Did you know that we have a tremendous amount of influence on our partner in a relationship? And did you know that our partner has a tremendous amount of influence on us?

So if this is true, the question then becomes how can we use this tremendous influence for the good of each other and for the good of the relationship?

Check out one of my favorite quotes about marriage:

"When you marry someone, you don't marry one person, you marry three. The person you think they are, the person they really are, and the person they will become as a result of marrying you."

Ouch, that last part catches you by surprise and can make you squirm a bit, can it not?

Who has your partner become as a result of marrying you? Who is your partner becoming as a result of marrying you?

Who have you become as a result of marrying your partner? Who are you becoming as a result of marrying your partner?

One defintion of love

I believe that one definition of love is to commit yourself to helping your partner become the very best version of themselves that they can be.

Do you know the strengths and weaknesses of your partner? Are you encouraging the strengths and helping lessen the weaknesses?

Jeff Herring

Jeff is a marriage and family therapist, singles and relationship coach, mentor coach, speaker, syndicated relationship columnist and author.

Jeff has a full time private practice in Tallahassee in which he specializes in couples, teen and parent counseling. He also is a relationship coach specializing in working with couples and singles. Some of his professional activities include:

==> Internationally syndicated relationship columnist through Knight-Ridder/Tribune Media Services, with a weekly readership of over 10 million worldwide

==> Sought after speaker for organizations, associations, churches, and corporations

==>Twice weekly appearances on The Steve and Sara Show on Magic 107.1

==> Author of "Keep the Changes: 52 Tools for Successful Living" a collection of his best columns, as well as several e-books including "How to Create a Passionate and Loving Relationship.........Forever," "How to Beat the BOZOs: Dealing with difficult people without becoming one," and "Tame Your Teen: THE survival guide for parenting your teenager.

==> Founder and CEO of TheArticleGuy.com

==> Founder and CEO of SecretsofGreatRelationships.com

==> Founder and CEO of ParentingYourTeeanger.com

==> Founder and CEO of ToolsforSuccessfulLiving.com

==> President of BuildingYourIdealPractice.com

==> President of ConsciousDatingTallahassee.com