1 True Talks
1 True Talks
From "I Do" to Forever: How to Maintain a Strong Foundation Beyond the Honeymoon
What happens when the honeymoon phase fades and real life begins? The journey to lasting love requires more than just surviving the transition—it demands intentional cultivation of a relationship rooted in something deeper than feelings alone.
Marriage isn't about perfection but partnership. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 13, we explore how patience, kindness, and selflessness become the foundation stones of a relationship that withstands life's pressures. When dishes pile up and work hours stretch long, the fairy tale feeling may shift, but that's precisely when true intimacy has the opportunity to grow. Couples who successfully navigate this transition understand that love expressed in mundane moments—choosing to serve, listen, and stay connected—builds something far more beautiful than the initial excitement.
The metaphor of marriage as a garden reveals profound truth about relationship maintenance. Like tending plants that need consistent care, marriages require daily attention from both partners. Small gestures matter enormously: a husband leaving encouraging sticky notes on his wife's coffee cup, couples asking heart-level questions instead of just discussing logistics, partners praying together rather than just for each other. These seemingly minor actions water the relationship garden, preventing the weeds of miscommunication and distance from taking root. Even physical intimacy, designed by God as a sacred unifying experience, thrives when approached with intentionality and grace.
What distinguishes marriages that flourish from those that wither? The key lies in Ecclesiastes 4:12—"A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." When God forms that crucial third strand, couples access grace beyond their limited human capacity. Join us next week as we explore practical approaches to date nights that keep your God-centered marriage vibrant. Have questions or topics you'd like us to discuss? We'd love to hear from you!
Hi, I'm Renee Richel, the founder and president of 1 True Match. I'm here to help you find and cultivate the love of your life. For over a decade I've dedicated my life to the importance, purpose and dynamic of human relationships. My team and I are disciplined by faith, love and integrity to help our clients find the quality relationship they've always dreamt of. Each week, I will be sharing the tools and tips I've learned that have rooted my success as a matchmaker with other leaders around the world.
Renee Richel:Hello, Loves, welcome back. I am so excited about today's topic From I do to forever how to maintain a strong foundation beyond the honeymoon. Before we dive into today's talk, I just want to say I hope you had a phenomenal and blessed Easter. I pray you spent time in God's presence, surrounded by people who love you, and that you were reminded of the beauty and power of the resurrection of Jesus. There's something about Easter that feels like a reset. It's a gentle reminder that, because Jesus is alive, we can walk in new life, new joy and new strength in every part of our lives, including our marriages. So today we're going to talk about what happens after the wedding bells fade, after the honeymoon photos are posted and the routine of daily life begins. How do we keep building a godly marriage that lasts? Whether you're in a season of newlywed bliss, learning to adjust to marriage, or working through a rough patch, or preparing your heart for your future spouse, today's episode is for you.
Renee Richel:So many couples come into our community with the most beautiful wedding stories and dreamy beginnings, but they all say the same thing At some point the spark of the honeymoon fade gives way to the reality of everyday life. One couple shared with me most recently that a few months into their relationship, the wife found herself feeling a little overwhelmed. Dishes were piling up, they were both working long hours and that fairytale feeling started to shift. It wasn't about a major conflict, but just the weight of life's responsibilities. She looked around and thought this is marriage. But it led to an honest, grace-filled conversation between them and a deeper understanding that love is more than just a feeling. It's a daily commitment.
Renee Richel:1 Corinthians 13 reminds us that love is patient, kind and not self-seeking. Marriage isn't about perfection, it's about partnership, and it's in those mundane moments when you're choosing to serve, listen and stay connected, real intimacy begins to grow. Over the years, as a matchmaker, I have seen such a difference between couples who invite Jesus into their marriage and those who try to do it in their own strength. When Christ is in the center, you're not just relying on each other's limited love. You're anchored in God's unlimited grace. One of my favorite verses of marriage is in Ecclesiastes 4:12. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. That third strand, god, is what strengthens the entire bond. I often tell couples don't just pray for your spouse, pray with your spouse. Allow God to lead your conversations, your decisions, your healing. There's a different level of peace that comes when your foundation is built on him. It's a peace that only he provides.
Renee Richel:Emotional intimacy doesn't happen overnight. It's built through intentional communication. One couple I worked with realized they had been talking every day but not really hearing each other. They were managing the logistics of life bills, schedules, errands but they weren't checking in emotionally. So I gave them the challenge ask each other one heart level question every day what made you feel love today or what's something that's been weighing on you? They came back and told me those conversations sparked a closeness they haven't felt in months. James 1:19 tells us to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. Listening with the goal of understanding, not fixing, is one of the greatest gifts you can give in a marriage. Something I love reminding couples of is that pursuit shouldn't stop after the wedding. Romance in marriage doesn't have to be grand gestures. It's often the little things that say I still choose you. One of the sweetest stories I heard recently came from a husband who started writing one sentence of encouragement on a sticky note every morning before work and leaving it on his wife's coffee cup. She told me it became her favorite part of every day. Whether it's a handwritten note, an intentional compliment or simply being present, small efforts or acts of service go a long way.
Renee Richel:Marriage is a garden and it flourishes when you keep watering it. At the beginning, the garden of a marriage is often full of excitement and beauty, just like the early days of planting something new. But over time, if we don't tend to it, the weeds of life, stress, distractions or misunderstandings can creep in. Marriage needs consistent care, attention and practice, just as plants need the right amount of water, sunlight and nourishment need the right amount of water, sunlight and nourishment. A marriage thrives when both partners actively invest in it. When we water our marriage with love, kindness and intentional effort, we watch it grow and blossom in ways we didn't expect. Just like a garden, it takes time and patience. Sometimes we may face seasons of drought, but if we keep showing up and continue to invest, our marriage will flourish in the long run. A garden doesn't grow on its own, and neither does a lasting marriage. It takes daily care, a willingness to nurture and, most importantly, a heart committed to seeing it thrive. When we prioritize our marriage and keep tending to it, it will bear the fruit of connection, intimacy and deep trust will bear the fruit of connection, intimacy and deep trust.
Renee Richel:Now let's talk about physical intimacy, because, yes, god cares about that part of our marriage too. I've had so many couples open up about the challenges in this area. Sometimes life gets in the way Kids, stress, exhaustion and that physical connection gets pushed to the background. But physical intimacy was designed by God to be sacred and a unifying experience. It's not taboo or shameful. Sex is a beautiful thing, a gift from the Lord meant to be enjoyed with your spouse in a safe and wholly confined of marriage. Genesis 2:25 says they were both naked and they felt no shame. That's about more than just physical vulnerability. It's about safety, trust and closeness when couples make time to nurture both emotion and physical connections, their bond deepens. And if you're in a season where this area feels strained, I just want to encourage you. It's okay to talk about it. It's okay to pray about it. God isn't uncomfortable with your intimacy. He created it. Bring him into that space and be patient with each other as you rebuild that connection.
Renee Richel:At the end of the day, marriage isn't about having it all figured out. It's about two people who are willing to keep showing up, growing, forgiving and loving each other with the grace they've received from God. Whether you're months or decades in, there's always more to discover about your spouse and more that God wants to do in your relationship. Keep inviting him in, keep having the hard and holy conversations and keep choosing each other. Thank you for spending time with me today.
Renee Richel:If this episode spoke to you, share it with your friends, leave us a review or tag us @ 1 True Match on Instagram. We love hearing your stories. I'm praying that your marriage would be full of joy, wisdom and unwavering intimacy rooted in Christ. Until next time, keep loving boldly and continuously, allowing God to lead the way. Next week, we are going to talk about date night and beyond keeping the spark alive in a God-centered marriage. I'm going to love and leave you and hope you have a blessed week. I cannot wait for our next chat. It's been another great talk on this episode of 1 True Talks by Renee Richel. I look forward to our next chat. Please write in your questions and comments so I can be sure to talk about whatever it is you want to discuss in our next upcoming episode. Lots of Love, God Bless. XOXO.