Question: Last week, you explained the first nine principles of your Love Must Be Tough philosophy.
What are the remaining eight?
Answer: These are the remaining eight “Love Must Be Tough” principles that will help you avoid the common pitfalls among those who are trying to win the heart of another during the courtship phase:
10. Beware of blindness to obvious warning signs that tell you that your potential husband or wife is basically disloyal, hateful, spiritually uncommitted, hooked on drugs or alcohol, given to selfishness, etc. Believe me, a bad marriage is far worse than the most lonely instance of singleness.
11. Beginning early in the dating relationship, treat the other person with respect and expect the same in return.
A man should open doors for a woman on a formal evening; a woman should speak respectfully of her escort when in public, etc.
If you don’t preserve this respectful attitude when the foundations of marriage are being laid, it will be virtually impossible to construct them later.
12. Do not equate human worth with flawless beauty or handsomeness! If you require physical perfection in your mate, he or she may make the same demands of you. Neither of you will keep it for long. Don’t let love escape you because of the false values of your culture.
13. If genuine love has escaped you thus far, don’t begin believing “no one would ever want me.” That is a deadly trap that can destroy you emotionally! Millions of people are looking for someone to love. The problem is finding one another!
14. Regardless of how brilliant the love affair has been, take time to “check your assumptions” with your partner before committing yourself to marriage. It is surprising how often men and women plunge toward matrimony without ever becoming aware of major differences in expectations between them.
15. Sexual familiarity can be deadly to a relationship. In addition to the many moral, spiritual and physical reasons for remaining virgins until marriage, there are numerous psychological and interpersonal advantages as well. Though it’s an old-fashioned notion, perhaps, it is still true that men do not respect “easy” women and often become bored with those who have held nothing in reserve. Likewise, women often disrespect men who have only one thing on their minds. Both sexes need to remember how to use a very ancient word. It’s pronounced “no”!
16. Country singer Tom T. Hall wrote a song in which he revealed an understanding of the concept we have been describing.
His lyric read, “If you hold love too loosely then it flies away; if you hold love too tightly, it’ll die. It’s one of the mysteries of life.”
It has been said that the person who needs the other least will normally be in control of the relationship. I believe that to be true.
17. There is nothing about marriage that eliminates the basic need for freedom and respect in romantic interactions. Keep the mystery and the dignity in your relationship. If the other partner begins to feel trapped and withdraws for a time, grant him or her some space.
These are the basics of the “love must be tough” concept. I could list another hundred suggestions, but you get the idea.
James Dobson is founder and chairman emeritus of the nonprofit organization Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, Colo. 80995 (www.focusonthefamily.org).