Relationships are the same in many ways. When new, you delight in the excitement, the newness, the discovery. But, like a car, a marriage needs consistent upkeep to stay running at peak performance. Unfortunately, some people are more attentive to the maintenance of their cars than the maintenance of their marriage. And, far too many people decide to trade in the old model marriage for a new one when it starts running rough.
Cars come with a maintenance schedule.
There isn't a manual in the wedding trunk that tells us when to bring home flowers, or cook a special dinner, or take a romantic weekend away together. And there isn't a troubleshooting checklist to refer to when the marriage engine starts missing. Spontaneous negative outbursts are a symptom of underlying tensions and conflicts that should be addressed. If criticism continues after an incident has passed or is brought up again later, it shows that the issue has not been resolved. When one partner becomes defensive, it could mean he or she is beginning to build a wall to protect themselves from emotional damage as the relationship crumbles.