The 4 Seasons of Marriage: Secrets to a Lasting Marriage

Spring, summer, winter, fall. Marriages are perpetually in a state of transition, continually moving from one season to another―perhaps not annually, as in nature, but just as certainly and consistently. Sometimes we find ourselves in winter―discouraged, detached, and dissatisfied; other times, we experience springtime with its openness, hope, and anticipation. On other occasions, we bask in the warmth of summer―comfortable, relaxed, enjoying life. And then comes fall with its uncertainty, negligence, and apprehension. The cycle repeats itself many times throughout the life of a marriage, just as the seasons repeat themselves in nature.

The seasons of marriage come and go. Each one holds the potential for emotional health and happiness, and each one has its challenges. The purpose of this book is to describe these recurring seasons of marriage, help you and your spouse identify which season your marriage is in, and show you how to enhance your marriage in all four seasons.

Chapman, author of the longstanding megaseller The Five Love Languages, uses his years of marriage counseling and leading marriage seminars as the basis for his thesis that marriages repeatedly go through periods that can be characterized by the seasons of the year. He begins by describing winter, times when marriages are marked by "coldness, harshness, and bitterness." Spring is "where most marriages begin," while summer is filled with fun. He compares an autumn marriage to "the falling of the leaves." Chapman offers detailed explanations of the emotions, attitudes and actions of the marriage seasons as well as the pros and cons of each. The book's second section provides seven strategies to enhance or change the marriage seasons, from dealing with past failures and speaking your spouse's love language to "maximizing differences" and becoming a positive influence. Chapman also specifically addresses how to improve a marriage where a spouse has no desire to change. While it's valuable to have this information in one place, this book isn't different from what Chapman has written, said and taught many times before. Clear writing, tested strategies and good stories are here, but new revelations are not. (Sept.)
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Dr. Gary Chapman is the author of the perennial best seller "The Five Love Languages" (over 2.5 million copies sold) and numerous other marriage and family books. He is a senior associate pastor, an internationally known speaker, and host of "A Growing Marriage, " a syndicated radio program heard on more than 100 stations across North America. He and his wife, Karolyn, live in North Carolina.

Which season of marriage are you in?
Marriages are in a perpetual state of transition, continually moving from one season to another―perhaps not annually, as in nature, but certainly and consistently. Sometimes we find ourselves in winter―distant, discouraged, and dissatisfied; other times we experience springtime―filled with hope, openness, and anticipation. Sometimes we bask in the warmth of summer―satisfied and comfortable, simply enjoying life together. In times of fall, negligence and uncertainty creep in, leaving us feeling unsettled and apprehensive.

The cycle repeats itself many times throughout the life of a marriage, just as the seasons in nature repeat themselves. Each season presents its own unique challenges, and each holds the potential for emotional health and happiness. This book will help you and your spouse identify which season your marriage is currently in, give you a common language with which to discuss your marriage, and provide practical strategies that will help you strengthen and enhance your relationship.

Dr. Gary Chapman is the author of the best-selling 'The Five Love Languages' (more than 4 million copies sold) and The Four Seasons of Marriage. He is the director of Marriage and Family Life Consultants, Inc.; an internationally known speaker; and the host of A Love Language Minute, a syndicated radio program heard on more than 100 stations across North America. He and his wife, Karolyn, live in North Carolina.