The anatomy of a great marriage

5. Fun
What's your idea of fun? Whether you and your partner love to spend time outdoors or snuggled up at home in front of a roaring fire, find time to indulge in the things you love. Can't find the time to schedule a weekend getaway? Try to incorporate a sense of spontaneity into everyday tasks. Who says grownups can't have a pillow fight in the middle of a department store's linen section? OK -- well, we don't advise you do anything that'll get you kicked out of the mall, but you get the idea.

6. Humour
They say that laughter is the best medicine and there's something so satisfying about sharing a hearty belly laugh with your husband or wife. Build a home that hears laughter every day -- maybe each of you takes turns providing a "joke of the day" that's told every night at dinner.

7. Mutual nurturance
No matter how old we get, we never really lose our need to be nurtured and looked after. Nurture your partner's wellbeing -- physical, mental and emotional. Encourage your spouse to strive for the things that he or she wants to achieve. Be your partner's biggest supporter, their number one fan.

8. Shared dreams
Common goals are important to a marriage. Establish what those goals are and work together to achieve them. Do you both want to retire early? Start a business? Travel extensively? Whatever dreams you share, keep them in clear view, talk about them regularly and develop a strategy (if necessary) for turning those dreams into reality.

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