The key to a happy marriage seems to be elusive.
We all wish we knew what it was.
It's not easy living day in and day out with the same person for many years.
Inevitably you both change during your time together and unfortunately, many once happy couples find themselves miles apart emotionally.
If you're one of the many millions of people uttering the phrase, "I want to know how to keep my marriage together," take heart.
There doesn't have to be a painful divorce in your future.
You can take the foundation of love and compassion that is already there and build on that so you and your spouse have a fulfilling, committed and happy relationship.
Obviously communication has to be at the top of your list of priorities if you hope to keep your marriage together.
You and your spouse can't solve a thing if you're not talking to each other.
Many couples find it beneficial to plan a time each day to just talk.
It should be when things are quiet around the home.
This might mean having breakfast with one another before the children wake up or making time before bed.
The key is really to just share your experiences and your feelings.
Try to absorb everything your spouse shares with you and learn from that.
It's easy to become complacent and tune them out, but this is much too important.
Without healthy communication your marriage is bound to fail.
You have to clearly define your roles within the relationship if you want to learn how to keep a marriage together.
Obviously, you are husband and wife but if you're also dad and mom, the lines between those can become blurred.
Many couples lose their romantic spark once children come into the picture.
Youngsters change the dynamic of the connection and take much of the focus away from the primary relationship.
If you feel more connected with your spouse on a parenting level than you do on a romantic partner level, that has to be addressed.
The two of you need to nurture your relationship as a married couple.
Never lose sight of the person you married and all that they mean to you.
Strive to have fun with one another again.
Remember those adventurous dates you two used to go on when you first met? Rediscover those individuals again.
Plan some carefree outings with each other.
They don't have to be extravagant or costly.
A simple trip to the local ice cream parlor to share a banana split is ideal.
Or perhaps you could pack a picnic at home and then go to the favorite spot you two used to hang out at when you were young.
Date again.
It will help rebuild the bond that's been lost.