The Intimate Connection: Secrets to a Lifelong Romance

by Kevin Leman

Overview

Creating a happy, lifelong marriage is about much more than physical compatibility. It's about a lifestyle of 24-7 intimacy that bonds couples in a mutually satisfying relationship. In The Intimate Connection, bestselling marriage expert Dr. Kevin Leman explores key secrets to the love life couples crave. He helps readers

- understand each other's needs, backgrounds, and personalities (and how those factors influence every marital interaction)
- talk so their spouse really listens
- turn negative game-playing into positive behaviors that help couples grow closer
- create deep, long-lasting intimacy that's divorce-proof

Whether couples are new to marriage or have been married a long time, Dr. Leman's time-tested strategies will create the kind of exciting intimacy, mutual respect, and fulfilling communication that will keep husbands and wives in each other's arms for a lifetime.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780800734947
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	04/30/2019
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	663,786
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Dr. Kevin Leman is an internationally known psychologist, radio and television personality, and speaker. He has made house calls through hundreds of radio and television programs, such as Fox & Friends, The View, Fox's The Morning Show, Today, Morning in America, The 700 Club, CBS's The Early Show, Janet Parshall, CNN, and Focus on the Family, and has served as a contributing family psychologist to Good Morning America. A bestselling and award-winning author, Dr. Leman has written more than 50 books, including The Birth Order Book and Have a New Kid by Friday. Dr. Leman and his wife, Sande, live in Tucson, Arizona. They have five children and four grandchildren.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 15

Introduction: How to Get Now What You Had Back Then 15

Secret #1 Acts of Love Create an Unbreakable Bond 19

If you want to change your spouse, try changing yourself first.

Secret #2 Outside Forces Have Shaped Your Relationship (without Your Permission) 33

Three societal factors that greatly impact how you think, feel, and relate to your spouse.

Secret #3 Preconceived Notions Matter 49

What your mom and dad did influences you far more than you know.

Bonus Section: Be Your Own Counselor 59

Secret #4 There's No Reason to Settle for Blah, Less-Than, or a Battlefield 63

The top four reasons couples feel disconnected … and what you can do about it.

Secret #5 Yup, Men and Women Are Different 75

Exploring your spouse's needs and bow you can best meet them.

Secret #6 Sex Is Important … but Not for the Reasons You Might Think 97

How this culminating act of intimacy reflects personal views and needs and impacts marital health.

Secret #7 To Love Your Spouse, You Have to Know Who You Married 107

Understand birth order and you can use it to your shared benefit.

Secret #8 Clashes Feel Less Personal When You Understand Your Partner's Personality 121

How personality types influence the way each of you views life and your relationship.

Secret #9 To Truly Know Your Partner, You Have to Understand Their Life Mantra 135

The seven "I only count in life when …" lifestyles and how they influence your loved one's responses.

Bonus Section: Want to Better Understand Your Spouse? 165

Try these revealing questions for date nights and couples' getaways.

Secret #10 Feelings Pull You Together; Judgments Push You Apart 169

The five things you need to know about feelings, getting behind your spouse's eyes, and how to be good and angry.

Bonus Section: How to Find a Professional Counselor 191

Secret #11 Marriage Isn't a One-on-One Competition; It's a Team Sport 193

How to identify negative moves in six power games and turn them into positive plays.

Secret #12 For Your Spouse to Truly Hear You, You Have to Talk in a Way That Encourages Them to Listen 213

Why miscommunication happens, and bow you can cure it before it causes trouble.

Bonus Section: 3-1-1 Couple Workout 241

Improve listening skills and work out relational kinks with no fighting.

Secret #13 You Can Have the Marriage You Deserve 243

Seven ways to take your marriage off autopilot and make it the best it can be.

Conclusion: Your Intimate Connection Awaits 261

Experience the mutual satisfaction and excitement of two truly becoming one.

The "I Promise" Challenge 265

Notes 267

About Dr. Kevin Leman 269

Resources Dr. Kevin Leman 271