Turning Towards One Another

I have to agree with this quote by the Doctrinal Pattern of Adam and Eve: No Misery, No Joy,

"But most newly married couples can hardly grasp what awaits them when they happily walk, arm in arm, from the garden like temple grounds. If they did realize what lies ahead, they would probably walk more slowly, like Adam and Eve, driven from Eden, bowed down in unspoken sorrow."(The Doctrinal Pattern of Adam and Eve)

I have been married for over 12 years and had some up and downs but I have recently gone through my biggest trail. The article by a BYU student, "Turn Toward One Another" reminds me a little of my story. My husband got caught up in being the soul provider and didn't think he needed to be involved. It wasn't until my daughters started to do chores that they felt cheated. They thought they were pulling all the weight around the house. I would tell them how I did most of it while they were at school but then they were curious as to what Dad did? This was a waking point for me. What was my husband doing for us besides providing for the family. He had time, Right? This wasn't the only problem we had. "Up to now, your first question has naturally been "what is best for me"—how to use your time, money, school, work, whatever. But after your wedding, the biggest question is, "What is best for our marriage, our family?" And that is a very hard thing to learn." (The Doctrinal Pattern of Adam and Eve) 

After a recent traumatic event in our marriage, we woke up our marriage and we learned to Turn Towards one another. My husband and I learned to do "what is best for our marriage, our family".  According to John M. Gottman, he says about turning towards one another, "A tendency to turn toward your partner is the basis of trust, emotional connection, passion, and a satisfying sex life" (The Seven Principles for making Marriage Work). In my marriage we help each other out with chores, grocery shopping, helping children with homework, and dropping/picking up kids from school.  "The Lord taught Adam and Eve not only that they should "cleave" to one another but that they must live and bear children in the sorrow, sweat, and thorns of mortality."(The Doctrinal Pattern of Adam and Eve) I love it when eve turns to Adam after they both have taken the fruit and she says, "it is best that we may past through sorrow that we may know the good from the evil". It reminds me that pain, suffering, hardship is the will of God that we may know Joy. What do you do to Turn Towards One Another in your marriage?

Cited:

Gottman, J.M., & Silver, N. (2015). The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work (Revised). New York: Harmony Books. 

" Lamentation," By Arta Romney Ballif, sister to President Marion G. Romney.

Bruce C. Hafen, Covenant Hearts: Chapter six. The Doctrinal Pattern of Adam and Eve: No misery, No joy.