Nothing in life is guaranteed, and when it comes to the promise of “forever after,” marriage is no exception. To get a pulse on just what it takes to keep a happy and healthy marriage in check, we sat down with relationship expert Tara Caffelle, who’s been in the coaching field since 2008. Tara uses simple and effective strategies to help couples elevate their relationships and connect in ways that will prove to be both lasting and transformative. Says Tara, “…there are things, simple things we can do, to stay connected and together. None of it is complicated or even the “work” we are told it takes to keep a relationship alive. Yes, there is effort, but doesn’t have to be hard.” To help you on your relationship journey, read on for Tara’s 15 tips to “divorce-proof” your marriage!
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![Date nights A young couple enjoying drinks on a patio lean in toward one another, smiling](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Date nights
![Say goodbye when you part each day A couple smile and cuddle in bed together in the morning](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Say goodbye when you part each day
![Make time for a greeting when you reconnect at the end of the day A smiling blonde woman holds a glass of red wine and looks to her partner as they talk over dinner](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Make time for a greeting when you reconnect at the end of the day
![Acknowledge each other for your contributions A smiling woman embraces a man around his shoulders from behind, as he looks towards her](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Acknowledge each other for your contributions
![Put each other first A couple stand in a close embrace with their faces touching](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Put each other first
![Stop yourself from criticizing A man stands looking out a window, holding onto the frame with one hand, while a woman sits on a couch looking frustrated with her head in her hands](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Stop yourself from criticizing
![Skin-to-skin contact A couple look at each other lovingly as the woman reaches up to affectionately touch her partner’s face](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Skin-to-skin contact
![Determine what your love language is A smiling couple sit chatting over coffee and sandwiches](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Determine what your love language is
One source Tara recommends is 5lovelanguages.com. Here, you can "find your love language and then talk about how you prefer to show and receive love to get on the same loving page together.”
![Be proactive A couple sit, turned toward one another and holding hands, on a couch while a therapist looks on with a notepad and pen in hand](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Be proactive
![Ask your partner to weigh in on your life An overhead shot of a couple sitting on a white couch in their pyjamas, turned toward one another, smiling and chatting intimately](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Ask your partner to weigh in on your life
![Save your kindest words for home A couple stand together in the kitchen preparing a meal, smiling and looking toward one another](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Save your kindest words for home
![Create rituals of meaning A smiling couple raise their hands up as they look toward each other while driving along a road on a sunny day](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Create rituals of meaning
![Be a team A couple stand together outside, smiling](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Be a team
![Don’t divorce A couple stand together, facing forward and holding hands](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Don’t divorce
![Cheerlead A smiling couple in matching red puffy winter coats sit together outside](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Cheerlead
“When we have a relationship that is nurturing and caring, it ripples out to our lives; our children and extended family know they can lean into it and feel secure, our co-workers and employees are inspired by what we model, and we grow and continue to evolve in a place of freedom and support. Happy marriaging!”