How well do you know your partner’s friends? How well does (s)he know yours?
When merging life together as a married couple, often finances, homes, family, and children are discussed… but not always friendships. However, the friendships you have as individuals and as a couple can prove to be just as significant a part of your support system as family.
In fact, did you know that socializing as a couple has been found to enrich marriages?
It’s true! Respecting and investing in one another’s closest companions while intentionally seeking out mutual friendships can prove highly beneficial to a relationship. Couples who socialize together are shown to be happier and more satisfied overall. Watching your significant other interacting in groups provides a broader perspective of his/her personality. Making mutual friends can strengthen your bond as well as bring more enjoyment to your lives.
Connecting with other committed couples is especially valuable, as it provides an additional level of accountability and stability.
If you haven’t yet figured out how to navigate friendships as a couple, try to utilize the following tips:
- Consider your spouse when making plans. Before setting up a double date, for instance, be sure to run the activity past your significant other. Will (s)he be comfortable with the restaurant? The games? The time of night? Just like any other area of life, it is important to take his/her feelings and personality into account.
- Be intentional about scheduling. Part of prioritizing mutual friendships is logistics. Be it time out with a couple, or intentionally making space for you and your spouse to better get to know one another’s companions, it require additional effort to coordinate calendars when including your partner in the equation.
- Purposefully include your partner in conversations when out together. Be an active listener and offer him/her opportunities to contribute to the group’s dynamic as well. Help him or her to feel included and comfortable, especially when hanging out with your friends.
- Tune into your significant other’s feelings. When out and about, check in regularly to be sure (s)he is happy with the activity and comfortable staying as late or as long as intended.
- Discuss social events in advance and give one another the liberty to choose to sit out or participate. Communication is key! If there are several important dates (i.e.: weddings or holidays) coming up, be sure to share which ones you want to attend and to express if it’s especially important that your spouse is by your side for a particular occasion. Be supportive if your partner needs to decline some invitations due to other commitments, or simply for his/her mental health!
When getting to know one another’s friends and seeking out mutual couples to connect with, it is essential to take each other into account. Demonstrating patience and operating as a team is just as important in this area as any other. Utilize these five tips to better socialize as a couple and enrich your relationship today! take each other into account. Demonstrating patience and operating as a team is just as important in this area as any other. Utilize these five tips to better socialize as a couple and enrich your relationship today!
