15 Myths About Marriage People Have to Stop Believing

Nope, you won't get fat and live a life devoid of sex.

Believe it or not, marriage can be a wonderful thing! Instead of listening to naysayers, here are some people who know that true martial bliss is actually a thing.

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"I heard that every couple bickers and snaps at each other after a few years. Seven years later and we still don't do that. We argue sometimes but we don't consider it a sport." —Monica J., 38, Denver, Colorado

"I think the seven-year itch is a myth. We were fine at seven years. It was closer to 10 that we hit a rough patch." —Jeanne S., 34, Upstate New York

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"Since we got married nine years ago, my husband and I have experimented with more positions and toys, even watching porn together and trying out everything they do on screen. It's a total myth that married couples have boring sex — the more comfortable we've grown as a couple, the more risks we've taken during sex. Sex with my husband is far crazier and experimental than sex I had while I was dating." —Jennifer P., 35, Miami, Florida

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"I was told you lose motivation to look good. That's so untrue. If anything, my husband and I keep each other on track when it comes to eating healthy and working out." —Joanne P., 36, Los Angeles, California

"I skipped out on the gym far more times before I got married than after. Now, my husband nudges me in the morning when my alarm goes off and if I complain he squeezes my butt playfully and tells me how good I look. That motivates me even more to go do my squats!" —Ellen R., 32, Phoenix, Arizona

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"I remember being told that I would do anything to get out of the house; activities like ice fishing would make sense because at least you weren't at home. I haven't found that. I want my wife with me all the time." —James B., 38, Long Island, New York

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"I was always told that sex would diminish over time. I don't see that ever happening!" —Kim B., 41, Long Island, New York

"That, after a year or two, sex happens only on birthdays, anniversaries, and to make a baby. False." — Brian C., 33, Carmel, New York

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"Some of the biggest fights I've ever had with my husband revolve around our kids and the different beliefs we have in how they should be raised. That doesn't mean that kids don't make your relationship stronger and more amazing, because I believe they do. But if anyone thinks having a child will 'save' their relationship, I think they need to know that raising kids is hard work. It can bring out a side of you or your spouse you never knew. I recommend making sure your relationship is stronger than nails before you have kids." —Debra C., 29, Phoenix, Arizona

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"I was always taught not to go to bed angry. But when you're married and situations arise that can't be easily resolved in one day, it's unrealistic and even annoying to be told that you need to patch things up before bedtime. I've found a better solution is to check in with my husband before bed after we've had a fight and simply say, 'I know we're both still angry. I hope we can talk about this tomorrow when we're calm. I love you.' A simple statement like that makes us both feel less defensive and it creates a better situation for us to talk the following day." —Lisa F., 38, New York

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"Everyone made it sound like life was over once you got married. I was told I'd never see my friends or do anything alone ever again. Since I love my alone time, this scared me a bit. But what I found out was this: You make the marriage you want. Maybe the people who gave me that advice shaped their marriage in a certain way, but that doesn't mean I have to be like them. My husband and I love nothing more than spending a Sunday morning doing our own thing. It gives us even more to talk about when we hang out that night." —Dena J., 28, Westchester, New York

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"I always thought women had their roles in a marriage and men had theirs, based on what I saw growing up, when women did the cooking and cleaning, and men went to work and then came home and sat their asses down until it was time to eat. I was determined that that wasn't going to be my life and marriage and it really wasn't that hard. It might be that times have changed, but I also worked hard to keep my job and share the housework." —Anna Maria C., 66, Queens, New York

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"During our first few years as a married couple, I remember thinking, 'Why do I have to tell you why I'm mad, especially when it's the same topic and issue over and over again?' I remember feeling like my husband didn't care about me and didn't care to know me. But as you get older and have been married longer, you begin to realize that some things are not what they seem to be. My husband would overextend and do other things because he didn't understand how to fix everything I felt — he would bend over backward in other areas. Little by little, I realized you can't beat someone over the head if they're doing other things to be a good partner. That's where the compromising starts." —Linda V., 47, New York

From: Redbook
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