Keys to a successful marriage

Keys to a successful marriage

By Jessie Schirrick Posted February 18, 2015

Three couples who have been married for varying lengths of time were asked how they have maintained their marriages.

Kelly Jensen, a wife of three years, does not sugarcoat the struggles of an eternal partnership.

“Being a wife is the hardest thing I’ve ever done and every day I have to try in order to make it work. If I didn’t marry my best friend there is no way I could make it. Everyone thinks you are just ‘married’ and it’s not any different than being in a committed dating relationship but it’s completely different,” said Kelly Jensen.

She did offer some sound advice.

“The only way to make it work is to always try, the moment it becomes just another title is the moment it will start to fail,” said Kelly Jensen.

Kelly Jensen’s husband, Channing Jensen, agreed wholeheartedly that marriage requires a lot of effort and proceeded to share his opinion about the marriage mentality of up-and-coming marriage aspirants.

“It’s a tough venture that requires a lot of maintenance. Kelly and I are always working to strengthen our bond. I find it odd that the new generation is in such a hurry to get married because it’s not all sunshine and rainbows; it’s a lot of hard work and compromise,” said Channing Jensen.

The Hanninens, a married couple of 12 years, claim to owe much of their marital success to sharing the same opinions and working as a single unit.

“We have a good relationship because we have the same views on life and raising children,” said Trent Hanninen.

His wife, Adrianne Hanninen, followed up with, “We are devoted to each other and our family. We stay honest with each other and make our relationship a priority. We conquer life as a team and keep God at the center of our marriage.”

Maria Mendoza, a wife of 21 years, had quite a bit to say about the matter.

“There have been a lot of tears, love, regrets, happiness, doubts, insecurities, and joy. Anyone who tells you they don’t fight in their marriage is not being truthful. When a married couple quits fighting, one of the two people has quit caring and that is why they no longer fight,” said Mendoza.


Mendoza revealed the methods of a lasting marriage used by her and her husband.

“Marriage requires that you put someone else’s needs before your own, hoping that the other person will do the same. The couple must make a bond that cannot be broken or interrupted by family, friends, or the opinions of others. A marriage cannot succeed if trust or communication is lacking,” said Mendoza.

Mendoza concluded on a very positive note, “I love to call marriage a never-ending roller coaster ride; There will always be highs, lows, and smooth rides in between, but in the end, it will always be worth the ride.”