Build the Marriage You Want: Connection, Communication & Intentionality | Roger Gibson | Ep 36

This week on Marriage on the Daily, Julie B. is joined by Roger Gibson, Marriage and Family Pastor at Fellowship of the Parks in Fort Worth, Texas. Roger has been married to his wife, Carrie, for 34 years and was mentored by his father-in-law, legendary marriage ministry pioneer Gary Smalley. Roger and Julie talk about why the first 10 years of marriage are so important—and why couples shouldn’t expect a great marriage to simply happen because they found the “right person.” Instead, Roger says strong marriages are built through intentionality, practical relationship skills, and a willingness to keep learning how to love your spouse well. They unpack the “soulmate myth,” the unrealistic expectations social media can create, and why communication is about much more than exchanging information. Roger shares practical ways couples can stay connected even during busy seasons—including aiming for 20 minutes of meaningful connection throughout the day, sending a simple text to let your spouse know you’re thinking about them, and creating intentional rhythms that keep your relationship from drifting. Roger also shares lessons he learned from Gary Smalley, including the importance of choosing high honor and low anger, creating an “honor list” of the things you value about your spouse, and remembering that the differences that frustrate you today may be some of the same things that originally attracted you to each other. Ultimately, Roger encourages couples to keep their marriage in front of them—to invest in it, practice healthy relationship skills, prioritize friendship, and never stop having fun together. Because great marriages aren’t discovered; they’re built one intentional choice at a time.