Making "I Do" Last a Lifetime
by Claire Cloninger
Published by Multnomah Publishers (January 2007 Release)
Click on book
cover to order
at Amazon.com
Reviewed by Sarah van Ingen
In a note to us, author Claire Cloninger asks if we've "ever had a doubt that romance and marriage could really make it all the way to forever, hand in hand?"
With such a high divorce rate, chances are that many of us are filled with doubt and apprehension about our decision to tie the knot. Instead of preaching about the ideal, ivory-castle marriage, Cloninger shows us what a beautiful, lasting marriage looks like through examples from her own life and the lives of her close friends and family.
How does she accomplish such a feat? Cloninger takes each phrase from the most common marriage vow and considers how these phrases can be lived out so that the "I do" lasts till the "death do us part."
Clearly, Cloninger is a woman of deep faith. Though her book is written from a Christian perspective, I believe men and women of all faiths will find insight and inspiration in her writing. What makes this book so inspiring is just how practical it is. You will read about creating a fair-fight plan to deal with conflict. You will learn how "for worse" can transform into "for better" if partners engage themselves in productive (not petty) struggle. Through examples, you will see the impact of honoring the dreams, effort, and courage of a spouse. There's even a great suggestion for jumpstarting intimacy by giving each partner thirty minutes of entirely uninterrupted sharing.
After reading Making "I Do" Last a Lifetime, you might find that the marriage vow never looked so enticing or promising. You might just find yourself inspired to enjoy each day of your "I do" to its fullest!
Armchair Interviews says: This "I do...tell death do us part" concept IS inspiring.