Henri and Tara both worked to buy the many things they wanted: a house, fine furnishings, nice clothes, a luxury car, and so on. Henri even held two jobs for a while. Certainly, no one could fault their industriousness and hard work. In time, their marital affluence became the envy of all who knew them. After 7 years of marriage, they divorced. Their friends were surprised. “They had everything, why should they divorce?” Unfortunately, Henri and Tara didn’t have much of a relationship, except to say hello and goodbye as they passed on the way to and from work. In addition, they both worked so hard that they had no time for self-improvement. No self-improvement means no growth or change; this eventually leads to boredom with the relationship, and boredom often portends failure.

1. What suggestions do you have to help couples keep their relationship alive and growing? When they both work full time?

2. Why do you think that economic success alone was not enough to sustain Henri and Tara’s marriage?