a GrandMa that has been married to the same man forever, is often a good choice.