The stages of marriage happen to every couple.  They usually happen in the same order.  Some couples have no idea what is in store and they fool themselves into thinking that the tingles and the butterflies will last forever; so when challenges come along, they are unprepared to cope. 

If you know what's coming then you can be mentally ready to stick to it.  Knowing that the stages of marriage you are going through are normal helps stave off divorce. 

Too often people expect their marriage to be different from the rest: "we'd never do that" or "not us - we are SO in love!"  People want the movie marriage with the happy ending.  What they don't see is what happens after the movie ends - so here it is in a nutshell.  The chart below shows relative happiness as it relates to each stage as time passes.

Stages of Marriage and Happiness

1. Newlyweds - passion is at a high, everything is great and ideal expectations that this will last forever are set
2. Honeymoon - everything is still great - your daily routine is taking shape
3. Adjustment - you are going to have to change - someone else's needs are ever present - you have to become less self centered 
4. Reality - this is for the rest of your life and your high expectations are not met
5. Resentment - sets in when unrealistic expectations are not met

At this stage is where you have to make very important choices.  Some people live out their lives and marriages in this stage of resentment and get bitter over time.  Others give up and get divorced.  These people never achieve or experience lasting true love.  But in a lasting happy marriage, the right choices are made.

1. Effort / Commitment - This is where a choice is made.  Spend the rest of your live resentful, give up and go from marriage to marriage or make the effort and go for the prize.
2. Everlasting Love (Consummate Love) - this stage of marriage is life long and the most rewarding.  At this stage, each spouse is more concerned with taking care of other's needs more than their own needs; and by doing so, each person's needs are met in a loving way. The passion and romance are back and here to stay.  This is the prize.
3. Blips - no marriage is perfect.  There are still disagreements and arguments.  But at this stage, they usually lack the anger, attacks and selfishness; arguments can be productive and learning experiences.
4. Marriage gets better and better for those who stick to it and make the effort to grow together.

God created marriage so we can grow and become better human beings.  Marriage can bring us closer to each other in a passionate loving life long relationship, it also brings us closer to God.  This is the prize and the final stage of marriage.