1. Relationships. Relationships take courage, trust, loyalty and a willingness to sacrifice for one another.
2. Choices. According to Dumbledore, the importance of your choices is that they can show who you truly are. Dumbledore often focuses on choices and how they can determine your character over the long term.
3. Unfairness. Life can be unfair. Think about the many times Harry and his friends were treated unfairly, unkindly or disrepectfully by the Dursleys, Snape, Malfoy, Umbridge, and others. Don't give up when tough times hit your marriage. In the face of unfair and faulty decisions, expect better from one another.
4. Wonder. Be aware of and increase your sense of wonder in one another and in the world around you.
5. Friendships. Having friends both as individuals and as a couple is very important. However, when it comes to friends, expect the best and prepare for the worst.
6. Goals. You can achieve your goals together by practicing and hard work.
7. Protection. You can be protected forever by the deep love you have for one another.
8. Courage. Courage is not only standing up to your enemies, but standing up to one another and to your friends if necessary.
9. First Impressions. Get past first appearances and realize that some people are great, and some are awful. There's not much you can do about how people are.
10. Second Chances. Everyone needs second chances.
11. Love. Love is the source of your personal power.
12. Fears. Facing your fears will help you identify, overcome, or transform them.
13. Feelings. You may try to hide your feeelings, but hiding them doesn't make them go away.
14. Ups and Downs. Every relationship will have ups and downs. Just be willing to work together for the good of your relationship, and to make up after you have an argument.
15. Change. Change can be a positive force in your lives.
16. Acting versus Reacting. Don't be afraid to act on your problems and issues instead of just reacting to them.
17. Patience. Together, you must learn patience and wisdom as you deal with prejudice, death, greed, and other negative experiences.
18. Gifts. You empower one another when you invite each other to discover and develop your own special gifts.
19. Self-Giving Love. Fairness, loyalty and goodness are the result of self-giving love.
20. Humor. Don't take yourselves too seriously.
21. Truth. Call a spade a spade. Don't dance around a topic. However, truth in your marriage can be a double edged sword. Truth can be both beautiful and terrible. Truth needs to be used with caution.
22. And Finally. The best is yet to come.
Comments From Readers:
"We agree with your comment, The only lesson that we would add to their list is preparedness. Just like in life (and when fighting Death Eaters and other evil forces) we believe in the critical importance of preparing for your marriage and setting this most important of relationships up for success. Think of preparing for your marriage (not just your wedding) as an investment in your future together."Source: Heather del Villano, CouplesQuestions.com
