D. Ray Bardill, Ph.D., is a professor in the School of Social Work at Florida State University. He lives in Tallahassee, Florida, with his wife, Joyce. The Bardills have two adult daughters. But when the honeymoon is over and the battle of the toothpaste tube begins, something more is needed. As couples learn to deal with their differences, agape love is added to the relationship.
Agape love is transformative love.
It helps spouses deal with the inevitable conflicts and differing expectations in marriage. Then, as the commitment-based marriage grows and matures, philia bring couples into an even deeper, intimate relationship. Communication is filled with understanding and empathy. Philia has been called the treasure at the end of the maturity process. Allow your marriage to grow in commitment, and you will reap rich rewards along the way.