5 promises every couple should make before marriage

• Respect should remain at the heart of every disagreement, with couples choosing communication over insults, blame and resentment.

• Protecting the relationship requires boundaries, including keeping private matters between partners and not allowing outsiders to create unnecessary tension.

• Marriage requires continuous effort and growth, especially when the initial excitement fades and everyday responsibilities take over.

Marriage is more than the excitement of getting engaged, planning a wedding and finally saying “I do.” It is also about deciding how you want to treat each other when life becomes difficult.

Before walking down the aisle, there are some promises worth making to each other, not just about love, but about how you will handle the less glamorous parts of marriage.

Here are five promises every couple should consider.

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You will disagree. You may even get angry with each other.

But being upset should never become an excuse for insults, humiliation, name-calling or deliberately hurting each other. Promise to deal with the problem without attacking the person.

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Small issues can become big problems when they are repeatedly ignored.

Promise to talk about what is bothering you instead of keeping everything inside until you eventually explode. Honest conversations, even uncomfortable ones, can prevent resentment from building.

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Family and friends can offer advice, but your relationship should not become a public discussion.

Agree on what stays between the two of you and be careful about allowing outsiders to create unnecessary tension between you.

A wise couple knows that marriage needs boundaries.

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The early days of a relationship can be full of dates, gifts, sweet messages and excitement. But marriage also has bills, responsibilities, stress and ordinary days.

Promise to keep making time for each other and showing affection, even when life becomes routine.

Promise each other: 'We will not stop dating just because we got married.'

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Marriage requires two people who are willing to learn and change.

If a habit is hurting your partner or damaging the relationship, “This is just how I am” should not be the end of the conversation. Promise to listen, grow and work on yourself when necessary.

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A wedding can celebrate the beginning of a marriage, but the promises you keep afterwards are what help build it.

Before saying “I do,” make sure you are not only promising to love each other, but also promising to respect, communicate, protect and keep choosing each other.